Ak Cañ / Süt Cañ (Burhanism) as an Enlightenment Movement in Southern Siberia (Altai Region): Formation, Historical Course and Basic Principles

Abstract

During the Russo-Japanese War (February 8, 1904 - September 5, 1905), the belief system known as Burhanism in the Western literature, but called Ak Cañ (Ak Religion) or Süt Cañ (Süt Religion) by the Altai Turks, emerged. This religion was inspired by the legends about the return of Oirot Kaan, a khan who would return to save his people from oppression, and by some historical figures such as Amir Sanaa and Şunu. Ak Cañ/Süt Cañ (Burhanism) belief emerged and developed among the Altai Turks in 1904. This belief system can also be accepted as the Nativistic Movement, which is seen in different parts of the world. Although Ak Cañ emerged as a reaction to the Russians, everything that is Russian, Christianity, and Altai Shamanism; it has reintroduced some elements of Altai Shamanism over the course of time. It is seen that the attitude against the Russians weakened, especially with the use of Russian words in prayers and the inevitable use of many Russian elements. There are various factors that led to the emergence of this belief system. These can be listed as follows: rage against the Russians; the unjust settlement of the Russians on Altai land; the economic pressure of Russian merchants; the pressure of the missionaries; the weakness of Altai Shamanism against Christianity and its inability to respond to needs; the propaganda of Mongolian Buddhists, and the sympathy for Japan that emerged among the Altai Turks due to the Russian-Japanese tension. Burhanism (Ak Cañ/Süt Cañ), which emerged for these reasons, has become one of the most important elements in the search for identity by Altai Turks after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.