Spiritual changes that Kyrgyzstan experienced: the religion of the nomadic people

It was quite difficult to determine what exactly was the primitive Kirghizia. The religion of this country has undergone many changes: beginning with natural selection and ending with the forced Islamization of the entire Kyrgyz people. Nevertheless, scientists were able to find reliable information that could shed light on the metamorphosis of the beliefs of this nomadic people.

Pagan Kirghizia: which religion was the first?

The main problem in the study of the past of Kirghizia is that most of the myths and legends were transmitted mainly orally. Because of this, it is impossible to say for sure which part of the information received was transformed under the influence of time. Still, many scholars are inclined to believe that the ancestors of this nomadic people originally worshiped the forces of nature.

They did not have one god. They believed that everything in this world has its own consciousness and will. So, the wind could become a true friend or sworn enemy, depending on his mood. Because of this, the Kirghiz people constantly communicated with the world around them, hoping for his favor.

Early Totemism

With the passage of time, Kyrgyzstan itself has changed. Religion was closely intertwined with the new culture, and instead of free worship of the forces of nature, totemism took the first place. Its essence was that each kind or tribe had its own totem-keeper. Often his name became the head of the family, thereby glorifying his patron.

Prototypes for the totem became beasts, spirits and the forces of nature. It is true that animals were most often chosen as custodians. For example, the Bugu tribe believed that their distant ancestor had a close relationship with the sacred deer. That's why it chose a name for itself, which in translation means "male deer" or "maral."

New faith

The religion of Kyrgyzstan was often subjected to pressure from its neighbors. In most cases this led to the fact that local beliefs were only slightly transformed, but they did not change their essence. However, at the end of the IX century Islam came to this country, which forever changed the cultural heritage of this people.

It is rather difficult to describe in several words how much Kyrgyzstan has changed. Religion has become a real scourge of the people, who now and then punished the unbelievers. And if before the beginning of the XVII century Islam tolerated the customs of the indigenous population, then with the advent of the Kokand Khanate everything radically changed.

It was during this period that mosques began to be actively built in the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan, which subsequently resulted in forced admission to new rituals. Such a strong influence led to the fact that today most of the Kyrgyz are Sunni Muslims who sincerely believe in the birthright of Allah.

The spiritual world of modern Kyrgyzstan

The main question is whether the Kyrgyzstan has completely changed under the influence of Islam? The religion of the Muslim world, of course, has picked up the country's cultural world, but ancient beliefs also did not disappear without a trace. Passing prohibitions, pagan rituals leaked into the spiritual life of the Kirghiz, modifying the customary ordinances and festivals of the new religion.

The same goes for the depth of the Kyrgyz faith. Despite the worship of Allah, they rarely adhere to all five pillars of Islam (confession of faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage). And yet it is this religion that is the foundation of the spiritual world of modern Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, in no case should its role in the creation of the cultural heritage of this people be minimized.

In addition, there are Christians and Buddhists in the country. But their number is so small that even if they unite, they can not become worthy competitors for the dominant Muslims.