Armenia became part of the giant state formed after the Mongol-Tatar invasions, as a result of which Armenians got acquainted with the life, traditions, and national characteristics of the Mongols from the Far East. At the same time, Armenian historiography emerged as a significant source for understanding the Mongols. This essay analyzes references to Mongol religious concepts found in “Armenian History” by Kirakos Gandzaketsi, an Armenian historian. The research shows that Kirakos Gandzaketsi was captured by the Mongols during their invasion and later served as their translator, so he was well-acquainted with Mongol lifestyle, religious practices and beliefs. He left valuable information about them, the comparative analysis of which allows us to highlight the following important considerations: 1) during the period when Kirakos Gandzaketsi lived (middle of the 13th century), tribal-national beliefs, particularly Tengriism, still prevailed in the religious concepts of the Mongols; 2) during the same period, myths and traditions about Genghis Khan’s wonderful birth and origin were already widespread among the Mongols; 3) at the same time, the Mongols gradually become acquainted with religious beliefs distinctive of Mahayana Buddhism. Although the Mongol tribes’ interactions with the religious and cultural heritage of other peoples reveal examples of adherence to other religions, as well. Kirakos Gandzaketsi, as a primary source, provides references that enable us to conclude that the ancient Mongolian religious worldview ideas have a particularly strong influence on the customs and traditions of the eastern peoples, including social status, marriage, and family relationships. Examination of Kirakos Gandzaketsi’s references to Mongol religion aids in gaining a deeper understanding of the peculiarities of the religious life of the Mongol-Tatar tribes in the mid-13th century, as well as the idea of the “eternal sky”, the early influences of Buddhism, and the attitudes of the conquered peoples of Transcaucasia toward the Mongols.
Key words: Armenians, Mongols, religion, Tengri, Shamanism, Buddhism
DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662-2024-4-68-75
About the authors
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Pargev A. Barseghyan – Ph.D. (Philosophy), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Religious Studies, Yerevan State University; 1 Alex Manoogian str., Republic of Armenia, 0025, Yerevan; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Hovhannes V. Hovhannisyan – Doctor of Sciences in History, Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Yerevan State University; 1 Alex Manoogian str., Republic of Armenia, 0025, Yerevan; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |