Women in Nomadic Society: Information from Primary Sources about Qipchaq Women

Abstract

The nomadic society of the Qipchaqs differed significantly from sedentary societies. While numerous studies examine the settlement of the Qipchaqs in Georgia, little attention has been given to Qipchaq women in Georgian historiography. Existing research predominantly focuses on military and political matters, leaving the social hierarchy and daily life of Qipchaq women largely unexplored. Georgian historical sources provide limited information about the Qipchaqs residing in the region, and references to women are particularly scarce. Consequently, foreign historical sources, archaeological findings, and stone sculptures of the Qipchaqs become crucial for understanding the social roles and status of women in their society. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the Qipchaqs frequently moved from place to place. Both men and women were skilled horse riders, as the horse was central to their way of life. Among the upper class, horses were buried with the deceased, regardless of gender, and stone sculptures were erected on graves of both men and women, indicating comparable recognition in death. Although Qipchaq women possessed many of the same skills as men, certain duties were gender-specific. Women primarily managed household affairs, while men were responsible for tasks such as weapon making, horse care, and camp security. Warfare was undertaken by men; historical sources do not mention female warriors. Despite these distinctions, no clear male or female dominance existed, and responsibilities were distributed according to practical needs. In Georgia, the lifestyle of Qipchaqs appears to have been similar, and the rights and duties of women mirrored those in other regions. Funeral practices honored both men and women equally. Although no stone statues of Qipchaqs have been found in Georgia, burial inventories suggest that women received equal respect. Given the allocation of living spaces, seasonal pastures, and herds of cattle, Qipchaq women likely played key roles in household management and animal husbandry. This research PHDF – 22-4327 has been supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG).