Kipchaks
Turkic nomadic confederation of the Eurasian Steppe, known as Polovtsians in Russian sources.
Quick Facts: Who was Kipchaks?
- Subject:
- Kipchaks
- Known for:
- Turkic nomadic confederation of the Eurasian Steppe, known as Polovtsians in Russian sources.
- Died:
- Living / None
- Verified Source:
- 2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives
Origins & Early Life
The Kipchaks, also spelled Qipchaqs, known as Polovtsians (Polovtsy) in Russian sources, were Turkic nomads and then a confederation that existed in the Middle Ages inhabiting parts of the Eurasian Steppe. First mentioned in the eighth century as part of the Second Turkic Khaganate, they most likely inhabited the Altai region from where they expanded over the following centuries, first as part of the Kimek–Kipchak confederation and later as part of a confederation with the Cumans. There were groups of Kipchaks in the Pontic–Caspian steppe, China, Syr Darya, and Siberia. Cumania was conquered by the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century and integrated into the Golden Horde, which also went on to become known as Kipchak Khanate and the start of a massive Mongolisation of culture, in which the Kipchak identity was codified permanently when they started to blur the line of Mongols and Turks to become the modern formation of Turco-Mongol identity. The Kipchaks interpreted their name as meaning "hollow tree" (cf. Middle Turkic: kuv ağaç); according to them, inside a hollow tree, their original human ancestress gave birth to her son.
Career & Major Achievements
Németh points to the Siberian qıpčaq "angry, quick-tempered" attested only in the Siberian Sağay dialect (a dialect of Khakas language). Klyashtorny links Kipchak to qovı, qovuq "unfortunate, unlucky"; yet Golden sees a better match in qıv "good fortune" and adjectival suffix -čāq. Regardless, Golden notes that the ethnonym's original form and etymology "remain a matter of contention and speculation". On the Kipchak steppe, a complex ethnic assimilation and consolidation process took place between the 11th and 13th centuries. The western Kipchak tribes absorbed people of Oghuz, Pecheneg, ancient Bashkir, Bulgar and other origin; the eastern Kipchak merged with the Kimek, Karluk, Kara-Khitai and others.
Enduring Legacy & Impact
They were all identified by the ethnonym Kipchak. Groups and tribes of possible Mongolic or para-Mongolic extraction were also incorporated into the eastern Kipchak conglomerate. Peter Golden argues that the Ölberli were pushed westwards due to socio-political changes among the para-Mongolic Khitans, such as the collapse of the Liao dynasty and formation of the Qara Khitai, and attached themselves to the eastern Kipchak confederation where they eventually came to form a part of the ruling strata and elite. Golden identifies the Ölberli with the Qay whom are recorded as the Xi in Chinese sources and Tatabı in Turkic inscriptions, and were of Mongolic or para-Mongolic background – likely stemming from the Xianbei. Chinese histories only mentioned the Kipchaks a few times: for example, during Yuan dynasty Mongolian general Tutuha's origin from Kipchak tribe Ölberli, or some information about the Kipchaks' homeland, horses, and the Kipchaks' physiognomy and psychology.
Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kipchaks
True or False: “The Kipchaks were always politically and culturally distinct from the Mongols throughout their history.”
Answer (FALSE ❌): Historical accounts show that the Kipchak identity blurred significantly with the Mongols, leading to a modern Turco-Mongol identity formation.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kipchaks
Who was Kipchaks and what are their primary contributions?
Turkic nomadic confederation of the Eurasian Steppe, known as Polovtsians in Russian sources. Origins & Early Life: The Kipchaks, also spelled Qipchaqs, known as Polovtsians (Polovtsy) in Russian sources, were Turkic nomads and then a confederation that existed in the Middle Ages inhabiting parts of the Eurasian Steppe. First mentioned in the eighth century as part of the Second Turkic Khaganate, they most likely inhabited the Altai region from where they expanded over the following centuries, first as part of the Kimek–Kipchak confederation and later as part of a confederation with the Cumans. There were groups of Kipchaks in the Pontic–Caspian steppe, China, Syr Darya, and Siberia. Cumania was conquered by the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century and integrated into the Golden Horde, which also went on to become known as Kipchak Khanate and the start of a massive Mongolisation of culture, in which the Kipchak identity was codified permanently when they started to blur the line of Mongols and Turks to become the modern formation of Turco-Mongol identity. The Kipchaks interpreted their name as meaning "hollow tree" (cf. Middle Turkic: kuv ağaç); according to them, inside a hollow tree, their original human ancestress gave birth to her son.
Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Kipchaks?
Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia