Many people believe that Turks are slant-eyed because of their Central Asian origin. However, the vast majority of Turks living in Turkey today do not have slant eyes. So why is this?
Migration and Mixing:
Throughout history, Turks have migrated across a vast geographical area and interacted with various peoples. These migrations and interactions have led to changes in the physical characteristics of Turks. The Turkic tribes that migrated to Anatolia mixed with the people living in the region through marriage and trade, eventually becoming the ancestors of today’s Turks. As a result of this mixing, the proportion of individuals carrying the slant-eye gene decreased.
Genetic Differences:
Not all Turkic tribes that migrated from Central Asia were slant-eyed. While some tribes like the Oghuz Turks had more pronounced slant eyes, other tribes like the Kipchaks and Khazars had rounder eyes. Since the Turks who migrated to Anatolia were predominantly from Oghuz tribes, the overall slant-eye ratio is generally low.
Environmental Factors:
Eye shape is not solely determined by genes. Environmental factors can also influence eye structure. For instance, people living in cold and windy climates tend to have narrower eyelids to protect their eyes from snow and sand. This can, over time, make their eyes appear more slanted. Anatolia’s climate is milder than that of Central Asia, and this may have also affected the eye shape of Turks.
Selective Adaptation:
Some scientists argue that slant eyes are beneficial for survival in cold climates. Slant eyelids protect the eyes from snow and wind, which is a significant advantage for people living in cold regions. Therefore, it is possible that the slant-eye gene became more prevalent among Turks living in colder climates over time.
Conclusion:
There is no single reason why Turks are not slant-eyed. Migration, mixing, genetic differences, environmental factors, and selective adaptation have all played a role in this situation. While the vast majority of Turks living in Turkey today do not have slant eyes, this does not alter their origin or identity.
The history and culture of Turks are incredibly rich, and this richness extends far beyond their physical appearance. The identity of Turks is shaped by their language, traditions, customs, and beliefs. Whether or not they have slant eyes has no bearing on their identity or value.
