Before adopting the world religions of Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, the Turks had an ancient original faith, Tengrism, based on their belief in Tengri, the god of heaven and the supreme power that exists in the entire world around them. It probably originated in the late II – early I millennium BC, but no later than the V-III centuries BC.
Tengrism is not a religion, but a faith and philosophy. Unlike the religions created by prophets and their followers, Tengrism arose naturally on the basis of the folk worldview. A peculiar and characteristic feature of this faith is the kinship of man with the environment and nature. The basis of Tengrism is that a person does not have superiority over nature, animals and plants, but is a part of it. Particular attention was paid to the in-depth study of the sky, natural phenomena, stars, and the solar equinox.
For the Crimean Tatars and other Turkic peoples, Tengrism played an important role in their cultural and social life. The faith in Tengri was the basis of their worldview, reflected in rituals, ceremonies and celebrations.
The Tengri beliefs showed great respect for nature, which was protected by Tengri. Forests, mountains, rivers, and other natural formations were seen as sacred places, and their spirits were often seen as messengers of Tengri. This belief also had shrines, altars, and sacred rituals aimed at establishing contact with the heavenly forces.
A distinctive feature of Tengrism was the distinction of three zones of the universe: heavenly, earthly, and underground. The concept of three worlds in Tengrism shows the importance of the relationship between different levels of reality and the need for harmonious interaction between them to ensure the well-being and development of all living things.
Throughout history, Crimean Tatars have been subjected to various influences, including Islamization as a result of conquests and intercultural interactions. This has led to a weakening of Tengri beliefs, but some elements of it can still be observed in modern Crimean Tatar culture and traditions.
For example:
- Tengri symbols are still used by some Turkic-speaking peoples. In particular, the Crimean Tatar flag is blue – the color of the eternal clear sky – Tengri.
- Some holidays of the Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks, such as Navrez, Hıdırellez, and Derviza, include rituals aimed at honoring nature or honoring spirits and saints.
- Crimean legends and Crimean Tatar fairy tales often include elements of Tengri mythology. This may be reflected in characters, events, or symbols associated with gods and natural forces.
Although Tengrism is not the basis of Crimean Tatar beliefs today, it remains an important part of their history and cultural heritage.
Read about the elements of Tengrism in the customs and traditions of the Crimean Tatars in our next publications.