Cultural Appropriation by Turks and Non-Iranic Peoples: Reclaiming the Iranic Heritage of the Scythians (Sakas)

Iranic Scythians (Sakas)

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

Cultural appropriation is a phenomenon I’ve witnessed and experienced firsthand as an Iranian-American, from my early years grappling with identity under the shadow of political Islam to my journey toward understanding the profound legacies of my Iranic ancestors. Among the most glaring misappropriations I’ve encountered is the attempt by some groups, particularly Turkic nationalists, to claim the Scythians (Sakas) as their own. This assertion is not only historically baseless but an affront to the rich and undeniable Iranic heritage of the Scythians.

The Scythians Were Iranic, Not Turkic

The claim that the Scythians were Turkic disregards substantial historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence. The Scythians, or Sakas, were nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples who thrived across the Eurasian Steppe between the 8th century BCE and the 2nd century CE. Their language, as confirmed by ancient Greek sources such as Herodotus, Persian inscriptions, and the etymology of Scythian names, was unequivocally Eastern Iranian. Herodotus referred to the Scythians as having customs and linguistic traits similar to other known Iranian peoples, while the Achaemenid inscriptions from Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam document the Sakas as part of the Iranic cultural and political world.

The names of Scythian leaders and tribes, such as Skilurus, Ateas, and the Dahae, exhibit distinct Iranic linguistic roots. Furthermore, archaeological finds, including burial mounds (kurgans), reveal artifacts and practices consistent with Iranic traditions, such as horse burials and intricate goldwork mirroring Achaemenid styles. These linguistic and material legacies make it abundantly clear that the Scythians were part of the broader Iranic family.

Turkic Influence Emerged Much Later

Turkic-speaking peoples began expanding into Central Asia long after the Scythian era, during the period of the Turkic Khaganate (6th century CE) and subsequent migrations. The collapse of Iranic empires, such as the Sassanid dynasty, and the rise of Islam facilitated Turkic incursions into historically Iranic territories. However, these incursions were a product of political and demographic shifts, not a reflection of ancient Scythian origins.

Even the dominance of Turkic-speaking groups in Central Asia today results from later historical events, such as the Mongol conquests and Ottoman expansions. This Turkicization of certain regions does not negate the Scythians’ Iranic heritage any more than the Roman conquest of Gaul negates the Celtic origins of the Gauls.

Exaggerations About Turkic Influence in Iran and Iraq

Some proponents of the "Turkic Scythian" narrative go further by making inflated claims about Turkic linguistic dominance in regions such as Iran and Iraq. While it is true that Turkic languages like Azeri and Turkmen are spoken in parts of Iran, they do not represent the linguistic or cultural majority. Over 50% of Iran’s population speaks Persian, a Western Iranic language, while other Iranic languages, such as Kurdish, Gilaki, and Baluchi, remain prominent.

In Iraq, the influence of Turkic languages is even smaller, confined to Turkmen communities. These figures are a far cry from the exaggerated claims that half of Iran or Iraq speaks Turkic. Such distortions undermine the reality of Iranic cultural and linguistic continuity in these regions.

The Legacy of the Scythians in Modern Iranian Peoples

The legacy of the Scythians endures most clearly in contemporary Iranian peoples such as the Kurds, Pashtuns, and Persians, whose languages and traditions trace back to the Eastern Iranian branch. For example, Kurdish and Pashto contain linguistic features and vocabulary directly descended from ancient Scythian dialects. These groups, along with others like the Ossetians, are the living heirs of the Scythians’ Iranic legacy.

The continued survival of Turkic languages in former Scythian territories reflects the political dominance of Turkic-speaking empires, not the origins of the Scythians themselves. To equate the two is to ignore the evidence and rewrite history for nationalist purposes.

Reclaiming the Iranic Identity of the Scythians

As an Iranian-American, I feel a deep responsibility to push back against these attempts to appropriate Iranic history. The Scythians were our ancestors, their language and culture forming a crucial part of the broader tapestry of Iranian civilization. To allow their legacy to be misappropriated is to deny the truth of our shared heritage.

The story of the Scythians is one of resilience and influence, from the Eurasian steppes to the heartlands of ancient Iran. Reclaiming this history is not just an academic exercise but a cultural imperative for Iranian peoples and their descendants worldwide.

---

Citations

1. Herodotus. Histories, Book IV. Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt, Penguin Classics, 1996.
2. Harmatta, János. “The Rise of the Scythian Kingdom.” History of Civilizations of Central Asia, UNESCO Publishing, 1994.
3. Frye, Richard N. The Heritage of Persia. Mazda Publishers, 1993.
4. Diakonoff, I. M. “The Median and Achaemenian Periods.” The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol. 2, Cambridge University Press, 1985.
5. Vogelsang, Willem. The Rise and Organization of the Achaemenid Empire. Brill Academic Publishers, 1992.
6. Schmitt, Rüdiger. “The Old Persian Inscriptions.” Iranian Studies, vol. 22, no. 1, 1989, pp. 1-20.