On the question of ethnogenesis and the place of shamanism in the spiritual life of the Turkic peoples of Russia

Abstract

In the polemic about the ethnogenesis and spiritual life of the Turkic peoples of Russia, it is interesting to involve the research of the famous Turkish scientist Abdulkadyr Inan in the field of the pre-Islamic beliefs of the Turks, in particular, shamanism, based on materials based on the works of ancient Arab, Persian travelers and on Chinese sources. The breadth of the historical background of A. Inan’s work acquires a topical sound today, when a new theory of the origin of the Yakut nation is being approved in the light of revealing all the nuances of its spirituality, and a search for its niche in the Turkic world is underway. However, more and more difficulties are caused by the absence of not only a holistic concept of the history of the birth and evolution of shamanism, but also of any sacred books generally accepted in other religions, as well as customs and traditions, a single interpretation of its terms. As you know, the name of the religion of the ancient Turks has not been determined to this day. The author hopes that the introduction into circulation of a new source about the ancient beliefs of the Turkic peoples in pre-Islamic times will replenish the historiographic database of such a discussed topic.