Tengrism
The word Tengri first appeared in Chinese chronicles during the 4th century BC as the sky god of the Xiongnu. Ancient Turkic and Mongolic languages used various forms like Tengeri, Tangara, and Tanri to describe this concept. The name Tengri derives from words meaning daybreak or dawn. Some scholars propose that the term ultimately originates as a loanword from Proto-Yeniseian *tıngır- meaning high. Stefan Georg suggests this linguistic connection highlights the ancient roots of the belief system among Eurasian nomads. The current spelling Tengrism was introduced into scientific circulation by French scholar Jean-Paul Roux in 1956. Earlier usage appears in works by 19th-century Kazakh ethnographer Shoqan Walikhanov. The term Tengrianism entered Russian-language literature through poet Olzhas Suleymenov's 1975 book AZ-and-IA. Modern variations include Tengriism, Tangrism, and Tengrianity appearing since the 1990s. In Turkey and Kyrgyzstan, the faith is known as Gök Tanrı religion or Sky God religion. These terms correspond to Mongolian Blue Sky concepts found in historical texts.
Tengrism served as the state religion for several medieval empires including the Göktürk Khaganate and the Mongol Empire. The cult of Heaven-Tengri became fixed by Orkhon inscriptions used during the 8th to 10th centuries. Historical evidence shows that the Xiongnu empire founded in 209 BC practiced early forms of this belief system. The Secret History of the Mongols written in 1240 documents how Genghis Khan and his followers were Tengrian believers until the 14th century. Özbeg Khan converted the Golden Horde to Islam around the 1300s marking a major shift. Arghun Khan sent letters to European rulers in 1289 and 1290 expressing Tengrist imperial legitimacy. Güyük Khan wrote to Pope Innocent IV in 1246 stating decisions occurred under Eternal Heaven power. Hulegu Khan sent a letter to King Louis IX of France on the 10th of April 1262 from Maragheh in Iran. This document contains one of the first Latin transcriptions of Tengri mentioning Messiah-Tengri. The Mongol Empire maintained Tengrism as primary spirituality while expanding across Eurasia. Turkic beliefs also existed within Old Great Bulgaria and Volga Bulgaria states before Islamic conversion.
Tengrist cosmology divides existence into three worlds: upper heaven, Earth, and underworld darkness. The celestial world has seven layers while the underworld sometimes contains nine or seventeen levels depending on tradition. A Tree of Worlds connects these realms at their center. Ülgen serves as god of goodness sitting on the seventh floor of sky alongside Mergen who represents mind and intelligence. Erlik rules the underworld controlling souls waiting for rebirth. Kayra acts as primordial god of highest sky and atmosphere. Umay functions as goddess of children and babies souls being daughter of Tengri. The pantheon includes 99 tngri with 55 benevolent white spirits and 44 terrifying black ones. Seventy-seven earth-spirits dominate ancestral groups including Lord-Spirits and Protector-Spirits. Natural phenomena like thunder lightning rainbows storms become personified deities. Animals serve as totemistic symbols where sheep represent fire cows water horses wind camels earth. Humans possess multiple souls including Nefes breath Shadow soul Free soul and Sülde self-soul. Each tribe maintains different names and characteristics for these spiritual components. Shamans communicate between worlds riding black birds deer or horses through mental transformation.
Turkic peoples converted to Islam during the fourteenth century while maintaining syncretic elements within Sufism. Ahmad Yasawi's writings contain both Tengrist and Islamic themes identifying Dervishes as shaman-like figures. Mahmud al-Kashgari described non-Islamic Turks calling sky Tengri around year 1075. Michael the Syrian documented three reasons for Turkic conversion from Tengrism to Islam in surviving text fragments. First reason involved belief in one God already present in their land of origin. Second way occurred when migrating Turks settled near Persians accepting Muhammad after Persian adoption. Third method involved Arabs taking Turks as mercenaries who then accepted word of Muhammad. Some scholars argue orthodox Islam did not exist during medieval period creating no strong distinction between beliefs. Other groups assert Tengri is synonymous with Allah without abandoning former beliefs. Shoqan Walikhanov claimed only names changed thoughts remained shamanic. Gök Tengri became Allah spirit of earth became Shaitan demons transformed into div peri jinn. Mongolian Buddhism absorbed Tengrist formulas while purer forms survived in far-northern Mongolia. The Altan Tobchi chronicle contains prayers showing this fusion similar to Japanese Buddhist-Shinto merger. Kalmyk prince Serebzhab Tyumen carried Daichin Tengri banner through Napoleonic Wars battles including Borodino Warsaw Leipzig.
Tengrism experienced revival following dissolution of Soviet Union during 1990s across Central Asia and Russia. Kyrgyzstan counts approximately 50,000 followers today though government has not recognized the religion officially. Kazakhstan reports over one million practitioners as of 2024 despite lack of official status. Dastan Sarygulov established Tengir Ordo civic group promoting Tengrist values in 2005 after becoming state secretary. He based ideas on writer Choiun Omuraliyev's book Tengrism published in 1994. Murat Auezov former head of National Public Library of Kazakhstan views Tengrism as nature-identified worldview. Ulyana Fatyanova states laws cannot be broken since they represent universal physics karma spirits gods. Turkish lawyer Burhanettin Mumcuoğlu became first person to change religion from Islam to Tengrism in 2022. Political committees chaired by state officials suggested Pan-Turkic national ideology following 2005 presidential elections. Campaigners collected 5,000 signatures seeking recognition but faced rejection from Muslim leaders lobbying government. International scientific conferences have been held every two years since 2007 in Russia Mongolia and other countries. The first conference was sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Spiritual Development of Sakha Republic.
About 2.5 percent of Mongolian population practices Tengrism today known locally as böö mörgöl. Western and Southern peoples maintain highest numbers of practitioners within the country. Organizations like Kut-Siur founded by Lazar Afanasyev-Teris operate from Yakutsk headquarters. Rafael Bezertinov writes for periodical Beznen-Yul Our Path appearing in Tatarstan since 1997. Nihal Atsız served as prominent ideologue influencing Grey Wolves paramilitary organization replacing Allah with Tanri in oaths. Olzhas Suleymenov presented Tengrism as ancient world religion in banned book AZ-and-IA published 1975. Former presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev Askar Akayev called Tengrism natural Turkic religion during public speeches. Kubanychbek Tezekbaev faced prosecution in 2011 for statements describing Kyrgyz mullahs as alcoholics murderers. Crimean Karaites and Krymchaks leaders promote de-Judaization through Tengrist revival movements. Grigory Gurkin painter and poet contributed to anti-shamanistic Burkhanism movement arising 1904 in Altai. International Fund of Tengri Research maintains operations supporting academic study globally. Scholars continue debating whether modern Tengrism represents pure tradition or political ideology construction.
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Common questions
When did the word Tengri first appear in Chinese chronicles?
The word Tengri first appeared in Chinese chronicles during the 4th century BC as the sky god of the Xiongnu. Ancient Turkic and Mongolic languages used various forms like Tengeri, Tangara, and Tanri to describe this concept.
Who introduced the current spelling Tengrism into scientific circulation?
French scholar Jean-Paul Roux introduced the current spelling Tengrism into scientific circulation in 1956. Earlier usage appears in works by 19th-century Kazakh ethnographer Shoqan Walikhanov.
Which empires adopted Tengrism as their state religion during medieval times?
Tengrism served as the state religion for several medieval empires including the Göktürk Khaganate and the Mongol Empire. The cult of Heaven-Tengri became fixed by Orkhon inscriptions used during the 8th to 10th centuries.
What are the three worlds divided in Tengrist cosmology?
Tengrist cosmology divides existence into three worlds: upper heaven, Earth, and underworld darkness. A Tree of Worlds connects these realms at their center while the celestial world has seven layers.
When did Turkic peoples convert to Islam while maintaining syncretic elements within Sufism?
Turkic peoples converted to Islam during the fourteenth century while maintaining syncretic elements within Sufism. Mahmud al-Kashgari described non-Islamic Turks calling sky Tengri around year 1075.
How many followers does Kyrgyzstan count today regarding Tengrism?
Kyrgyzstan counts approximately 50,000 followers today though government has not recognized the religion officially. Kazakhstan reports over one million practitioners as of 2024 despite lack of official status.