Page 27 - صبا 06

Mongolian Shamanic beliefs:

Commonalities with ancient iranian beliefs and rituals
Hossein Al - Rabiei 1
Master's student of Persian Language and Literature, Open University, Al-Mustafa
International University of Qom, Qom, Iran
Supervisor: Nasim keramat 2
Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language & Literature, open University, Al-
Mustafa International University of Qom, Qom, Iran

Abstract

The Mongols were a group of nomadic yellow tribes living in the northern and
northwestern regions of China. These tribes followed Shamanism, a primitive and
ancient religion that dates back at least to the Paleolithic era. They were highly
superstitious and believed in magic and spirits. Shamans believed in an unseen
singular God, but alongside this, they also worshiped the sky and its manifestations.
Generally, the Mongols were not strict in their religious practices, and after entering
Iran and dominating it in the 7th century, some of them converted to other religions.
Besides fearing spiritual powers, which may explain their indifference towards the
religions of the local people, another reason for their lack of strictness and gradual
acceptance of Iranian culture and religion could be the existence of certain
similarities in beliefs and convictions. These similarities are not coincidental and
may indicate a common source for ancient Iranian and shamanistic rituals. Among
the significant works that encompass the customs, lifestyle, beliefs, and wisdom of
ancient Iranian people is "Shahnameh" by Ferdowsi, which clearly reflects ancient
Iranian rituals such as Mithraism and Zoroastrianism. This article compares some of
the similarities related to the mentioned rituals and beliefs in Shahnameh with those
of Mongolian shamanism, which can serve as a valuable introduction for further
research by scholars, including in the fields of religious studies and mythology.

Key words: Mongol, Iranian, Shamanism, Shahnameh, Religion and rituals.

1 Email: husain66@gmail.com
2 Email: Nassim.karamat@yahoo.com.