Women in Turkic Societies: Hatuns, Warriors, and Shamans
- Adem Küçük
- May 28
- 2 min read
History often remembers the names of men...But Turkic history begins with the voice of a woman.
That voice echoed sometimes as a Hatun in the court,sometimes as a commander on the battlefield,and sometimes as a shaman before the sacred fire.
The Turkic woman was not just a wife, a mother, or a daughter — she was a pillar of society.
Hatun: At the Heart of the State
In ancient Turkic states, the Hatun was not just the wife of the ruler —she was a sovereign figure, often participating in state affairs:
The Ulu Hatun (Great Queen) held imperial authority.
Some Hatuns even had coins minted in their name.
They received ambassadors and held their own seals for correspondence.
The Turkic woman was not hidden behind veils or walls —she stood beside the Khan, within the ruling mind of the state.
Warrior Women: The Alp Kızlar
The title Alp (hero) wasn’t exclusive to men.Women also rode horses, wielded swords, and led armies.
Examples?
Tomris Hatun (of the Saka/Scythian Turks) defeated the Persian king Cyrus the Great.
Börte, wife of Genghis Khan, led and protected their people in his absence.
Süyebike (Kazan Turks) became a symbol of resistance against Russian invasion.
In Turkic society, women stood firm in both war and peace.
Shaman Women: Spiritual Guides of the Steppes
In shamanic tradition, women could also become Kam (shamans).They healed, guided births, interpreted dreams, and communicated with spirits.
The widespread belief in Umay Ana, the divine feminine protector,reveals the spiritual reverence Turks held for womanhood.
Everyday Power: Producers and Decision-Makers
In the economy: Women worked in herding, weaving, trade, and crafts.
In family structure: Matriarchal traces were present in some clans.
In marriage: Women carried freedom, not just dowry. Forced marriage was taboo.
The Turkic woman was a producer, a protector, and an equal.
Final Word: Not Just Nomadic, But Noble
The women of Turkic history didn’t stay silent when told to be quiet.They didn’t shrink when told to stand back.
Historians may have mostly recorded the names of men —but Turkic history was also built by women.
At Otağ-ı Türk, we believe:The Turkic woman is not just a role — she is a root.Not just a tale of the past, but a living force of dignity and strength.
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