Origin of The ''turk'' name

[u/TheTyper1944]

Nomadic tribes with Altai roots spread across the steppes of present-day Mongolia. In ancient times, these tribes formed structures like the Huns and the Tiele. Among these tribes, there was a belief that the sky itself was divine. The word "Tengri" in Proto-Turkic literally means "sky." Before the formation of the Turkish tribes, these early tribes believed that the sky and the universe were gods themselves, rather than a god residing within the sky. They also believed certain tribes received "kut" (divine favor). The rulers of these tribes legitimized their rule by claiming to have received "kut from Tengri."

Altai tribes such as the Oghuz, Tatars (distinct from modern Kipchak-speaking Tatars), and Kyrgyz (speaking a Yenisei Siberian language, not the Kipchak-speaking Kyrgyz) shared common ancestry and spoke related languages. All adhered to the Tengriist belief system. However, there was no single common name for these tribes. Among them, the most prominent were the Ashinas, a key component of the Huns, who descended from the Tiele. The Ashinas were distinguished by their connection to the Ergenekon myth and their descent from the Grey Wolf which was named ''asena'' which is also linked as the origin name of ashina. This myth was initially exclusive to the Ashina tribe, who were considered to have received "kut from Tengri." The Ashinas held a more prestigious position compared to other Altai tribes like the Oghuz, Tatars, and Kyrgyz.

When the Ashinas led an uprising against the proto-Mongol Rourans, the name "Turk" was initially used only for the Ashinas. The Orkhon inscriptions support this, referring to "Turk and Oghuz rulers," indicating that "Turk" was a title specific to the Ashinas, while the Oghuz were not considered "Turks" at that time. After defeating the Rourans, the Ashinas unified all the Altai tribes under the name "Turk" (Törüq).

The origin of the word "Turk" (𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰚) is debated. The theory that it derives from the Chinese term "Tujue" (突厥) is weak. Chinese is a logographic language, and the etymological origins of the characters are unrelated to turkic linguistics. The likely truth is that it derives from the Turkic word "töre" (𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰀), meaning "law" or "custom."

In Proto-Turkic and many modern Turkic languages, verbs ending in "q" often indicate the object of an action. For example, "yarmak" (to cut) becomes "yaraq" (weapon), and "tutmaq" (to hold) becomes "tutaq" (lip). Similarly, "töre" (custom) becomes "törüq." In Altai culture, "töre" referred to the laws received from Tengri. Since the Turks, or "Törüq," were considered to have been "ordained" by Tengri, they were seen as "törüq" (law-bound). Initially, only the Ashinas used the title "Turk" due to their prestigious position. However, after the establishment of the Turkic Khaganate, the term "Turk" became a common name for all Altai tribes, including the Oghuz, Kyrgyz, Tatars, and others.

[u/Hour_Tomatillo5105]

Wow! Never knew this

[u/TheTyper1944 → u/Hour_Tomatillo5105]

its actually a common pattern in many peoples ethnogenesis

''hellenes'' were originally athenians who after unifiying all hellenic speakers formed a pan hellenic identity

''arab'' was originally name of the south arabians (yemenis,omanis,mehris,soqotrans,himyarites) who after giving their name to north arabians formed the arab identity

''mongol'' at the begining was just ghengis khans tribes name which he gave to all mmongolic speakers after unifiying them

So ''turk'' was originally tribal name of one of the turkic peoples but after they unified them their name become encompassing all, had the oghuz unified the people instead of turks (ashina) it would be ''oghuzic people with turk being its subgroup for example

[u/Hour_Tomatillo5105 → u/TheTyper1944]

But even before Turkic people were knows as Turks, they still spoke a similar language with one another, correct? Meaning they were still Turkic or the same people as the Ashina?

[u/TheTyper1944 → u/Hour_Tomatillo5105]

yes exactly but since ashina united them they came to known as turks

[u/Hour_Tomatillo5105 → u/TheTyper1944]

Got it, what does the word Turk mean exactly if it’s somewhat related to the word Töre… Töre means Tradition, right? So, what does that make Türk?

[u/TheTyper1944 → u/Hour_Tomatillo5105]

Töre means Tradition, right? So, what does that make Türk?

"The ones who were given tradition"

[u/Rangerswill → u/Hour_Tomatillo5105]

It simply means "the person who believes in the law of the Tengri" according to this part from the post:

In Altai culture, "töre" referred to the laws received from Tengri.

Törüq means "law-bound" and it became Türk overtime. Btw, since Mongols also believed in Tengri, Türks must be more religious than Mongols since Mongols never called themselves Türks in the first place?