The Saks
In the first century BC, the vast expanses of the steppes from the Black Sea to Enisey (in Siberia) and East Turkestan were settled by a nomadic people with their herds – the Scythians, who are also known as the Saks. The word “Sak” literally meant “mighty man”, (or warrior), and may have been used more explicitly to the Scythians of Central Asia as opposed to those found further West.
The Scythians established a rich, powerful empire that survived for several centuries from the 4th century BC to the 2nd century AD when they eventually succumbed to the Samarians. In some ways, however, it may be a little grand to talk about an empire – as it appears to have been more a loose confederation of tribes, some nomadic and others pastoral.
The Scythians had no written language, and so much of what we know about them has been derived from the many precious and exquisitely crafted artifacts found in their tombs. There are accounts of their raids on settlements in Asia Minor and amongst the earliest references to them in Western literature are to be found in the works of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who visited some of the lands ruled by them and he provides the first detailed description of the Scythians. Some other ancient Greek writers refer to them, and they are appear in ancient Persian Royal Inscriptions. Recently our knowledge of them has been increased by a considerable number of archaeological finds.
Saks were, amongst the ancient inhabitants of the Tian Shan’s mountains and valleys and in the Kyrgyz Republic, and archaeologists have discovered Sak “buried treasure” at nine different locations in Kyrgyzstan.
The Saks of Kyrgyzstan consisted of two tribes: the Tigrahaud-saks, who lived in northern part of the country and the Haumavarg-saks, who lived in the southern part. The Tigrahaud Saks were defeated in battle in 520 or 529 BC by the Persian king Darius I, (or Darius the Great), who imposed a new king on them. They were also known as the “Saks with pointed hats” which could well be reference to the traditional headgear of the Kyrgyz, the Ak Kalpak. The name Haumavarg Saks means ‘haoma-drinking Saks’) – haoma was a trance inducing drink made from mushrooms, which may suggest a connection with Shamanism. Herodotus informs us that they wore trousers and pointed caps, (another possible reference to the Kalpak) and he mentions they were archers and also used a battle axe (called sagaris). Despite their skills with bows and axes they were eventually subjected by the Persian king Cyrus the Great.
They were a bellicose and brave nation, and adept cavalrymen. They were feared, and admired, for their prowess in battle and their exceptional horsemanship. Their horses were It is also thought that they were amongst the earliest peoples to the first people to invent the battle chariot.
Many wore bronze helmets and chain-mail jerkins of the Greek type, lined with red felt. Their shields were generally round and made of leather, wood, or iron, and were often decorated with a central gold ornament in the form of an animal, although square and rectangular ones have also been discovered.
Many of them sported full body tattoos with extremely intricate tribal designs, depicting both real and imaginary beasts as well as mythological scenes. Looking like the forerunners of modern-day Hell’s Angels, the fierce appearance of the Scythian nomads must have had a formidable and terrifying effect on the people whose lands they invaded.
Their women were bellicose as well, taking part in all the battles equally with men and sometimes even ruled the tribes. It has been suggested that they were the original prototype of the Amazons of ancient mythology. Women even cut down their right breast in order to handle a weapon more conveniently.
Although they were basically nomads – cattle breeders and herders – they were also aware of settled agriculture and could smelt both bronze and iron. They were remarkable not only for their fighting ability, but also for the civilization they produced. They developed a class of wealthy aristocrats who left elaborate graves filled with richly worked articles of gold and other precious materials. This class of chieftains, the Royal Scyths, finally established themselves as rulers of the southern Russian and Crimea. It is there that the richest and most numerous relics of Scythian civilization have been found, including many fine examples of jewellery.
They spoke a language akin to Iranian and had a European appearance.
The Saks worshipped Tengri - God of the heavens. They also worshipped the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, and Rivers. They named the Ele-ana River, (literally mother Lena) and Enisey river (Ene say – “mother river”).
Historians think that they are ancestors of modern Turkic peoples (which includes the Kyrgyz).
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