The Altai Creation Myth
The Altai creation myth is the foundational cosmology of the Altai Turks. In the beginning, there was only water — a primordial ocean covering everything. The supreme god Kayra Han (also Bai-Ulgen) sent a loon (or in some versions, a golden bird called galbingaa) to dive to the bottom of the ocean to bring up mud. From this mud, Kayra Han created the earth. He then planted the sacred tree Ulukayın (Bay-Terek), which grew with nine branches representing the nine heavens. From the roots of this tree, nine human ancestors emerged, forming the nine races of humanity. Kayra Han created the god Ulge