There are important data on the costume of early Turks of the 7th-10th centuries CE in petroglyphs found across Inner Asia from the mountains of the Mongolian and Russian Altai and Tuva to the central Tian-Shan in Kyrgyzstan and Karatau Mountains…
Readers who are aware of Kazakhstan’s nomadic cultural history will no doubt realize that the nomadic way of life profoundly shaped every aspect of their customs, traditions, beliefs and practices. In particular, Kazakh musical instruments – and the musical repertoires…
Kazakh bards, or jyrau, were folk poets and singers of the steppes since at least the 15th century. Given the widespread traditions of oral literature and specific mission and style of their lyrics, jyrau can be considered the founders of Kazakh…
Kazakhstan is an emerging global leader with a particular focus on political and economic reform. Many refer to the country as “young.” But the reality is that Kazakhstan has a rich history and tradition of philosophy and poetry that continues…
Mukhtar Auezov, widely considered the greatest Kazakh writer of the 20th century for his epic novels and theatrical adaptations, is one of very few Kazakh authors whose work has been translated into English. His masterpiece, The Path of Abai, was…
The collection of decorative and applied art, including felt and jewelry, in the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow was launched in 1927. The exhibits came from different sources: The State Museum fund, redistribution and exchange between museums, and…
Abai, Auezov, and Kazakh Oral Literature: Popular accounts of Abai’s life and work often stress his love of Pushkin and his readings of philosophers like Socrates and Spinoza. Yet Mukhtar Auezov, in his classic novel Abai Zholy, suggested Kazakh oral poetry…
The geographical position of Kazakhstan has required it to be constantly politically, economically, and socially intertwined with its large number of neighbouring nations. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the traditional nomadic Kazakh society faced oppressive Russian colonial encroachment…
