Research Information System
MILLI FOLKLOR, no.89, pp.100-108, 2011 (AHCI)
For Turks, the elements regarding oaths are weapons, sacrificing horses, pots, canes, notching an item, giving and receiving presents, skins and heads of animals. In ceremonies of blood brotherhood the parties would drink the blood they mixed in a pot. Arrows, spears, war axes and swords were used during these ceremonies. Among these items swords appear to have been used for a long time and were considered as holy. It was on the sword that Turks took their oath. In ceremonies held between states or tribes, horses were sacrificed. The use of a pot was remarkable in ceremonies of blood brotherhood and oath. A bowl or a drink horn made out of earth, silver or gold was used for these purposes. In ceremonies of oath taking staffs were commonly in use to jump over it to take the oath. Notching an item would serve in the same way. Presents were exchanged during ceremonies in which two persons confirmed their friendship. Skins and heads of animals, especially those of a cattle or a horse's head in turn, were again observable during oath ceremonies. The Turks especially regarded the horse skull as sacred.