Siberian Turkic Religion: The Tengrian Discourse
Problems of Archaeology Ethnography Anthropology of Siberia and Neighboring Territories January 1, 2024 A. P. Chemchieva
Since the 18th century, scholars viewed Shamanism as the traditional religion of Siberian Turkic peoples, but this concept has been challenged in the post-Soviet period by an alternative Tengrian discourse. The discourse holds that Tengrism is a well-developed monotheistic religion whose deities are creations or emanations of Tengri, contrasting with Shamanism as an ancient practice tied to a shaman's personality. Academic discussions on this contrast are rooted in terminological issues: academia defines Shamanism broadly to include all Siberian and Far Eastern religious practices, while Tengrian proponents restrict Shamanism to Manchu-Tungus faiths and define the faith of Siberian Turkic nations as Tengrism.