Shamans Among the Turks: Sages Who Spoke with Spirits

Behind the veil of mist, by the fire, to the rhythm of the drum…There sits the shaman.A voice between worlds.A traveler across realms.In ancient Turkish belief, the shaman was not merely a spiritual figure—he was the messenger of spirits and guardian of cosmic balance.

Who Is a Shaman?

In old Turkic societies, the shaman was also known as a "kam" or "bakshi". Far beyond being a mere religious figure, the shaman acted as a healer, spiritual guide, soothsayer, and tribal elder. Respected and revered, shamans held one of the most important roles in the nomadic social structure.

Between Heaven and the Underworld

In Turkic cosmology, the universe was divided into three layers:

1. Upper World – the realm of Tengri (Sky God)

2. Middle World – the human domain

3. Lower World – the land of dark spirits

Shamans were believed to travel between these layers, especially during trance states. They journeyed to the underworld to retrieve lost souls, to heal the sick, or to drive away evil spirits. These journeys were accompanied by music, prayer, and fire—tools of connection and protection.

Drum, Feathers, and Fire

Shamans used ritual items crafted from nature, each with its own meaning:

• Wolf fur symbolized courage and protection,

• Eagle feathers signified spiritual flight,

• The drum acted as a vehicle for soul travel,

• The fire was the bridge between worlds and a purifier.

The shaman's outfit was not decorative—it was a sacred armor filled with spiritual symbolism.

Healing the Body and the Soul

Shamans also communicated with nature. They knew the language of herbs, collected healing plants, and treated both physical and spiritual ailments. They named newborns, sanctified hunts, and protected villages from unseen forces.

Are There Still Shamans Today?

Yes. Shamanism still exists among some Turkic peoples such as the Altai Turks, Yakuts, Tuvans, and Shors. Though the spread of Islam over time reduced their visibility, the essence of shamanism remains preserved in rituals, oral traditions, and cultural memory.

In the End: The Shaman Is a Breath from the Past

Shamans were those who listened to the wind, questioned the stars, and spoke with shadows.Their wisdom is more than belief—it is a spiritual memory of a people.

At Otağ-ı Türk, we don't just want to remember the past;We want to keep it alive.