Manyak (Clothing)

Manyak is a term used among the Altai Turks to denote the shaman’s robe or ceremonial attire. Found among Turkic communities in Siberia—including the Altai, Yakut, Khakas, Tuvan, Tofa, and Dolgan peoples—the manyak is more than merely clothing; it carries profound religious and cosmological significance. It is a sacred cult object that distinguishes the shaman from other members of society and transforms them into a being capable of communicating with cosmic and transcendent realms. The manyak imitates a bird.

The manyak is typically made from a single piece of hide from animals such as cattle, deer, maral, or musk deer. In some communities, lamb or horsehide is also preferred. The fur side is sewn inward, while the leather side faces outward. Its preparation requires collective effort and is usually completed with great care by experienced women, following the instructions of spirits. After completion, a ritual known as “manyak takdis etme” or “manyak artile” is performed to obtain the spirits’ approval.^【1】 

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Parts and Construction

In a 2024 publication based on extensive fieldwork in Siberia, Anohin provides detailed information about the Altai shaman garment, the manyak. The Altai Turks obtain the materials for making the manyak from friends, relatives, or other tribal members and meticulously prepare each component before assembling them. All parts are then joined together to form the complete garment. During its construction, no negative or immoral speech or behavior is permitted.

Manyaks are worn by both male and female shamans, with no significant difference between the two. However, it is forbidden for a shaman to wear a manyak belonging to the opposite gender. The manyak primarily consists of the following parts:

• Ton: The furred main body of the garment, made from deer or sheep hide and sewn with sinew thread.
• Yen: Decorative panels attached above the sleeves, aligned with the wrists, shoulders, and elbows, adorned with vatchak fur.
• Küzüngü: Bells sewn beneath the sleeves, four on the right side and five on the left, totaling nine. These small bells are believed to be divine armor granted by the gods; their sound protects the shaman from attacks by malevolent spirits. Additionally, feathers representing bird wings are attached to the sleeves.
• Kuklalar: Nine dolls are sewn onto the back of the garment at neck level, representing the nine daughters of the god Ülgen. Each doll’s head is adorned with owl feathers, and beneath them, two rows of mother-of-pearl, sea shells, and snake heads are attached.
• Çan ve Yay: A horizontal row of bells and bow-shaped figures is added to the center of the shaman’s back. Between metal pieces, two large disks represent the bear and the sun. Smaller metal elements symbolize stars.
• Kuşak: A red belt is worn around the waist, upon which two large disks representing the bear and the sun are placed. Nine bells are sewn beneath the belt, and below each bell are nine tasselled needle-like pendants. Strands of cord are sewn along the lower edge of the belt, extending down the hem. This area may also include leather pouches, woodpecker feathers, or beads.

Manyak 

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The side panels of the manyak include the following accessories:

• Yutpa: Large cords made of black or brown fabric, symbolizing mythological creatures and protecting the shaman from the demonic entity üzüt yek, which devours human flesh.
• Abra: A green cord symbolized by owl feathers and copper eyes. It has four legs and a forked tail. Its body is made of green fabric, while its tail is made of red fabric. It is believed that Abra descends from the sacred sea monster of Erlik, the god of the underworld.

The hem of the manyak features the following elements: owl and eagle feather embroidery, eagle talons, two thick cords representing poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, small figures, and red ribbons.^【4】 

Preservation

When not in use, shamans store the garment in a leather pouch. In the event of migration or relocation, this pouch is hung from a horse’s saddle, and no woman is permitted to ride that horse. Similar traditions exist among other Siberian peoples.^【5】 

Since the manyak is considered sacred, it is carefully preserved. It is kept away from children, and if damaged, it is believed that the shaman will suffer illness or death. Upon the shaman’s death or retirement, the garment is either buried with them or left hanging from a tree in the forest.^【6】 

Change and Degradation

Over time, due to pressure from other religions and cultural interactions, the manyak tradition has partially lost its originality and meaning, and in some regions it has disappeared entirely. The negative connotations now associated with the term manyak reflect this transformation. Today, efforts are being made to preserve the manyak as a cultural heritage through academic research and museum collections.