The origin of the ethnonym “pechenegs”: information of sources and opinions of researchers

Abstract

The article devoted to the problem of the origin of the ethnonym "Pecheneg" on the basis of Russian Chronicles, Byzantine and Arab sources. There are opinions of historians on the localization of the Pechenegs, and, consequently, the appearance of the name of this people. In Russian Chronicles Pechenegs are known under the same name, in Byzantine sources they are called "Pachinakites' and "Kangars", according to the Arab authors in the name of the people you can meet two of the term — "Banjak" and "Pechenegs".

The opinions of historians on the origin of the ethnonym "Pecheneg" are differ. Some researchers identify the terms "Pecheneg" and "Kangar", explaining the appearance of these names according to the name of the river of the same name in the valley of the middle Syr Darya. Other authors in terms of "Pecheneg" and "Kangar" see the connection of Pechenegs and other Turkic tribes. Still others argue that these two terms are identical and hint at the special status of the Pechenegs as a privileged part of the nomadic Association of Oguzs. The fourth also consider these terms related and on this basis draw a conclusion about the Indian origin of the name "Kang", received its name from the sacred river Ganges.