Abstract
This chapter introduces the reader to the pre-Islamic religion of Tengrism in Central Asia. It offers an overview of the central ideas of Tengrism, its history, contemporary political significance and symbolic place in Central Asian art and culture through cinematic works as they play out in the case of Kazakhstan. However, the chapter argues that Tengrism is less a religion and more a psychogeographical and cosmological worldview which seeks to root and reconnect Central Asian Turkic peoples with the vast natural expanse of the Eurasian steppe.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Handbook of Contemporary Central Asia |
| Editors | Rico Frederick Isaacs, Erica Marat |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780429057977 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780367178406 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Field of Science*
- 5.4 Sociology
- 6.3 Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
- 5.6 Political science
- 5.7 Social and Economic geography
Publication Type*
- 3.2. Articles or chapters in other proceedings other than those included in 3.1., with an ISBN or ISSN code