Shaman and Tengri – A Critique of “Steppe Historiography” – (Book)

Shaman and Tengri: A Critique of “Steppe Historiography”, written by historian Ahmet Demirhan, is a scholarly work that critically examines the steppe-centered myths surrounding early Turkish history. Published in August 2024 by Dergâh Yayınları as part of its Tarih series, the 456-page volume explores how the image of the “steppe” has been constructed as an ideological tool disconnected from historical reality.

Subject

The book analyzes the conception of the steppe as shaped by legends such as the Oğuznameler, Dede Korkut, Ötüken, and Ergenekon. It argues that this approach, termed “steppe historiography,” is a Europe-centered geopolitical construction. It also critically assesses whether concepts such as the Kayı tribe, tribal structures, Central Asian traditions, and the conflict between law and custom are grounded in realistic historical evidence or are instead products of mythic narratives.

Themes

• The Construction of the Steppe Concept: The book critiques the reimagining of the steppe as a nomadic, fragmented geography, challenging Indo-European biased historical theories.
• The Relationship Between Mythology and History: It examines how legends are transformed into historical narratives and the influence of mythological figures originating from steppe culture.
• Ethnic and Political Formation: Rather than focusing on the anthropological structure of the steppe, the book investigates how national identity is constructed through political formations.
• Critical Turkology: It questions the extent to which anthropological, ethnographic, and cosmological concepts in Turkological literature align with historical realities.

Narrative and Style

Demirhan employs an academic and critical tone, supported by extensive quotations. While analyzing the steppe theme from multiple angles, the book adopts an approach grounded in objective debate. Conceptual clarity and a questioning perspective are the defining rhetorical features of the work.