The Impact of Zoroastrianism on Ağrı and its Surroundings

Abstract

From the past to the present, people living in the same or close geographies have been influenced by each other's culture, customs, traditions, and religions as a result of neighborly relations, trade, migrations, and wars. Iran has also influenced its neighboring border countries, especially in religious matters, from the moment it started to show its presence on the stage of history. In this study, the impact of Zoroastrianism, which was founded by Zoroaster 3500 years ago, on our country and especially on Ağrı and its surroundings, one of the frontier cities of Anatolia, has been investigated. With the Gürbulak border gate located in Ağrı, Ağrı is the closest place to Iran in Turkey in terms of geographical location. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the World, with approximately 200,000 followers in the world today. Although it is not known exactly where and when Zoroaster was born, it is generally accepted that he lived between 628-551 BC. Zoroastrianism was not limited to the lands where it was born, but also spread to most parts of the world. Zoroaster, who defended righteousness under the leadership of Ahura Mazda, made the basic distinction between good and evil and created the belief in the afterlife around the phenomenon of heaven and hell. The bridge of Sırât, which is a part of Islamic belief and which must be crossed to get to heaven, is one of the influences of Zoroastrianism in Turkey. Another important issue is having children and ensuring the continuation of the family lineage, which underpins the solidity of the family institution. When a baby is born, the isolation of the baby and mother from society for 40 or 50 days is one of the phenomena that we have acculturated under the influence of Zoroastrianism. In Zoroastrianism, after 40 days of waiting, all the items used by the woman who gave birth were cleaned by burning, while in Ağrı, this ritual came to life by cleaning with water. The main purpose of this study is to reveal how Zoroastrianism has found its place in Turkish culture. This study has a very important place in terms of revealing the basic similarities and differences of the culture, customs, and traditions formed around two different beliefs. In this study, a literature review and group sampling were conducted, and face-to-face interviews were used. Even the basis of the belief in the Mahdi, defined by Western researchers as Ghost-Danc, is mentioned as "Saoshiant", meaning "helper, savior" in the Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrianism, and in the Gathas, the sayings of Zoroaster, before he came to Anatolia. In Zoroastrianism, it is believed that the Mahdi will come from Zoroaster's lineage. In Ağrı, a savior is expected and believed to fight the evil that will increase before the apocalypse. The savior character of Zoroastrianism, Saoshiant, played an important role in the formation of the Mahdi belief in Shiite doctrine. In particular, this belief has shown its presence in Ararat and its environs, along with the Shi'ism that dominated Iran and its environs. Within the framework of these and similar examples, we can say that although the emergence of Zoroastrianism dates back to the past, it has shown its influence in many places, especially in the geography where it exists. We see traces of Zoroastrianism in social life, religious beliefs and life, education, family, and many other areas in and around Ağrı.