As a consequence, the view stating that the name of Kaşkay came from the word of Kaşka (a horse or a saddle horse with a white brow) is the most realistic opinion. This is reinforced by the facts that Kaşkay people led a nomadic life and they have bred strong horses so far (they even exported these horses to foreign countries) and their children learn to ride at early ages. The view of Kaşkay people stating that Kaşkay is equal to horse and horse is equal to Kaşkay exhibits this relation clearly. We are convinced that the word of Kaşkay has come from the word kaşka (a horse or a saddle horse with a white brow). However, we agree that this issue should be examined and investigated in details in order to illuminate these issues about how and when they took this name. The issue that is agreed by all the researchers is that the Kaşkay people were rooted from Turks. The difference of opinion is focused on the Turkish tribe that the Kaşkay people belonged to.
Considering that Kaşkay people is a branch of Azerbaijani, Halaç or Anatolian Turks is not an adequate determination. The close similarity among these languages (particularly the Azerbaijani Turkish and the Turkish spoken in Turkey) cannot be considered as the conclusive evidence for the fact that they are the members of these people. According to our conviction, Kaşkay people emigrated from Turkistan to the Caucasus upon the obligations of the historical events. They stayed there for a long time and they were under the effect of the Caucasus languages (particularly the Azerbaijani Turkish). In the first half of the 16th century, they were forced to immigrate to Persia by the Shah Ismail Safevi (1501-1524). They were in close relation with the Anatolian Turkmens especially in the Seljuk period and there may have been some Turkish elements that came from Anatolia and joined the tribal union of Kaşkay. The complication of their language and some other characteristics confirm this supposition. In other words, there are some elements that came from small or large tribes within the Kaşkay tribes. It is not possible to consider that Kaşkay Province is composed of a single tribe or nation. Similarly, it is incorrect to relate them with only one nation. The groups included within the Kaşkay union must be individually investigated and examined to determine these matters in a definite manner.
The End
Back to Menu