Shah Removal Ritual

The Shah Raising Ritual, is a ceremonial practice carried out by the Karapapak (Terekeme) Turks settled in Eastern Anatolia, particularly around Kars and Ardahan, involving the procession of a symbolic tree adorned with fruits and sweets, accompanied by music, during weddings to symbolize abundance and prosperity. Today, this ritual is also practiced in Iğdır, Ağrı, Muş, Sivas, Tokat, and Amasya, alongside Kars and Ardahan, due to migration.

Origins

The origins of the Shah raising ritual trace back to the pre-Islamic era of the Turks and their shamanistic practices. The custom is regarded as an adaptation of the ancient Turkic tradition of the “khan raising” ceremony, in which the ruler (khan) was symbolically lifted into the air upon ascending the throne to signify divine acceptance and the bestowal of sacred power (kut). Over time, this ritual was reinterpreted within the context of marriage, with the term “shah,” originally used for rulers in ancient Turkic belief, being applied to the bride and groom to signify their sanctification and elevation. The tradition was transmitted to Anatolia by Karapapak Turks who migrated from the Borçalı region of Georgia and the Ganja and Kazakh regions of Azerbaijan. The symbolism of the tree at the heart of the ritual parallels the Turkic mythological concept of the Tree of Life and the belief in a spiritual connection between humans and the divine.

Gelenek, Gürcistan’ın Borçalı ve Azerbaycan’ın Gence, Kazak bölgelerinden Anadolu’ya göç eden Karapapak Türkleri aracılığıyla taşınmıştır. Ritüelin merkezinde yer alan ağaç sembolizmi, Türk mitolojisindeki hayat ağacı ve Tanrı ile insan arasında bağ kurma inanışıyla paralellik göstermektedir.

Structure and Preparation of the Shah Tree

The central element of the ritual, known as the “Shah,” is a decorative tree typically constructed from wood with a framework of seven or nine branches, each approximately 70 cm in length. The numbers seven and nine, considered auspicious in Turkic mythology and recurring as the nine-branched tree motif in creation epics, form the foundational elements of the Shah’s structure. In some regions, the Shah may also be constructed in the shape of a rectangular prism.

The process of preparing and decorating the Shah is called “shah bezeme.” According to tradition, two separate Shahs may be prepared: one for the bride (“kız şahı”) and one for the groom (“oğlan şahı”), though local variations exist. The expenses for the Shah are usually covered by the right-hand side of the wedding party, known as the “sâğıdç.” The decoration is carried out by young women under the supervision of experienced village women, accompanied by folk songs and ballads. Fruits such as apples and pomegranates, along with sweets like sugar, chocolate, biscuits, and nuts, are hung from the branches using ropes. Each of these items carries symbolic meaning:

• Apples and Pomegranates: Represent fertility, fecundity, and the continuation of the lineage.

• Sweets and Nuts: Symbolize sweetness, abundance, and prosperity.

• Red Cloth or Scarf: The red covering placed over the Shah is associated with the cult of fire and hearth.

Stages of the Ritual

The Shah raising ritual is performed through a sequence of ceremonies governed by specific rules, hierarchical order, and symbolic meanings, all aimed at sanctifying marriage as a transitional phase and protecting the couple from malevolent spirits.

Formation and Procession of the Shah Entourage

The ceremony begins with instructions from the “toy babası,” the wedding organizer. The prepared Shah tree, draped with a red cloth or scarf, is carried from the right-hand side’s home toward the wedding venue. Along the way, a procession known as the “shah alayı” is formed. The order of the procession is not random: the person carrying the Shah leads, followed immediately by the groom and the right-hand side members, then the “shah guards,” who protect the Shah and the groom, and finally the villagers and guests. During the procession, special melodies are played on the davul and zurna, young men may engage in wrestling, and local games are performed.

Rules of Carrying

Strict rules govern the carrying of the Shah. The person carrying it must hold the tree above head level, and under no circumstances may the Shah be lowered below shoulder or waist height until the journey is complete. This rule is understood as an expression of respect for the sanctity and dignity of marriage. Additionally, no one is permitted to cross in front of or pass ahead of the Shah until it reaches the wedding home; this taboo underscores the sacred and inviolable nature of the Shah.

Symbolism of Fire, Light, and Mirror

One of the rituals performed during the Shah procession involves the use of fire and light. Torches, candles, or decorative lamps are lit as the procession moves forward. Historically, torches were used for this purpose; today, candles or artificial light sources are employed. This practice is linked to the belief in the eternal flame of the marital hearth and the continuity of the lineage (hearth cult).

It is also common during the procession for a mirror to be held near the Shah or the groom. This object, known as the “baht aynası” (mirror of fortune), is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against the evil eye through the reflection of light. According to ancient beliefs, the mirror reflects the soul, and this reflection safeguards vulnerable individuals undergoing transition—the bride and groom—from metaphysical threats from outside.

Welcoming, Scattering, and Gift-Giving

When the Shah procession arrives at the wedding home—whether the bride’s or groom’s house—a welcoming ceremony takes place. As the Shah reaches the doorway, a mixture called “saçı” is scattered over the Shah and the groom to symbolize abundance and prosperity. This mixture typically consists of coins, sugar, barley, wheat, and nuts. Wheat and barley represent agricultural productivity and childbearing; sugar symbolizes sweetness; and coins signify wealth.

During the handover of the Shah, a gift-giving ritual occurs. For example, the groom’s right-hand side presents the bride’s right-hand side with a gift called “hilat,” typically fabric or clothing. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Shah is placed before the bride and groom or left in the bridal chamber. The fruits and sweets on the Shah are consumed by the couple or offered to children and guests, as it is believed they bring fertility and prosperity.

Shah Raising Ritual (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Current Status

Although the Shah raising ritual is still actively preserved in villages around Kars, modernization factors such as rural-to-urban migration and the increasing use of banquet halls for weddings have led to certain changes. While spatial constraints make full-scale implementation difficult, the local population continues to uphold the practice as a cultural heritage.