Sufi Motives in Ancient Turkic Nomadic Culture

Abstract

The cultural and anthropological concept of Turkic Sufism is rooted in ideals of spiritual perfection, the absolute, and the archetype of the "perfect human". This concept, though widely influential, remains insufficiently explored from sociological perspectives. This article expands on Sufi motives in ancient Turkic nomadic culture by incorporating sociological theories of collective rituals, authority, and cultural capital. Drawing on Émile Durkheim’s notion of collective effervescence, we examine how communal Sufi practices fostered social cohesion and a shared sacred experience among nomadic communities. Using Max Weber’s concept of charismatic authority, we analyze the role of Sufi saints and leaders whose personal spiritual charisma legitimized new religious ideas and guided cultural transformation. Through Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital, we explore how Sufi knowledge, rituals, and symbols functioned as valued social assets that facilitated identity formation and integration into the broader Islamic civilization. The study addresses the synthesis of pre-Islamic Tengriism with Sufism in the Great Steppe, illustrating how spiritual practices shaped collective identity and ethical norms. This sociological reframing clarifies the profound influence of Sufism on cultural values, social structures, and identities, offering a more rigorous understanding of its role in the historical evolution of Central Asian cultures.

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