Tatar mythology

Tatar culture is truly multi-faceted, stretching from Tengrist and Shamanist beliefs to Islam, from the nomadic and warrior way of life of Turkic peoples to hospitality, culinary traditions, and home-keeping. 

📖 Tatar mythology is a fascinating part of the Tatar culture, influenced by other local Asiatic, Mongol, Finnic, and Indo-European mythologies. 

📖 Tatars have quite descriptive stories about entities tied to the lower world. Found in various mythologies, they play roles that can vary from protecting natural realms to representing darker forces. You might have heard about Şürәle, a spirit of the forest with a human-like appearance but with long fingers, nails, a horn, and covered with hair, that leads travelers astray in the woods. 

📖 In ancient Tatar beliefs, stories about the higher gods, how the world was made, where people came from, and so on have been passed down through stories and legends. These stories, like "Aq Büre" (White Wolf) and "Aq Yılan" (White Serpent), talk about tribes originating from animals like wolves and snakes and reflect a totemic spiritual connection between humans and animals. 

Then there were references to the Pantheon of Heavenly Gods in historical records, that suggest a polytheistic belief system, or believing in many different gods. Tәñre being the supreme god who controls all aspects of existence and human fate highlights his central role in the cosmology. Giving Tәñre human-like qualities and emotions illustrates the way humans often project their own attributes onto deities. 

Cir-Su (Yer-Sub) is a deity that holds significance among the Tatar people, patronizing their homeland, nature, and earthly life. Cir-Su is believed to guide and protect the community, embodying a connection to the land and its resources. 

📖 The adoption of Islam by the Tatars led to a transformation of their mythological beliefs. Islamic concepts and figures likely became intertwined with existing mythological narratives, resulting in a blend of pre-Islamic and Islamic ideas. This type of mixing is common when cultures encounter new religious systems.  

📖 Later, during the Soviet era, there was an effort to suppress traditional religious practices and folklore. This had an impact on the transmission of Tatar mythology. Folklore and myths continued to exist in more hidden or transformed forms, as they were adapted to fit within the ideological framework of the time. 

📖 In modern times, there has been a renewed interest in Tatar cultural heritage. Scholars, writers, and cultural enthusiasts have undertaken efforts to research, document, and preserve Tatar mythology, contributing to its revival and recognition.  

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Based on "Tatar mifologiyәse" by F. Urmançe