The altai tuvas: A forgotten Turkish people in the altai region

Abstract

Turkology as a discipline engages in research on not only Turkish languages but also the history, origins, religious beliefs, material and moral cultural aspects as well as the socioeconomic composition of Turkish peoples. In this regard, the history and cultural heritage of all small and large Turkish communities need to be researched thoroughly in line with scientific data and criteria. In this study we focus on a small group of Tuvas, a people living in the west of today's Mongolia, in the Eastern Altai region. These people, who are also referred to as the Altai Tuvas, have lived apart from other Tuva groups, especially from the inhabitants of the Tuva Republic. As an outcome of this separation and isolated way of life, the Altai Tuvas have developed a language, history and culture peculiar to themselves. This article concentrates primarily on the history, origin, language, religion, and material culture of the Altai Tuvas. In doing so, it also attempts to describe the current situation of the Altai Tuvas in line with the latest scientific data in this regard. © Ahmet Yesevi University Board of Trustees.