Kalgançı

Lore & Background

Kalgançı, meaning "apocalypse" in Turkic mythology, is also called the "Kalgançı Age." It is defined as the Kalganan (leaping) day when the world and universe will perish, followed by the resurrection of all the dead. According to this belief, earthly life is not permanent; it will end, and people, animals, and plants will perish. Toward this end, the human race will decline, crimes will increase, sins will walk away, and people's fear of Tengri will disappear.

Reader's Guide

The Kalgançı concept holds significance as a mythological end-time narrative within Turkic traditions, though it has not been widely discussed. It culminates in a great war between Ülgen, the symbol of goodness, and Erlik, the symbol of evil, where all fighters except Ülgen die. Ülgen then shouts "Get up, O dead people," initiating the kalkancı çağı (perpetual age) of resurrection. The term Sağış Günü (Day of Reckoning) is also used. This belief has been shaped by Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism; for example, the belief that the sun will rise from the west arose under Islamic influence. In some dialects, it is called Kirti Gün (Real Day) or Uluğ Kün (Great Day). The word "Ahir Zaman" is of Muslim origin and appears similarly among Turkic peoples, with roots in both Islam and ancient Turkic mythology. The Book of Dede Korkut references it, saying, "When the barn is time and the apocalypse breaks..." Other beliefs include the sun and moon uniting to burn the earth, or waters swelling when the sun rises from the west, making the world flat.

Did You Know?

• Kalgançı is derived from the root 'kal' and the verb 'kalgamak,' meaning to leap or get up.
• The term is also called Sağış Günü (Day of Reckoning), Kirti Gün (Real Day), or Uluğ Kün (Great Day).
• The belief that the sun will rise from the west arose under the influence of Islam.
• In the Book of Dede Korkut, it is said, 'When the barn is time and the apocalypse breaks...'