Drinking Rituals in Turkish Culture

Ant The oath-taking tradition has endured throughout history as one of the most effective methods in Turkish culture for preserving the sanctity of the word and maintaining social order.

Etimological Origins and Layers of Meaning of the Word “Ant”

The word “ant” appears in Old Turkish as “ānd” and carries the meaning “to give a pledge, to swear an oath.” This term is derived from the verb root ān-, which is also the root of “anıt-” (to remember), combined with the derivational suffix -dV. This indicates that an oath is not merely a spoken promise but also embodies memory, recollection, and thus collective social memory. The Mongolic and Tungusic word “anda,” meaning “brother” and “comrade,” sheds light on this root. In Turkish culture, “anda olmak” signifies not a physical but a spiritual bond. To be “anda” means to accept a shared fate, mutual responsibility, and, if necessary, death.

Generated by Artificial Intelligence.

Historical Origins of the Oath-Taking Tradition

The earliest traces of oath-taking are found among the Scythians. Herodotus recounts that among the Scythians, for the purpose of establishing an alliance, the tip of a spear was cut and its blood dripped into a bowl; this blood was then mixed with wine, combined with swords, shields, and other weapons, and consumed in the presence of the gods. This practice continued among Turkic groups such as the Huns, Göktürks, and Uyghurs through similar rituals. In the treaties between the Huns and China in 43 BCE, white at sacrifice was used; the khan’s sword was dipped into wine, and the mixture was consumed from a cup made of a human skull.

Socio-Cultural Dimensions and Oath Brotherhood

In Turkic societies, making a promise preceded written documents as the fundamental pillar sustaining social cohesion. Oath-taking ensured that this promise was given before witnesses, accompanied by sacred objects. The wine mixed with blood rendered the oath-takers “antlı adaş,” or blood brothers. Oath brotherhood embodies virtues such as loyalty, mutual support, and solidarity, even at the cost of one’s life. Togaris’s phrase, “I swear an oath upon the wind and the dagger,” reveals the sacred nature of these rituals and their connection to natural elements in Turkic mythology.

Ceremonial Elements and Sacred Objects

Objects used in ceremonies were intended to enhance the gravity and potency of the oath. Swords, arrows, bows, bear skulls, sun, moon, and fire were prominent. The sword was viewed as a sacred instrument of punishment for those who broke their word. As Kaşgarlı Mahmud recorded, the Turks swore oaths saying, “May this sword rust, may it sprout.” The cups used in these rituals were called “tolu.” These cups were adorned with sacred motifs such as deer, mountain goat, and falcon and held a central role in the rites.

Oath in Folklore and Literature

In Dede Korkut Tales, traces of the oath tradition appear in expressions such as “Let me be pierced by my sword, let me be struck by my arrow.” These phrases underscore the catastrophe that follows the violation of an oath while emphasizing its divine and social dimensions. Such narratives reveal that the oath is more than an act of promising—it is a matter of existential commitment.

Mythological Foundations and the Cosmic Connection of Oath-Taking

In Turkic mythology, Sky God, Yer-Water spirits, sacred mountains, and animals were invoked as witnesses to oath-taking rituals. It was believed that anyone who broke an oath would be cursed and punished by these sacred entities. This demonstrates that the oath was not merely an agreement between humans but also a covenant with the gods. The phrase “May the sky split, may the red one emerge” is a linguistic reflection of these cosmic relationships.

The tradition of oath-taking in Turkish culture is not merely an act of swearing or promising—it is simultaneously a social bond, a legal contract, a moral code, and a mythological obligation. In societies where writing was used late, the honor attributed to the spoken word explains why this tradition became so deeply rooted and enduring. To be “anda” means to internalize the spirit of the oath—to understand this culture.