Tengrism as a virtual religious movement and its relationship with hybrid identity

This master's thesis investigates the discourse of Tengrism as reconstructed in digital media, focusing on its intersection with New Right ideology and its role in hybrid identity formation. The research is based on content published between 2020 and 2024 on YouTube, Instagram, and Reddit, analyzed through a qualitative discourse analysis framework. Fairclough's critical discourse analysis and van Leeuwen's legitimation model provide the theoretical foundation of the study. A total of 15 digital artifacts (5 YouTube videos, 4 Instagram posts, and 5 Reddit threads) were examined through thematic coding, discursive structure analysis, ideological framing, and digital religion indicators. The findings reveal that Tengrism in digital platforms functions not only as a nostalgic spiritual tradition but also as a hybrid ideological discourse aligned with New Right narratives. Furthermore, these digital discourses reflect a hybrid identity zone where traditional and modern, secular and sacred values intersect. This study aims to contribute to the fields of digital religion, New Right ideology, and identity politics within digital ethnographic contexts.