Who are the Shor Turks?

The Shors are a Turkic people primarily living today in Russia’s Siberian region, especially in Kemerovo Oblast. They are considered a branch of the Altai Turks and speak their own distinct Shor language, although Russian is now widely used as well. Traditionally, they engaged in hunting, fishing, and ironworking. Shor culture encompasses shamanistic elements deeply intertwined with nature, later influenced by Orthodox Christian traditions. Despite a declining population, efforts continue to preserve their identity.

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The Shors currently reside in Russia’s Siberian region, particularly in an area known as Gornaya Shoriya (Mountainous Shoriya) within Kemerovo Oblast. This region is characterized by its mountainous and forested terrain. Long, harsh, and snowy winters have significantly shaped the Shors’ way of life.

The Shors speak a language called Shor Turkish, which belongs to the Siberian branch of the Turkic language family. Today, the number of speakers of Shor Turkish has drastically declined, placing the language at risk of extinction. However, some researchers are working to revitalize it through various initiatives.

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Shor culture is deeply connected to nature. Forests, mountains, rivers, and animals are integral parts of their lives, and as such, they hold great respect for the natural world. The Shors observe special holidays and customs.

Miltik Festival: A celebration of the arrival of spring, during which people offer gifts to nature and engage in festivities.

Tradition of Using Kolba: Kolba is a special vessel used for preparing food; the Shors continue to observe this tradition.

Shira Sacma Tradition: A practice of pouring a type of beverage onto the earth as an offering of gratitude to nature.

The Shors possess a rich oral literary tradition in which myths and epics hold great importance.

In myths, animals speak, heroes embark on adventures, and goodness ultimately prevails. These stories teach children the difference between right and wrong.

Epic tales recount the heroic deeds of Shor ancestors. One of the most important Shor epics is “Künnü Körçen Kün-Köök,” which narrates the struggle of a brave hero against evil forces. These epics are traditionally recited by Shor bards who memorize and perform lengthy poems. Today, this tradition is nearly forgotten, but some epic fragments are still preserved through video recordings.

For the Shors, mountains are sacred. They believe mountains are inhabited by protective spirits. This belief, known as “mountain cult,” is reflected in their epics, songs, and daily life. It is very similar among the Altai, Tuvan, and Shor peoples.

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Scientists are studying Shor culture, language, and traditions. These studies have contributed to a better understanding of the Shor people’s history and identity.

Although the number of Shors has declined today, there are people working to preserve their culture. Efforts such as documenting myths in writing, linguistic research, and producing documentary videos aim to sustain Shor identity.