The Cave as a Ritualistic Place in Turkish Culture

Abstract

This article discusses the mythological and ritualistic meanings of the cave in Turkish culture. Steppe life formed the basis of the Turks’ relationship with nature, and respect for nature has gained a sacred meaning. In the belief of Tengriism, natural sites such as mountains, rivers, trees and caves were regarded as sacred. In Turkish mythology, the cave has been identified with the womb and holds a significant place in creation and origin myths. Figures such as Umay Ana and Ak Ene in Turkish mythology are associated with cave cults. In the Göktürk Origin myth, the cave is regarded as the birthplace of the first ancestors. Additionally, for shamans, caves have served as spaces for spiritual journeys and communication with supernatural beings. The cave is imbued not only with mythological meanings but also with religious and mystical significance. In Islam, the Cave of Hira is considered sacred as the place where Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. In the Sufi tradition, caves have been used as places of seclusion and spiritual purification. Sufi figures such as Ahmed Yesevi and Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli retreated to caves for solitude, completing their spiritual maturation. The origins of the sanctification of caves trace back to mythical times. This study focuses on the origins of caves as ritual spaces in Turkish culture and the rituals that have developed around them. In Turkish culture, caves are regarded as sacred sites where healing, wish-making and communal rituals are performed. Rituals are conducted in times of crisis or in response to societal needs and manifest in various forms. In healing rituals, practices such as touching cave walls, drinking water and rubbing against stones are performed to cure illnesses. Additionally, rituals such as tying cloth to trees, placing stones, offering sacrifices and casting or drawing bones are particularly noteworthy. These rituals are carried out within specific rules, reinforcing social belonging and contributing to the transmission of cultural heritage.