The Burden of Truth: My Alani (Scythian) Y-DNA and the Pan-Turkic Falsehoods

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 

It’s both a gift and a challenge to know where you come from. As someone whose DNA traces back to the Alani branch of the Iranic Scythians, I carry a legacy that connects me to an ancient, proud people who roamed the steppes of Eurasia. Yet, in a world obsessed with narratives and identity, this heritage often comes with layers of misrepresentation and outright lies, especially from those pushing the Pan-Turkic agenda.

The Legacy of Alani (Scythian) Heritage

The Alani were an Iranic-speaking, nomadic people, descendants of the broader Scythian (Saka) confederation. Their culture, language, and traditions were unmistakably Iranic. Modern linguistic and historical studies consistently classify them as part of the broader family of Iranic peoples, with their Indo-Iranian linguistic roots being well-documented. Yet today, as I grapple with the implications of carrying Alani Y-DNA, I am surrounded by a sea of misinformation perpetuated by Pan-Turkic revisionists.

For the record, it’s almost comical how the Pan-Turkic narrative attempts to erase the Iranic roots of the Alani and Scythians. These revisionists argue that the Scythians were not Iranic but instead Turko-Mongolic or Altaic. This assertion is as false as claiming the Norse Vikings were of Chinese descent. To anyone who values historical accuracy, the claim is absurd, but in a world where identity is weaponized, truth often takes a back seat to political agendas.

My Personal Connection

As someone with Alani Y-DNA, I sometimes wish it were different—not because I am ashamed of my ancestry, but because the burden of dealing with these fabrications can be tiresome. My genetic profile also includes 12% Norse Viking DNA, and while I respect and honor my Alani lineage, there is a certain mystique and appeal to the Viking legacy. However, unlike those who manufacture false ties to heritage, I accept my identity as it is, rather than attempting to rewrite history.

The Pan-Turkic Agenda

Pan-Turkists have long sought to claim every significant culture or people of the Eurasian steppes as "Turkic," regardless of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This agenda is driven not by a search for truth but by a desire to expand a cultural and political narrative that suits their ideology.
Iranic-speaking peoples like the Scythians, Alani, and Sarmatians predate the arrival of Turkic-speaking peoples in Central Asia. Historical records from Greek, Roman, and Persian sources, as well as modern genetic studies, affirm the Iranic identity of these ancient tribes.

It is ironic to see Iranic peoples, who have been linguistically Turkified over centuries of historical change, now echo these Pan-Turkic lies. They deny their own roots in favor of a narrative that erases their ancestors’ contributions to civilization. As someone with Alani Y-DNA, I can say unequivocally that the Scythians were Iranic, not Turkic.

The Sad Irony of Identity Erasure

One of the greatest tragedies of this discourse is how it impacts the self-perception of Iranic peoples today. Instead of celebrating their rich heritage, many have internalized false narratives and embraced a foreign identity. This self-denial is particularly prevalent among those in regions historically Turkified by conquest and assimilation.

As a proud Iranian-American and someone who has embraced the truth of my heritage, I stand firm in rejecting these lies. I find it laughable when those with no claim to the Iranic Scythian legacy try to dismiss its truth. They project their insecurity onto people like me, who are not “trying” to be anything—we simply are.

Finding Strength in Truth

While I might sometimes wish for a simpler heritage, free from the distortions of Pan-Turkic propaganda, I am grateful for the clarity that comes with knowing the truth. My Alani Y-DNA ties me to a lineage of warriors and pioneers who shaped the ancient world. My Norse DNA, while a smaller percentage, reminds me of the interconnectedness of human history. Together, these heritages shape who I am, and I embrace them with pride.

In a world obsessed with rewriting history for ideological ends, the burden of truth can feel heavy, but it is a burden worth carrying. To those pushing the falsehoods of the Pan-Turkic narrative: I am not the sad one here. You are. The truth of my identity, rooted in the Alani and the broader Iranic world, will endure long after your lies have faded.

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Citations

1. Harmatta, János. History of Civilizations of Central Asia, Volume II: The Development of Sedentary and Nomadic Civilizations. UNESCO, 1994.
2. Mallory, J.P., and Adams, Douglas Q. The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. Oxford University Press, 2006.
3. Di Cosmo, Nicola. "Ancient China and Its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History." Cambridge University Press, 2002.
4. Schmitt, Rüdiger. "Iranian Identity in Ancient Times." Encyclopaedia Iranica, iranicaonline.org/articles/iranian-identity-in-ancient-times.
5. Golden, Peter B. An Introduction to the History of the Turkic Peoples. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 1992.