Publishing
In-depth analyses and studies
30 published articles
15 min read
Mythology
Turkic cosmology offers a structured vision of the universe, organized around three superimposed and interconnected worlds. This conception, shared by Turco-Mongol peoples, forms the foundation of their spirituality and shamanic practices.
12 min read
Mythology
The concept of Kut is fundamental in ancient Turkic thought. This term designates both a spiritual vital force and the celestial mandate granted by Tengri to worthy rulers. Understanding Kut means grasping the essence of political and spiritual legitimacy in traditional Turkic societies.
10 min read
Culture
Nevruz (or Nowruz), celebrated on March 21, the spring equinox, is the oldest festival of Turkic and Iranian peoples. For Turks, this date holds particular mythological significance, linked to the legend of Ergenekon and the renewal of the Turkic nation.
12 min read
Origins
Turkic peoples constitute one of humanity's great ethnolinguistic families, extending today from the Balkans to eastern Siberia. Their origins trace back to the steppes of Central Asia, where they forged a distinctive identity marked by nomadism, pastoralism, and a unique spirituality centered on the sky.
16 min read
History
The Huns represent one of the most formidable nomadic forces in Eurasian history. Their exact origin remains debated, but their impact on world history is undeniable. Their relationship with Turkic peoples, though controversial, makes them an essential subject for understanding Turkic origins.
14 min read
History
The Uyghur Empire (744-840) succeeded the Göktürks as the dominant power in the Central Asian steppes. This empire distinguished itself through its adoption of Manichaeism and the development of a sophisticated written culture that had lasting influence on Turkic and Mongol civilizations.
15 min read
Mythology
Tengri, the God of the Eternal Sky, holds the supreme place in the spirituality of Turkic and Mongol peoples. His cult, Tengrism, represents one of the oldest forms of belief in a unique and transcendent god, long before the great monotheistic religions.
14 min read
Culture
The Epic of Manas is the national epic of the Kyrgyz people and one of the longest epics in the world. With over 500,000 verses in its most complete versions, it far surpasses the Iliad and Odyssey combined. This monument of Turkic oral literature celebrates the hero Manas and his descendants.
12 min read
Mythology
The Altai, a mountain range at the heart of Central Asia, is considered the cradle of Turco-Mongol peoples and a place of profound spiritual significance. These majestic mountains have shaped the mythology, beliefs, and identity of steppe peoples for millennia.
10 min read
Culture
Turkic culture developed a rich system of sacred symbols reflecting its cosmological vision and fundamental values. From the grey wolf to tribal tamgas, these symbols continue to embody the identity of Turkic peoples across centuries.
14 min read
Mythology
The funeral rituals of ancient Turkic peoples reveal their conception of death and the afterlife. These complex practices aimed to ensure the deceased's passage to the spirit world and maintain harmony between the living and the dead.
12 min read
Mythology
Ancestor worship held a central place in the spirituality of ancient Turks. This veneration of the deceased ensured continuity between generations and maintained links between the world of the living and that of the spirits.
16 min read
History
The Seljuks represent a major turning point in Turkic history: the encounter between nomadic steppe traditions and Islam. This dynasty, which dominated the Middle East from the 11th to 13th centuries, shaped a unique synthesis between Turkic heritage and Islamic civilization.
14 min read
History
The Avars were one of the first Turco-Mongol peoples to establish a lasting empire in Europe. Their khaganate, which dominated the Carpathian Basin from the 6th to 9th centuries, profoundly marked Central European history.
18 min read
History
The Göktürk Empire (552-744 CE) represents the first historically documented Turkic state. Its importance extends beyond the political realm: the Göktürks created the first Turkic alphabet, left the oldest texts in the Turkic language, and established a model of state organization that would influence all subsequent Turkic empires.
15 min read
History
The Khazar Empire, which dominated the steppes between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea from the 7th to 10th centuries, presents a unique case in Turkic peoples' history. While their partial conversion to Judaism is famous, their Tengrist roots deserve particular attention.
14 min read
Mythology
The shamanic journey constitutes the heart of Turkic spiritual practice. This ecstatic experience allowed the shaman to cross the boundaries between worlds to communicate with spirits, heal the sick, and accompany the souls of the deceased.
13 min read
Mythology
The kam (or qam, baksı) was the religious specialist of ancient Turkic societies. As an intermediary between humans and spirits, he played a central role in the spiritual, medical, and social life of his community.
14 min read
Languages
The Orkhon alphabet, also called Turkic runic script or Göktürk alphabet, is the first writing system created specifically to transcribe a Turkic language. Used from the 6th to 10th centuries, it constitutes an exceptional testimony to the thought and history of the ancient Turks.
11 min read
Mythology
The Turkish shaman's instruments were not merely ritual objects but living entities, charged with spiritual power. Each element of the shamanic arsenal carried cosmic significance and enabled communication with spirits.
12 min read
Mythology
In ancient Turkic spirituality, nature was populated by countless spirits collectively called Yer-Su (Earth-Water). These entities inhabited mountains, rivers, springs, and forests, forming a sacred network with which humans had to maintain harmonious relations.
14 min read
Origins
The legend of Ergenekon is one of the most important founding myths of the Turkic peoples. It tells the story of a mythical valley surrounded by iron mountains, where the ancestors of the Turks found refuge after a devastating defeat.
12 min read
Mythology
Shamanism holds a central place in the traditional spirituality of Turkic peoples. Long before the arrival of major religions, shamans (kam or baksi) served as intermediaries between the human world and that of spirits, ensuring cosmic balance and community health.
13 min read
Culture
Alpamys Batyr is one of the most celebrated heroes of the Turco-Mongol epic tradition. His story, orally transmitted for centuries, is particularly popular among Kazakhs, Uzbeks, and Karakalpaks. This epic illustrates the fundamental values of steppe peoples.
14 min read
Culture
The Oghuzname is the founding epic of the Oghuz Turks, ancestors of the Turks of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. This epic narrative recounts the exploits of Oghuz Khan, the conquering hero who gave his name to this group of peoples.
10 min read
Culture
Asena is the mythical she-wolf who, according to legend, saved and raised the ancestor of the Turkic peoples. This founding myth explains the central place of the grey wolf (Bozkurt) in Turkic symbolism and identity.
16 min read
Culture
The Book of Dede Korkut (Kitab-ı Dede Korkut) is the masterpiece of Oghuz Turkic epic literature. This collection of twelve heroic tales, compiled between the 14th and 15th centuries, preserves oral traditions dating back to the pre-Islamic era and offers a vivid portrait of medieval Turkic society.
11 min read
Mythology
Lake Baikal, called the "Sacred Sea" (Dalai in Mongolian, Tengis in Old Turkic), holds an exceptional place in the spirituality of Turco-Mongol peoples. This lake, the deepest and oldest in the world, has been venerated for millennia as a divine entity.
12 min read
Mythology
Ötüken holds a unique place in Turkic spirituality. This forested region in central Mongolia was considered the sacred heart of the Turkic world, the place where divine power resided that legitimized the khagans' rule.
20 min read
Origins
The history of Turkic peoples is inseparable from their great migrations across Eurasia. From their original homeland in the Altai and the steppes of Central Asia, the Turks dispersed in all directions, founding empires and transforming the societies they encountered.