From the 13th century onward in Europe, being Turkish often meant being Muslim, and vice versa. This association became so prominent that Turks were recognized as Muslims not just in their own lands but throughout Europe and beyond. However, the Turkish identity spans thousands of years, encompassing diverse religious traditions. While Islam is the predominant faith among Turks, there are also Jewish Turks, known as the Karaites, who have preserved their language, beliefs, and culture for over a millennium.
Karaites can still be found across the world, including in Crimea, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Israel, Romania, Turkey, and the United States. Let’s explore the history, beliefs, and language of the Karay Turks, a unique community that has survived centuries of change.
Historical Background of the Karaites
The name Karay is derived from the Hebrew word “Karaim,” which means “to read.” In this context, it refers to the Old Testament, the oldest sacred text in Judaism. Unlike mainstream Jews, Karaites reject the Talmud and the Rabbinic Torah, relying instead solely on the Old Testament (Tanakh) as their religious guide.
Originating in the 10th century, the Karaites split from the Khazar Khaganate, blending Jewish monotheism with the traditional Turkic Sky God belief system. This synthesis gave rise to the unique identity of the Karay Turks, meaning “those who read the Old Testament.”
The Crimean Peninsula became their cultural and religious center. By the late 14th century, their presence extended to Lithuania, where Grand Duke Vytautas brought 380 Karaites from Crimea and settled them in Trakai, near his palace. Over time, the Karaite population in Trakai grew to 5,000, with the establishment of wooden houses and Karaite synagogues known as Kenessas.
The Karaim Language: A Dying Turkic Tongue
The Karaites have fiercely preserved their traditions, especially their language, known as Karaim—a unique branch of the Kipchak Turkic language family. Karaim is closely related to Crimean Tatar, Nogai, Karaçay, and Kipchak Turkish. Today, approximately 5,000 speakers of Karaim remain worldwide.
Turkish scholar Erdoğan Altınkaynak has documented Karaim’s rich linguistic heritage in his book “Tozlu Zaman Perdesinde Kırım Karayları” (Crimean Karaites Behind the Veil of Time). Meanwhile, Dr. Timur Kocaoğlu of Koç University has launched initiatives to preserve and revitalize the Karaim language, which is currently endangered.
Karaites in Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire
Due to long-standing ties between the Khazar Empire and Byzantium, Karaites had a presence in Anatolia for centuries. After the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed the Conqueror, many Karay Turks settled in Istanbul, especially in the Galata district. Some researchers even link the name “Karaköy” to “Karay Köy” (Karay Village), where a Karaite cemetery still exists.
In Hasköy, another historic neighborhood of Istanbul, a Karaite synagogue dating back 1,000 years continues to serve the community, standing as a testament to the enduring legacy of Jewish Turks in the region.
The story of the Karaites is a compelling chapter in the broader narrative of Turkish and Jewish history. Their unique blend of Turkic identity and Jewish faith, their distinct language, and their cultural resilience highlight the diversity within Turkish heritage. Today, their contributions and struggles serve as a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation in an increasingly globalized world.
