OTRAC: Old Turkic Religion Academic Center

Dedicated to the scholarly study and preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Old Turkic religions.

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About OTRAC

Mission

To advance the understanding and appreciation of Old Turkic religious traditions through research, education, and public engagement.

Vision

To be a leading hub for the study and preservation of this rich cultural legacy, inspiring a new generation of scholars and enthusiasts.

Values

Intellectual rigor, cultural sensitivity, and a deep reverence for the wisdom of our ancestors.

Our Mission and Vision

1

Scholarship

Conduct cutting-edge research to uncover new insights into Old Turkic religious beliefs and practices.

2

Education

Develop innovative educational programs to share our findings with students, academics, and the broader public.

3

Preservation

Safeguard and conserve the invaluable artifacts and texts that embody this ancient tradition.

Research and Publications

Explore the latest research and publications

These works on Old Turkic religion represent some of the most innovative scholarship in the field, contributing to respected academic journals and advancing our understanding of this area of study.

  • Zanadil, Z. (2024). The mythological image of Korkyt Ata: Spiritual Mentor and Hero in Kazakh and Turkic Culture. Journal of Oriental Studies, 108(1). [in English] Read here.
  • Dugarov, S. D. (2021). Theophoric names in the “heavenly” prologue of the Buryat epic cycle Geseriada. Voprosy onomastiki, 18(3), 110–122. [in Russian] Read here.
  • Khadzhieva, T. M. (2020). The religious-mythological characters and motifs in the Nart epic of the Balkars and Karachai. Studia Litterarum, 5(2). [in English] Read here.
  • Yeshmetova, B. B. (2019). The concept of "Mangilik El." Journal of Oriental Studies, 89(2). [in English] Read here.
  • Erkoç, H. İ. (2018). Perceptions of “Täŋrı” and “Allah” During the Islamization Process of The Turks. Ankara Üniversitesi Dil Ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi, 58(1), 301-326. [in Turkish] Read here.
  • Khadzhieva, T. M. (2017). Tengrism in the Karachay-Balkar ‘Nartada’. Oriental Studies, 10(5), 231–236. [in Russian] Read here.
  • Goryaeva, B. B., Kukanova, V. V., Bayanova, A. T., & Doleeva, A. O. (2016). Internal median formulas of Kalmyk fairy tales (Evidence from G. J. Ramstedt’s records). Oriental Studies, 9(5), 216–224. [in Russian] Read here.
  • Khisamitdinova, F. G. (2016). On the reflection of mythological beliefs in the anthroponymic system of Bashkirs (Based on service records of the officers and clerks of the 9th Bashkir Canton as of 1837). Voprosy onomastiki, 13(2), 112–125. [in Russian] Read here.
  • Osorin, U. (2015). To the issue of the comparative study of the legends connected with the holidays of the Oirats of Xinjiang and Kalmyks. Oriental Studies, 8(2), 156–160. [in Russian] Read here.
  • Okutan, N. (2012). British Druidry and Turkic Shamanism in context of Pagan Religion. Novye Issledovaniâ Tuvy, (4). [in English] Read here.
  • Bicheev, B., & Kukeev, A. (2011). About religious ideas of the ancient Turky and Mongols. Oriental Studies, 4(2), 75–77. [in Russian] Read here.
  • Alıcı, M. (2006). The First Modern Turkish Contribution to the History of Religions: The Basic Themes of the Ethnographical Phenomenology in Hikmet Tanyu (1918-1992). Dini Araştırmalar, 9(26), 123–154. [in Turkish] Read here.
Academic Books Collection 📚

Our collection is currently being updated to include the latest research and perspectives.

  • Karakurt, D. (2012) Turkish Myths Glossary (Türk Söylence Sözlüğü). [in Turkish] Read here.
  • Ögel, B. (2010) Türk Mitolojisi. (Turkic Mythology). Ankara: Türk Tarih Kurumu Publications. [in Turkish] Read Vol. 1 here. Read Vol. 2 here.
  • Findley, C. V. (2005). The Turks in world history. Oxford University Press. [in English] Read here.
  • Erdal, M. (2004). A grammar of Old Turkic. Brill. [in English] Read here.
  • Beydili, C. (2003) Türk Mitolojisi Ansiklopedik Sözlük (Encyclopedic Dictionary of Turkish Mythology). Istanbul: Yurt Yayınevi. [in Turkish] Read here.
  • Róna-Tas, A. (1999). Hungarians and Europe in the Early Middle Ages: An Introduction to Early Hungarian History. CEU Press. [in English] Read here.
  • Tekin, T. (1994). A Grammar of Orkhon Turkic. Indiana University. [in English] Read here.
  • ​​Golden, P. B. (1992). An introduction to the history of the Turkic peoples: Ethnogenesis and state-formation in medieval and early modern Eurasia and the Middle East. Otto Harrassowitz. [in English] Read here.
  • Clauson, G. (1972). An Etymological Dictionary of Pre-Thirteenth Century Turkish. Oxford University Press. [in English] Read here.

Educational Programs

Courses

27th Orkhon Turkic (Göktürkçe) Course by the Türk Dili Derneği held virtually from December 8, 2023, to January 5, 2024.

Lectures

Watch the full Göktürkçe Öğreniyorum (2022) playlist by Gökbey Uluç, featuring 30 videos to help you learn the Old Turkic language.

Self-study books for all Turkic languages

Books are available at Amazon for fast global shipping and pdf-format delivered to your email.

Events and Conferences

1

Fifth European Convention on Turkic, Ottoman and Turkish Studies (Turkologentag 2025)

The Fifth European Convention on Turkic, Ottoman and Turkish Studies took place in Mainz from 18-20 September 2025. It was organized by the Department of Turkish Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

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