[86145] Identity polemic on social networks: Debate surrounding shamanism and Turkish heritage

Online confrontation: Shamanism and Turkish heritage at the center of a storm

A short video presenting a Tuvan shaman performing a traditional ritual in the Siberian steppes sparked a wave of heated debates on the X (Twitter) network on June 16, 2026. The discussion, which garnered thousands of views, reflects deep tension in the Turkish national identity between supporters of Islamic identity and enthusiasts of ancient Turkish heritage.

The user snmz_slck (who holds a position critical of conservative religious narratives) attacked the critics of the video, claiming that those who preach "tolerance" are actually displaying hatred toward ancient Turkish heritage. He even accused his opponents of sanctifying historical figures like "Qutayba ibn Muslim," who he claimed persecuted Turks, and disparaging authentic shamanistic rituals.

On the other hand, users identified with the conservative-Islamic line, including Turko0101 and iyissikenadam, reacted with dismissal toward the shamanistic heritage. According to Turko0101, the central argument against shamanism is a lack of authoritative historical and theological sources: "In Islam, there is a book and Hadiths, solid sources. What is there in shamanism? There isn't even decent information."

The debate revealed deep polarization, with conservative netizens defining the abandonment of Islam as the "greatest betrayal" of the nation's forefathers, as noted in a post by iyissikenadam. As of the time of reporting, the discourse surrounding the subject continues to agitate the network in Turkey, with thousands of views and comments illustrating the struggle over defining the Turkish national identity in the current decade.