Tukh Manuk

Tukh Manuk (or Tux Manuk, (Armenian Թուխ Մանուկ), "Dark-skinned Youth") refers to archaic rural shrines in Armenia. Their origin is regarded to be pre-Christian or pagan,[1] but are now a part of a folk tradition existing within the Armenian Church.[2][3] Many are situated in church ruins or in crudely-built enclosures, others are well constructed stone chapels. Some of them are thought to date back to the 5th century, or even the BCE era.[4]

Tukh Manuk, Alapars, Lyrics by Avetik Isahakyan
Tukh Manuk chapel of Arinj
Tukh Manuk Shrine at Oshakan located in a cemetery atop the hill

Quite popular throughout Armenia, such shrines are often on hilltops, at the sources of springs, or just outside villages. Some researchers have linked them to a proto-Indo-European deity cognate with Krishna or Shiva, a mischievous beautiful young man inhabiting the boundary between settlement and wilderness. Visiting Tukh Manuk shrines is traditionally popular with women. They are also visited by the Yazidis.[5][6] Pilgrims gather to make offerings or sacrifices for the curing of illnesses and burn candles.[7]

Tukh Manuk is the main character in numerous medieval and modern folk poems, and is mentioned in the Armenian national epic Daredevils of Sassoun. Its stories are based on oral traditions of the 8th to the 10th century and the acts by a Christian King David in the city Sasun fighting heroically against the Arab invaders.

See also

References
  1. " Tukh Manuk' hushartsanneri masin." (About the "Swarthy Youth" Monuments), Russian summary, Armenian Folklore Bibliography, ANNE M. AVAKIAN, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, 1994, p137
  2. Հայաստանի առեղծվածները - Թուխ մանուկի առեղծվածը, (Mysteries Of Armenia), Public TV of Armenia, Oct 21, 2015
  3. Tukh-Manuk Chapel Consecration in Shahumian Village, Armenian Church, Jul 24, 2012
  4. ARAGATSOTN – THE LAND OF CONTRASTS p.30
  5. Tukh_Manuk, Armeniapedia
  6. [Rediscovering Armenia: an archaeological/touristic gazetteer and map set for the historical monuments of Armenia, Brady Kiesling, Raffi Kojian, Tigran Mets, 2001 p.19]
  7. EAST OF TURKEY, NORTH OF IRAN
  • Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio
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