A Message to Turks: The Wild Boar and Pig-Eating Iranic Scythians Weren’t Turks

A Message to Turks: The Wild Boar and Pig-Eating Iranic Scythians Weren’t Turks

By Bobby Darvish

darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

Throughout my life, I've often come across a historical misconception that certain Turkish groups lay claim to the legacy of the ancient Iranic Scythians and related cultures, especially regarding customs around animals, such as eating pork and honoring dogs. As an Iranian-American, former Muslim, and a Christian member of the LDS Church, I find it crucial to clarify some of these historical and cultural distinctions. Contrary to these claims, ancient Turks neither consumed pork nor celebrated pigs and dogs in their culture before the advent of Islam, unlike the Iranic peoples—Scythians, Sarmatians, and others—who did.

The Iranic peoples, such as the Scythians, Medes, and Persians, shared a distinct culture that celebrated animals like boars and dogs. These animals played critical roles both symbolically and practically, embodying ideals that were unique to Iranic civilization. The boar, for instance, was a revered symbol of strength, tenacity, and resilience. In art and mythology, the Iranic people often associated the boar with warriors and gods of war. This contrasts starkly with Turkish culture, which historically abstained from pork even before the influence of Islam and did not have the same symbolic respect for boars.

Iranic reverence for dogs is another profound cultural marker. Ancient Iranic religions, including Zoroastrianism, viewed dogs as protectors against evil spirits and guardians of the dead, playing essential roles in rituals and daily life. Dogs were considered spiritually pure, a belief that extended into practical roles as they guarded households and herded livestock. This contrasts with early Turkic tribes, who did not share the same symbolic or religious attachment to dogs. Islam later reinforced an aversion to both pigs and dogs among Turkic and Arab cultures alike, but it is essential to recognize that these differences in values and practices existed long before Islam’s spread.

Iranic Scythians, alongside their Greek and Germanic cousins, enjoyed a diverse diet that included pork. Pigs, wild boars, and domesticated swine were not only consumed but also respected for the sustenance they provided. In Iranic cultures, eating pork was a tradition linked to family life and the bounty of nature. These dietary habits emphasized a deep connection with the natural world, unlike the pre-Islamic Turkic diet, which excluded pork.

To sum up, for those who claim the Scythian or Iranic legacy in Turkish culture, it’s crucial to remember these fundamental differences. The Scythians, Sarmatians, and other Iranic tribes were culturally unique, and their customs reflected values and beliefs that set them apart from their Turkic neighbors. These distinctions are not trivial—they reflect centuries-old traditions that underscore the depth of Iranic civilization.

Citations:

1. Brzezinski, Richard. The Sarmatians, 600 BC-AD 450. Osprey Publishing, 2002.

2. Curtis, Vesta Sarkhosh, and Sarah Stewart. The Age of the Parthians. Bloomsbury Academic, 2007.

3. Schmitt, Rüdiger. "Scythians in the West." Encyclopædia Iranica, Vol. 15, 2008.

4. Lincoln, Bruce. Religion, Empire, and Torture: The Case of Achaemenian Persia, with a Postscript on Abu Ghraib. University of Chicago Press, 2007.

5. Boyce, Mary. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Routledge, 2001.

6. Golden, Peter B. An Introduction to the History of the Turkic Peoples. Harrassowitz Verlag, 1992.