Kuman name, Origin and Racial Features
Kumans, national composition and the meaning and origin of whose name is being discussed for years are cited under different names in sources. Therefore, they constitute an exception in Turkish societies living insteppes. Byzantines and Latins call them "Kumanos, Kumanoi, Cumanus, Ko-mani", Russians "Polovets", Germans and other Western nations "Falben, Falones, Valani, Valwen, Pallidi", and Armenians "Khartes,", Hungarians "Kun", Muslims "Kipcak" (Kifsak, Khifcakli). The names given by Russians, Germans, other Westerners and Armenians express in fact their color (yello, yellowish, light yellow, straw yellow). In the Russian chronicles where their name is recorded first (memorials of 1055 and 1056), Kumans, who were told to be of the same origin with Turkmens, Pachenegs and Torks (Uzes), were wanted to be defined with rather their outer appearance. Indeed, all sources either of eastern or western origin agree that Kumans were blond with brown hair.
Ibn Hurdadbih (in 885) explained the name Kipchak as ("angry, quick-tempered") in Islamic and Georgian sources and said that Kuman and Kun names meant "yellowish" and "pale" in Turkish dialects. J. Marquart, who conducted the first broad investigation on the origin of Kuman-Kipchaks, alleged that they were from "Kun" clan of Mongol tribe named "Murqa" which he claimed to have lived in the vicinity of Amur river in far east, was not accepted because he read some of the words in the source incorrectly and thought the word "firka" meaning party in Arabic was a name of a nation called "Murqa". This is because, Kumans faces and bodies did not bear any Mongol characteristics and there was no Mongol elements in Kuman-Kipchak language. However, some investigators who examined the racial properties of Kumans established some relations between them and Ariyan races (Indian-Europeans). Some westerner scientists including j. Marquart, P. Pelliot, W. Barthold, D. Rassovsky etc. whom we know that they are not successful in distinguishing both racilaly and culturally Turks from Mongols, stressed that Kuman character which they thought not to pertain to Turks may have derived from an Indian-European nation which became Turks in Mongol region at last.
Even Russian Grum-Grzimajlo dared to claim such society lived in northern China. It was stated that in 2nd century B.C. there was a tribe mentioned in Chinese sources (Khan period) as "brown haired, blue-green eyed" named Wu-sun (or U-sun) which continued their existence after the birth of Christ with a wolf myth which was peculiar to Turks and who were from Hun origin and culture who were called as "Kun-mo" or "Kun-mi" (Kunbeg, Kunbi?) living between the northern slopes of Tanri mountains and Isik Lake in 2nd century B.C. On the other hand, the Islam sources (El Birun about 1050, Mervezi, first quarter of 12th century) reveal that a Turkish tribe named Kun in Middle Asia withdrew to "Sarilar Ülkesi (Country of the Yellow" (Şarya) leaving their territories on the attempt of Mongol Kitan state, which was established in Nornther Chine in early 10th century, to conquer the whole continent as Liao destiny in China in 936 in particular. The relation of those Kuns, with "Yellows", with the same meaning, was weighed: For Mervezi, at least a part of Yellows or "Yellow Uygurs" (see Kan-çou Uygur State) who withdrew as far as Aral lake can be associated with "Sa Turgises" which were supposed to be in "Sarigh" town mentioned by Ibn Hurdadbih. Moreover, there are steppes on the way thought to be extended by Kimek country, recorded by Gerdizi as (Ulu Kuman?).
According to the last investigaitons on Kun-Kuman-Yellow Kipchak issue, the situation is as follows: Oghuzes between Itil-Seyhun-Irtiş in Middle Asia (before Kuman's migration to west), Kipchaks in the vicinity of işim and Kimeks toward Altays; Karluks around Isik Lake, and Yellow Uygurs were to further east in Nan-şan region (Sariya in Mervezi). There were Christian Onguts in the vicinity of Huang-ho turn. Kuns were living in those places at those times (Because Mervezi, probably, confusing with Onguts, say that Kums were Christians). Kuns (Kumans) who went to "San" drove with them a mass of Yellow Uygurs and went to Turkmen (Karluk) region from Cungarya gate and then entered Kipchak region in the north. If it is possible to associate the news in Ibn'ul Esir that 300 thousand tents of people went out of China" and wanted to attack Karahanli country but was drawn back by Karahanli Togan Bey at 8-day distance to Balasagun, then we have to accept that the reason turning kun-yellow migration to Kipcak territories should be Karahanli resistance and counter-attack.
In fact, Kipchak mass from Western Gok-Turk societies were a branch from Kimes in Irtis region inhabited in isim-Tobol valleys. Although Kasgarli was from Yimek (İmek) tribe and this tribe was considered to be the greatest of Kipchaks, it is said that Kipchaks left themselves apart. We understand from such fact according to Marquart that at those times (in second half of 11th century) Kipchak branch was dominant among Kimeks who lived as a bilateral federation (Kimek=two Yimek meaning two). Such power shift should have occurred in the beginning of the century and Kipchaks, gaining power by Kun (Kuman) Yellows' coming from the south in a period when they dominated territories from Balkas to Irtic, headed towards the west over Volga this time altogether probably because of Kitan pressure in the east and rather because scarcity of place and pasture, and on withdrawal of Uz mass before them to Balkans in 1048, passed to Southern Russia area.
Political History of Kumans
Therefore, Kumans appear for the first time in Russian chronicles in 1054. In this period when their dominance was spread as far as Dnieper, while they maintained "Kipchak" name in the east, they began to be called with the aforementioned names in the west. Kuman (Kipchak) dominance in Northern Black Sea steppes for more than 1.5 centuries until Mongol invasion left deep traces in Russian and Balkan history. Kumans defeated Russians in 1061 after leader Bolus who agreed with Pereyaslavl Knez in 1055, and in 1068, entered Pereyaslavl again on grounds that they took some Uz and Pacheneg groups fleeing them under their service and routed united army of Russian Knezes (Alta river war, near Kiyef); they approached near Cernigo knev country. Kiyef Knez escaped to Poland. Kumans (Kipchaks) who made raids on Rostovstev, Neyatin region in 1071, Voin town in 1079, and Novgorod area the next year, spread their dominance in 1080's as far as Danube mouth from Balkas lake-Talas vicinity, balance center being Don-Dniester.
This land which contained Kuban region in Caucasus was extending as far as Itıl Bulgarian border along Oka-Sura rivers in the north. Kuman-Kipchak area which constituted the whole Eastern Europe-Western Siberia Steppe regions were called "Deşt-i Kipchak" ("Kipchak Steppe") in Islam sources therefrom, and was named "Comania" in western sources (Idrisi, Rubruquis, Plano Carpini etc.) For D. Rassovsky'ye, in this period when Russians, Bulgars, Alans, Burtases (Mordva), Hazars and Ulahs lived under dominance of Ulahs, Kuman-Kipchak country consisted of 5 parts: Middle Asia, Churn-Volga, Don-Donetz, lower Dnieper, Danube.
There Kuman-Kipchaks were living under different units under governance of their own leaders (khans) each, and the allies of Byzantium in Lebunium war were undoubtedly the members of "Danube" unit. In those times, leaders named Altunapa and sarııhan were primary people who played a role in "Kipchak Steppe". Kumans first entered Hungaria in1091 and then Poland in 1092, they appeared again in Byzantium territorias in 1093.
Their raids on Russian region continued between 1093 and 1094 too. It is understood that they did not aim at invading territories. As we saw in Pachenegs, they did not leave steppe atmosphere like in all steppe-Turk political community including Hazars, and tried to maintain under pressure the political communities beyond the steppes in order to keep away from external hazards by keeping land appropriate for their own lifestyles.
Peaces realized within the conditions of Turkish territory security used to last as long as the opposite party did not break his promise. Such condition consolidated marriages sometimes. According to an agreement, Tugorkan (or Togur Khan)'s daughter married to Kiyef Knez Svyatopolk (1094); and after that, Cernigov Knez Oleg married to leader Osuluk (Uzluk)'s daughter. Thus, most of the wifes of Knezes and notables were consisting of Kuman princesses and daughters in a period. However, Kuman-Russian relations were not at ease. Because, Knezes tried to provide support from Kumans in their struggles (for example Oleg in 1095) or eliminated the men of Kuman leader with them as soon as they found the opportunity. Two envoys sent to Kiyef in early 1096 (itler and Kitan) were killed with their retinues. The event caused a war. Tugorkan and leader Kure burned some towns, and looted Kiyef and vicinity (May 1096).
However, they lost the war against Knez alliance, Tugorkan and his son died in the war. Kiyef prince Vladimir Monomakli whose two sons were married to the daughters of Kuman leaders behaved more seriously and tried to reconcile Knezes with his general meetings arranged in Liyubec town in 1097 and organize Russian resistance and won a great success against Kumans leading all Knezes in 110/3. Kumans replied with violent attacks in short intervals (4 times between 1105 and 1111). Such struggles filled Russian chronicles and enriched first Russian folk literature. After death of 4th Monomakh, when conflicts between Knezes grew violent again, Kumans could not make use of that. Kuman union in the vicinity of Kiyef which lost its youth and resistant resisting leaders one by one during constant conflicts showed signs of weekness.
Some of the Danube commanders were performing military service in Hungary going there. In the second half of 12th century, we saw that Dnieper Kumans got some better. Those took the offensive against Pereyaslavl Knez country under leadership of Koncek and Kobyak (Kopek) (1177, 1179). Those in the vicinity of Aksu (Bug) made raids toward Kiyef, but were defeated by joint Russian forces in a violent raid led by Knez Svyatoslav in 1184. Rumor has it that they lost 7000 captives among whom there was 417 beys or sons of beys. However, the reaction of Kumans was harsh: They destoryed joint Russian army under the command of Novgorod-Seversk Knez Igor by pressing near lower Don at the coast of Kayali (today's Kagalnik) river. In this war commanded by Leader Koncek, all of the Knezes in Russian army including prince Igor were caught.
They behaved the captives well, and the injuries of Igor, who managed to escape afterwards, was treated. The main subject of Russian national epic (Slovo o Polkii Igoreve) told to be the masterpiece of Russian literature is this 1185 conflict. In this Igor epic, the details of the expedition, nature, heroism, sadness, the cries of Igor's wife were all told skillfully. There emerged some allegations that the text, which was published several times since its first publication in 1800 in Russia, was improvised afterwards, however, there is no doubt that it reflects the historical event and it has a documentary value because it showed Turkish influence on Russians in terms of language, war technique, equipment, mining etc.
Kumans (Kipchaks) in the vicinity of Don and Kuban also had close relations with Georgians which caused their transition to the north of Caucasus. In the beginning of the rule of Georgian king Bagratli David the 2nd (1088-1125) which corresponds to the strongest period of Great Seljukian Empire, he tried to resist Islam-Turkish pressure and if possible, take Abhaza country and other Georgian regions back from Seljukians by providing military support from Kipchaks by establishing contacts with their closest unit to them; and conducted some operations to the south with their assistance (1109-1110), and married a Kipchak princess known for her beauty. This girl was the granddaughter of the aforementioned ledader Saruhan(Charaghan) and daughter of his son Atrak (Atraka) who was acceded to the leadership because of his being old. Atrak went to Georgia with crowded masses (40 thousand families) under his command upon invitation of the king (1118, the first grand immigration). Those Kuman-Kipchak masses revived Coruh and Kur environments "in a unique strength and vastness".
They took under control the Muslim emirates linked to Seljukians and with a horsemen army estimated to be about 40 thousand people, launched expeditions to Sirvan and Azerbaijan. In 1121, they conquered Borcali stream vicinity. In 1123, they made Tiflis they had conquered the capital of Georgian kingdom. In 1124, they advanced as far as Ispir and Oltu. They collected tax from Sirvan Shahs, had constant struggles against Ispir, Mengücüklü and Artuklu beys and Azerbaijan Atabey country afterwards. Kipchaks, establishing Georgian military force in King Giorgi the 3rd period (1156-1184), became totally dominant with famous leader Kubasar who undertook chief commander position by protecting the king from the rebel army commander Ivane Orbelian.
The Georgian state, which was founded under administration of Kipchak Beys such as Kutlu Arslan, lived its brightest age in military, political and historical aspects with entry of new Kipchak masses under command of Sevinc, brother of Kipchak leader, from the north (second grand immigration: "New Kipchaks") in the period of beautiful queen Thamara (1184-1213). Today, it is noted that people who spoke a language very close to Kipchak Turkish in the vicinity of Kur, Coruh and Cildir lake, had close relations with Kuman-Kipchak masses who came there in the same period and some motifs in regional folk literature bore the memories of that period. Il-Deniz, a notable personage of Seljukian period, who was the founder of Azerbaijan Atabey country (1146-1225), was also a Kipchak Turk from Caucasus.
The Kumans remained in Crimea peninsula apart from those who emptied Don region perhaps even completely and Kuban region partially because of their arrival to Georgia, inhabited in cities and started trade life, and even established some small towns.
However, although they occupied Kiyef in 1203 and took Galicia from Hungarians together with Russians for a short period of time, in early 13th century, there was nearly no Kuman communities left politically powerful under "Deşt-i Kipchak" union. While the ones to the east were living their old tribal lives in steppes under names such as Kipchak, Kanglı, Yimek, Uran etc., they increased their contacts with Harezmşahlar State "especially in the period of Sultan Alaeddin Tekis" (1172-1200), and took military duties in this Turkish-Islam state and performed great services in enhancing of the borders. In the eve of invasion of the Middle East by Mongols, they comprised nearly all of the military power of Hazemsah empire. However, this army was totally eliminated by Mongols (1220).
Deşti Kipcak failed against Mongols. The communities of Kumans in the vicinity of Crimea, who nearly turned to be the assistants of Russians, by being forced to leave the great commercial port of Black Sea and its vicinity to Anatolian Seljukians (1226), could not recover from the damages of the economic shock. Kuman-Kipchaks who were defeated together with Russians (Kalka war) against two Mongol divisions commanded by Cebe and Subatai even in 1223, could not resist the Mongol army commanded by the grandson of Genghis, Batu, who advanced toward inner Deşt-i Kipchak and ran over Itil Bulgaria routing Russian Knezes' military forces.
In Don-Donetz basin, the forces under leader Koten command were separated (1239) and the leader took refuge in Hungary with those who could save themselves. A crowded community of Kuman-Kipchaks went to Itil Bulgaria and gaining the population majority there, caused generalization of Kipchak Turkish instead of Bulgarian dialect. After Altınordu state was established whole Kipchak steppes being invaded by Mongols (1256), Kuman-Kipchaks had no roles left despite the term "Deşt-i Kipchak" was used for a long time.
Kuman-Kipchaks showed themselves better in Egypt at the same time. Kuman-Kipchaks whom we saw that because of their being separated and narrowing possibilities had aggreviating life conditions as from early 13th century, began to send against money to other and more prosperous countries their sturdy and healty children in years of scarcity and animal diseases according to an old tradition. Since Eyyubi state had to provide military force from foreigners, Kipchak, Oghuz, Chircassian youth from Deşt-i Kipchak and Caucasus and trained them in special barracks. At the same time, we see many Kuman-Kipchaks youths went to Egypt and took duty in the army. At last, upon proclamation of İzzüddin Ay-beg as sultan of Eyyubis in 1250, the Egypt "Turkish State" was seized by Kuman-Kipchak people in a short time.
One of these, Sultan Baybars, succeeding Sultan Kotuz, who was probably also a Kipchak, showed himself as both a powerful soldier and a high statesman (1260-1277). He became the distinguished ruler of his times by reviving Islam caliphate and driving Mongols away from Syria. Sultan Kalavun (1279-1290), who succeeded him, was also a Kipchak. As "the greatest Islam ruler" who defeated Mongol-Armenian-European joint armies, continued his contacts with his native land, had friendly rlations with Altinordu state, and became the founder of first ruler dynasty in Egyptian-Turkish state. His sons reigned the state until the government passed to Circassian Kolemens (1290-1382). The state was referred to as "Turkish State (Ed-Devlet'üt-Türkiya or Devlet'ül-Etrak) within this peirod, and Egypt and Syria were called "Turkey". The common language and common culture for the people was Turkish excluding the local people who spoke Arabic in general. While such situation continued under Circassian rule, the country passed to Ottoman Turks (1517).
Sultan Balaban (1266-1286), who is more commonly called as Ulug Khan, being the founder of the 2nd ruler family in Delhi Turkish Sultanate in India, was also one of Kipchak personages who went to Delhi in his youth and took state service.
Kuman's Historical Roles and Traces
The historical roles of Pacheneg-Uz-Kuman(Kipchaks), who dominated Eastern Europe-Western Siberia steppes during 9 to 13th century, do not constitute merely of what we have listed above. Those have other important memories with traces until now.First, those Turkish tribes did not let Russians go south to the Black sea and come to Balkans. That Russian country adjacent to the steppes were subject to constant Kuman raids, forced Slav people migrate to Suzdan vicinity (to Moscow river basin).
Thus, the Finnish people in the vicinity of Moscow and Oka, mingled with Slavs, in other words, were represented by Slavs and such mingling cretaed a Great Russian mass.Kumans, while they remained in Kipchak open countries, used to impose great and multidirectional effects on particularly South Russian Knezes and their people. Kumans were known for the beauty of their bodies; in particular, beautiful Kuman girls were many. This Turkish tribe, just like Pachenegs and Uzes, could not rise to the stage of establishing a state. Such Kuman (Kipchak) delegation consisting of several clans, used to live in a strong military organization under the administration of the tribe leaders.
They made raids on Russian country nearly every year and took what they needed, especially captives. Another point is that they became effective in becoming Turkish of Dagistan vicinity, Terek region and other regions. It is known that berendis who are cited as people inhabited in Knez countries in Russian histories and who are still remembered in that region were some Pachenegs and that Kara-Kalpaks who are claimed to be defending the borders in Kiyef Knez country were a mixture of Pacheneg-Uz and Berendis. It is understood that some of these went to the mouth of Ceyhun and formed today's Kara Kalpaks later on. It is strongly alleged that Cangos, who can be easily distinguished from their surrounding communities with their light yellow hair and blue eyes were from Kuman origin.
After 1223 Kalka war, the masses under the command of leader of Kumans in Moldavia, Borc Han, accepted Christianity in that region which was called "Cumania" in those times and a bishop was assigned for them. Upon the defeat of 1239, they settled down between Tuna-Tisa under Koten rule. The names of places there are their memories there (such as Kis-Kunsag, Nagy-Kunsag= Little and Big Kumans; Debrecen-Doju, a big university in Hunary yhn-Kartsag city etc.). The "middle level" of Turkish words in Hungarian language pertains to Kuman-Kipchak language.
Just as Avars organized Slavs some time before, Pacheneg and Kuman government heads also had similar great services. It is understood that Kumans who lived crowdedly in the southern part of Danube between 1185 and 1237 played the primary role in the fight of independence of Kumans against Byzantium (1185-1195). It is stated that Czar Asen (1187-1196), who won the struggle and acceeded to the 2nd Bulgarian State throne and who played an important role in organizing of Ulahs (afterwards, Romans) and that some of the later Bulgarian rulers were also Kuman. Byzantium-Iznik Emperor J.
Vatatzes (1222-1254) inhabited most of the Kumans fleeing Mongols in Thrace, Macedonia and western Anatolia against military service obligation in return for territory.
The effects of Pachenegs, Uzes and Kuman-Kipchaks in establishment of an ethnical and political situation near eastern Danube are quite considerable. Although it was claimed that Gagauzes, who live in Romania and speak Turkish as their native language may have relations with Seljukians who went there in 13th century, it is more probable that they might be a Uz mass who became Christians. Some Turkish place names in Romania (Teleorman, Dereh-lui (valley), Turlui (tui\u=salt\y), Arges, Bragan, Cumana, Peçinaga, Carais -nan etc.) and Turkish words in Roman language are mostly the conclusions of that period. It is seen that the first roman state established about 1330 in the same region was founded by a leader family of Kuman-Kipchaks people origin. Its founder was Tok-temir, son of Basar-aba (basmak (step on) verb makes basar-t-aba).
The names derived with the suffix (=apa, Turkish title), in Turkish were common in Oghuzes (Ay-aba, Boz-aba) and in Eastern and Middle Europe and Egypt Kipchak-Kuman regions (Altın-aba, Tomuz-aba, It-aba, Arslan-aba etc.). Basarabya region in north Romania bears the same name. Although we can see titles such as Basar, Baserogul in Mongols in Deşt-i Kipchak, taking into consideration the fact not only that this word is of Turkish origin, but also that during Mongol domination Turkish was spoken and majority of the people spoke Turkish, we understand that Basaraba represents Turkish culture, probably among Mongols who became Turk. The pure Turkish names of Roman statesmen in 15th and 16th century, Akbaş, Akkuş, Bozdogan, Bilik, Berendey, Barak, Bars, Buga, Belçir, Kara, Kızıl, Kazan, Şişman, Temirtaş, Tok, Ötemiş etc. consolidates this idea.
It is also possible to relate the "state" founded in Dobruca in the second half of 14th century to Kuman Turks. In this period when both Bulgarian and Byzantine governments weakened, Dobrotiç (Dobruca derives from this name), who was the son of one of the local leaders of Danube region, Balika, whose help was demanded by Byzantine empress Anna (1346), became the dominant power of the region to be called with his name afterwards as from 1354, and played an important role in Balkans and Black Sea until 1385. This little country is thought to be under Roman domination in the period of his son Ivanko (toward the end of 14th century), whose copper coins were obtained. The territories of this little Turkish "Dobruca State" were acquired by Ottomans in 1417.
Romen State was established by Kipchaks
Kuman-Kipchaks prevented Russians' going south to Black sea and rendered Kipchak culture dominant in Balkans like in vast Kipchak steppes. Mongols who came to the Eastern Europe with Genghis Khan forces were in minority. Their proportion in Turks was no more than twenty five percent. They became Turks in a short time. There was always a leader from Genghis generation for the countries established to govern great Turkish masses, but since the greatest mass was Kuman-Kipchaks, Kipchak language and culture went on ass usual. Since in countries such as Kasim Country, Kazan Country, Crimea Country, Uzbek Country, the main mass was "Hazar-Kipchak-Uz" and in particular because they were Muslims, language unity and religious unity was preserved.
However, Kuman-Kipchaks were separated in Balkans, Hungary, Poland and Austria.They lead the states they established or dominated on. They had changed their traditions and habits since they got Christians, however, they left some cultural traces which still exist today.Kumans ensured establishment of Roman State in 1330. This state was governed by a Turkish leader called "Basar Aba". Today's Basarabia's name was derived from his name. The founder of the small Dobruca State was also Kipchaks.Dobruca name is derived from Dobrotic or Dobric, the son of Kuman-Kipchaks leader Balik. Gagauzes who live in Romania and still speak their native language Turkish, are nothing but Christianized Uzes (Gagauz=Kara Uz (Black Uz)).
The names of Roman statesmen in 15th and 16th centuries were in Turkish all: Akbaş, Akkuş, Barak, Bars, Baybars, Kazan, Ötemis, Berkiş, Bilik, Kara, Buğa, Çolpan, Toluntay, Payandur, Tuttarkan (Tutrakan)... etc. Today, names of many places in Balkans and Poland are memories from Kuman-Kipchaks.
Perhaps the most important memory of Kuman language which all Turks spread from Middle Asia to Hungary in those times and which is referred to as "Kipchak dialect" ("Lingia Coma-nesca" in the west) in scientific world, is the Kuman-Latin-Persian Language and Kuman-German dictionary (and Grammar) book issued by Italian, German missionaries and merchants in Crimea in 1303, which is about the Christianity period of Kumans but is agreed to be one of the distinguished keepsakes of Turkish language.