Human–Hedgehog Relationships in Turkic-Speaking Areas

Folklore, Linguistic Expressions and Medicinal Practices

Abstract

Hedgehogs play an important cultural role among various peoples in Eurasia. They appear in myths, and are regarded as wise guides, protectors, or magical creatures. Some important biocultural domains where human–hedgehog relationships are particularly visible are food and medicine. Moreover, the animal also appears in metaphors, other linguistic expressions, and storytelling traditions.

Using a wide and varied range of sources, this article analyzes the human–hedgehog relationship among different Turkic peoples. It discusses the different names for hedgehogs in various Turkic languages, the metaphorical use of hedgehogs in plant names, and the animal’s presence in riddles, proverbs, and other linguistic expressions.

As exemplified in the article, the hedgehog has played an important role among the Turkic peoples, especially in medicine. The extensive materials in medical manuscripts from Eastern Turkestan are examined in detail. These show that the intestines and other body parts of hedgehogs were used to cure a number of ailments or for diverse non-medical purposes. The article demonstrates that, as with the other Eurasian peoples, the hedgehog can be considered a culturally significant species for the various Turkic peoples.