Turkic Studies Journal

The medieval settlement of Nogerbek: Results of archaeological and paleo-economic research

Zhanbolat Utubayev — 2025-09-23

The article examines the results of archaeological and paleo-economic studies of the medieval city of Nogerbek, which is located in the Ulytau region. The first archaeological research at the site was conducted by Academician A.Kh. Margulan and S. Zholdasbayev. Archaeological excavations were resumed by G. Akhatov, a researcher at the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, in subsequent years, during 2015-2017. This study presents the findings of the field excavations conducted at the site in 2018 (excavation director: Zh.R. Utubaev), as well as the subsequent laboratory analyses. A morphological analysis of the ceramic material revealed that the vessels were used for both household and kitchen purposes. The majority of the ceramics (83%) were made using the traditional hand-building technique of coiling and fired in open flames. Only 17% of the vessels were carefully made on a potter’s wheel and fired in special kilns. Based on their function, the vessels were classified based on their function as follows: kumsha (3%), köze (21%), large storage jars (14%), small kitchen jars (52%), and handled cups (3%). The most dominant items were the storage köze and small kitchen jars. Comparable ceramics have been frequently unearthed at medieval settlements in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya. The vessels from the city of Zhankent were found to be the most similar in terms of shape and decorative motifs. The morphological and technological characteristics of the ceramic assemblage suggest local production, providing insights into daily life and the economic structure of medieval urban culture. The archaeozoological analysis revealed the taxonomic composition of the osteological material, the anatomical structure of the domestic animals, their age profiles, their meat consumption patterns and any traces of modifications or pathologies on the bones. A total of 503 mammalian bones were studied, 404 (80.3%) identified to species. The assemblage is dominated by domestic animals (98.5%), with a small share of wild fauna (1.5%), including saiga (Saiga tatarica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Among domestic species, small ruminants account for the largest share (35.9%), followed by horses (33.2%) and cattle (28.4%), with smaller quantities of camel and dog remains. Slaughter profiles show small ruminants at 1,5-2,5 years, cattle after 2,5 years, and horses mostly over 10 years.

Representing Kazakhstan’s historical and cultural heritage in historical retrospective: A case study of an exhibition project

Akmaral Ibrayeva — 2025-09-23

The article explores cultural artifacts from the National Museum of Kazakhstan that reflect the history and cultural code of the Turkic peoples, with a focus on medieval Kazakhstan. Presented in an immersive exhibition, these artifacts illustrate how advanced digital technologies have become a leading method in museum practice, showcasing national achievements in a global context. In the digital era, museums play a strategic role in enhancing national identity and recognition, acting as active agents of cultural exchange. The aim of the article is to convey the historical and civilizational origins of the Turkic peoples’ statehood, as well as the continuity and uniqueness of their cultural code, through their material culture. It also seeks to present to the European public the centuries-old history and rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, with a focus on historical facts relating to Kazakh statehood and its distinctive culture.
The scientific concept of the exhibition is based on a thematic and chronological approach, covering the most significant stages of Kazakhstan’s history – from the Bronze Age, the Scythians and Huns, and the Turkic Khaganates to the Golden Horde and the Kazakh Khanate. Each stage is represented by emblematic items from the National Museum’s collection, including: the Saka “Golden Man” headdress from the Issyk kurgan; the anthropomorphic figure of the Tobol Thinker (3rd-2nd centuries BCE); male and female stone statues of the 8th–13th centuries characteristic of the Eurasian Steppe; lamps from the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi dating to the Timurid
era; and the chapan of Kazybek bi (Kazakh judge) – a traditional outer garment typical of Turkic peoples well into the modern period. These archaeological finds, monumental artifacts, ethnographic materials, archival documents, and photo-video resources collectively convey the customs, traditions, mentality, and cultural code of the steppe civilization. The selection highlights both their historical value and the potential of immersive formats to promote international collaboration. For comparison, the authors reference immersive exhibitions at the Louvre, the Guimet Museum, and the Hermitage, which showcase the effectiveness of digital and multimedia technologies. The National Museum’s immersive project serves as a notable example of cultural cooperation between France and Kazakhstan.

Settlements and wells along the caravan-nomadic routes of the Aral-Caspian region: from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century

Tattigul Kartaeva — 2025-09-23

The pastoral route from Konyrat to Karakobda covers the Aral-Caspian region, which includes the southern and northwestern parts of the Aral Sea, the southern and northern Ustyurt Plateau, and Karakobda River area south of Aktobe. The Aral-Caspian lowlands include part of the vast Kazakh territories historically known as the “Turan Plain”. From a geopolitical perspective, the historical trade routes that connected the main historical and cultural regions of Central Asia, the Altai-Sayan region, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe facilitated interaction between Europe and Asia. The history of routes through the deserts and arid ecosystems of the Aral-Caspian region has not been well studied. The routes in the Aral-Caspian region that connected Central Asia with the West were used during historical periods until the 1920s-1930s. Until the early 20th century, some medieval the first stop for caravans travelling from Khiva and Urgench. Depending on their direction and function, communication routes were classified as caravan or nomadic paths. In the study of toponyms related to seasonal pastures, such as Aksai, Ashyairyq, Tushyairyg, Kainar and Tasastau, along the Konyrat-Karakobda route through the Ustyurt, the location and preservation status of wells were documented. A section of the Konyrat-Karakobda route was part of the medieval caravan network through Mangystau and northwestern Ustyurt, intersecting with the branch linking Central Asia to Kyzyl-Kala and Ketik-Kala. Some medieval caravan routes were also used for herding livestock. The junctions where these routes branched out formed networks that were used not only for trade, but also for seasonal pastures. The southern section, from Konyrat to Karakobda, was known as the Kaskajol route. The etymology of wells names are important for documenting the history and culture of Kazakhstan. The Kazakh people have preserved traditional well-digging knowledge that is still practised today. Terms reflecting regional dialects, construction methods, personal names, landscape features and historical events play a key role in Kazakh ethnolinguistics. As well as serving as water sources, wells also acted as checkpoints along trade routes, while long-distance pastoral routes developed from the Kazakhs’ enduring coexistence with nature.

The formation of native land imagery in traditional Kazakh society: On the example of historical toponyms of Western Kazakhstan

Gulnara Khabizhanova — 2025-09-23

The article is devoted to the study of elements of the toponymic system of Western Kazakhstan in the context of the processes of territorial identification and the construction of images of the native land in traditional Kazakh society. The toponyms Zhaiyk and Mangistau played a key role in the history and culture of the Kazakh clans that were part of the Junior Zhuz. The region of Western Kazakhstan was not only a traditional place of nomadic settlement but also an important center of economic activity and cultural interaction. The article examines the ethnic and historical-cultural aspects of the etymology of these toponyms, their connection with tribal migrations, and their role in the processes of forming the ethnic identity of the Kazakhs. Data from written sources, folklore, and historiographic analysis of scholarly literature reveal the marking role of toponymy in the western region of Kazakhstan – as indicators of ethnic boundaries, as a center of ethnic processes that took place here, and as evidence of interactions between individual groups of nomads from ancient times to the Middle Ages. In the article, the authors employ interdisciplinary methods, including toponymic analysis, historical-comparative, ideographic, and historical-typological approaches. The theoretical framework for the study of toponyms is based on the concepts of “toponymic space,” the historical and cultural landscape, and territorial identity. The results of the research indicate that since ancient times, the modern territory of Western Kazakhstan has been a region of settlement for nomadic tribes, who developed it economically over thousands of years and filled the space with sacred meanings and mental categories. In this way, a “toponymic picture of the world” was created – closely linked not only to economic development but also to the parallel processes of the formation of ethnic consciousness among the Sarmatian-Massaget, Oghuz, and Kipchak ethnic communities. The “toponymic space” conceptualized by nomads can be understood as a description of their world, embodied in place names that have become ethnic symbols in the development of the territorial identity of an entire people.

Ritual folklore in the research of Shakir Ibraev

Zhanat Aimukhambet — 2025-09-23

The work of the renowned folklorist Sh. Ibraev is a comprehensive scholarly work addressing key issues in the study of Kazakh Ritual Folklore. Each chapter proffers solutions to complex theoretical and practical problems. The preface provides a systematic definition of folklore, approaching it from a new perspective and highlighting its cognitive, ritual, artistic, and educational functions. The first chapter is dedicated to the complex nature of folklore, exploring its connections to ethnography, anthropology, and literary studies, and emphasizing the importance of integrating anthropology into folklore research.The second chapter provides a theoretical interpretation of syncretism and synthesis in folklore. Ibraev discusses the interplay between folklore and the performance traditions of akyns and zhyraus as well as ritual elements such as incantations, blessings, and shamanic chants. He identifies plot, motif, and artistic techniques as markers of genre syncretism.Subsequent chapters analyze oral creativity, artistic methods, the history of Kazakh folklore studies, multivariance, improvisation, ancient folklore, and myth. The author examines the deep roots of mythological consciousness in the worldview of the Kazakh people and its integration into folklore.In the chapter on labor folklore, Ibraev studies examples related to animal husbandry and agriculture and draws conclusions about their meaning and origin in ritual practices.The central section, “Ritual Folklore,” includes four chapters on magical genres, family rituals, wedding songs, and funeral rites. Each chapter is divided into subsections detailing genre subtypes. The author demonstrates that magical and family rituals stem from ancient beliefs. Wedding rituals such as betrothal (kudalyk), the bride’s departure (kyz uzatu), and her reception into the groom’s home (kelin tusiru) – are shown to give rise to specific verbal and performative works. Ibraev introduces the concept of “Funeral Ritual Folklore” as an original scholarly category, drawing on global theories while emphasizing Kazakh distinctiveness. His systematization of theoretical problems and innovative conclusions hold major value for both Kazakh and world folklore studies.The monograph Kazakh Ritual Folklore (Kazakting guriptik folklory) presents fundamental theoretical foundations of Kazakh and international folklore studies.

Topicalization strategies in the language of Kazakhs in China

Aynur Abish — 2025-09-23

This paper focuses on the unstudied phenomenon of topicalization – or the theme-rheme structure (with “rheme” is understood as “comment”) – in Turkic languages. Topicalization, used in many languages including Turkic, is examined here in the sentence structure of Kazakh as spoken by Kazakhs in China. It is a linguistic phenomenon that highlights specific sentence components to structure information and guide the listener’s or reader’s attention. The research identifies topicalization markers in Kazakh as including grammatical markers (changes in word order, special particles), prosodic markers (intonation, pauses), and syntactic markers (left dislocation, post-predicate topic). The author demonstrates the significance of topicalization markers in the structure of Turkic sentences by analyzing them in both historical Old Turkic languages (Orkhon runic and Old Uyghur) and in modern Turkic languages (Turkish and Uyghur). It is noted that, in the context of living in a foreign-language environment, the Kazakh language in China has been influenced by Chinese, Uyghur, and other languages. Particular attention is therefore devoted to a comparative analysis of topicalization markers in the Kazakh spoken in China with those in Uyghur, Chinese, and Standard Kazakh. The article thoroughly analyzes the morphosyntactic means of expressing topics, the role of prosodic markers in determining topic boundaries, and the manifestation of topicalization through grammatical markers such as ‘γoy’, ‘wözị’,‘bolsa’, and ‘degen’. It also examines themecomment structures and describes the pragmatic functions of topic markers in discourse The findings show minor differences between the Kazakh spoken in China and in Kazakhstan, mainly in syntax and prosody. In Kazakh, topic markers are conveyed through intonation and pauses – a typological feature shared by Turkic languages in general and Kazakh in particular. Post-predicate topicalisation is not systematic. Although multiple topics can be marked in a single sentence, this is not a strict grammatical rule. The study revealed that, as a result of prolonged language contact between Kazakh in China and other languages, some contact influences have developed, but its basic grammatical system remains close to standard Kazakh. This study sheds light on the peculiarities of Kazakh in China and contributes to the study of the information structure of Turkic languages.

Comparative and typological features of consonant system in Turkic languages

Zeynep Bazarbayeva — 2025-09-23

The article examines the consonant system of Turkic languages, which undergoes modifications in accordance with the articulatory features of the language. Identification of such changes as adjacent phoneme interaction, sound harmony, phoneme transformation, sound merging, their combinatorial variation depending on a speech rate, vowel assimilation between two consonants, sound voicing, etc., is the primary task of phonology. A comparative study of similar phonological patterns in related Turkic languages is currently a pressing task. The comparative-historical method of studying Turkic languages, which traces its origin back to Mahmud Kashgari’s work “Diwan Lughat-at-Turk”, has contributed significantly to determining the phonological structure of dialects within this language family. The comparative-historical study of languages is a research method based on the comparison of various historical and diachronic phenomena or processes to identify similarities, differences, and patterns observed over a certain period. This method allows for deeper understanding of the characteristics of individual languages included in a given language group, general trends in the development of related languages, and the acoustic-articulatory nature of consonants in general. The primary purpose of the article is to identify the phonetic and structural features of the consonant systems of related Turkic languages (Kazakh, Bashkir, Uyghur, Karakalpak, Khakass, Shor, Chuvash, among others) through a comparative and typological lens. To achieve this goal, the study focuses on analyzing consonantal structure of these languages, the emergence of new phonemes, and the patterns by which they are integrated into phonological system of the language in the language sound system. The article applies a descriptive approach, drawing on existing research materials and data related to Turkic languages. It examines the distribution and behavior of consonant sounds in various word positions (anlaut, inlaut, and auslaut), highlighting both commonalities and differences. The analysis examines phoneme composition, sound harmony, articulatory features, and consonant transformations from both phonetic and phonological perspectives. Identifying shared and language-specific traits highlights the study’s significance. Consonant variability shapes language norms, affects acquisition and competence, and informs the development of language processing technologies. The investigation of consonantal variation based on linguistic data has important implications for both theoretical and applied linguistics.

Syngarmonism as the basis of Turkic syngarmonic orthoepy, orthography, word formation and inflection

Mahanbet Dzhusupov — 2025-09-23

The article examines the problem of syngarmonism and word formation based on an analysis of Khalel Dosmukhameduly’s work ‘The Law of Syngarmonism in the Kaisak[1]Kirghiz Language’, which was published in Tashkent in 1924. Kh. Dosmukhameduly’s work is a rigorous, high-quality scholarly study of significant value to general and comparative linguistics, Turkology, linguodidactics, and language teaching. In linguistic history, syngarmonism has been described by various terms, including class harmony, distant assimilation, and vowel assimilation. In Turkology, and especially in Turkic linguistics, Dosmukhameduly was the first to apply the term "syngarmonism," describe it in detail, and introduce it into scholarly use based on Kazakh language material. While prominent linguists of the late 19th and early 20th century linguists (I.A. Baudouin de Courtenay and N.S. Trubetskoy, V. Radlov, Е. Polivanov, А. Baitursinuly etc.) referred to the prosodic phenomenon of syngarmonism as vowel harmony, Kh. Dosmukhameduly, in 1924, interpreted it as the harmony of all sounds within a word(both vowels and consonants), and characterized and substantiated his scholarly position in a multi-aspect manner.Kh. Dosmukhameduly demonstrated using extensive linguistic evidence that word formation and inflection in the Turkic languages depend on syngarmonism: all affixation – derivational and inflectional – follows this principle. He concluded that syngarmonizm, the harmony of all sounds in a word (vowels and consonants), underlies both word formation and grammatical inflection. A syngaromoaffix consists of a class (set) of its syngarmovariants, which are attached to the root of a word taking into account its syngarmotype and the features of the final sound of the root (for example, the class (set) of syngarmovariants of the Kazakh plural affix: -lar-, -ler-, -dar-, -der-, -tar-, -ter-). Thus, affix attachment to a word’s root is strictly syngarmonic, defining syngarmonism as a universal phenomenon (law) encompassing the entireword, regardless of syllable count. In other word, all affixal means of forming a new words or another grammatical forms are necessarily syngarmonic. Such methods as comparative analysis, linguo-theoretical description, and syngarmophonological analysis were used, in the course of the research, contributing to the identification of the work's theoretical and practical significance.

Phonetic and orthographic features of the Armeno-Turkish translation of the Gospels

Hüseyin Yıldız — 2025-09-23

In the 19th century, Armenians living within the borders of the Ottoman Empire who spoke Turkish produced numerous works on religion, language, history, literature, and other subjects using their own alphabet.One notable aspect of missionary activity aimed at spreading Christianity among the Turks was the translation of the Bible into Turkish. The work examined in this study is a translation of the Bible into late Ottoman Turkish, narrating the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ –from his birth to his final days. The full title of the work is Yeni Ahit - İncil-i Şerif Arakâlların Amelleri, Boğosun ve Sayip Arakâlların Mektüpleri. It was originally translated from Greek into Turkish, and published in Istanbul in 1858. The text includes selected sections and epistles from the New Testament, one of the foundational scriptures of Christianity. The publication and dissemination of such works in the Ottoman Empire were intended to increase the accessibility of religious texts to local communities in various languages and scripts. During this period, Ottoman Turkish was frequently used for translating religious texts. These texts were often written not only in Arabic script, but also in Latin, Greek, and Armenian scripts. The use of Ottoman Turkish in this particular work is significant, as it reflects the linguistic characteristics of the era. From a cultural and linguistic perspective, Armenians established close relations with both Kipchaks and Anatolian Turks throughout history. As a result of these interactions, distinct written traditions emerged, such as “Kipchak written in Armenian script” and “Turkish written in Armenian script”, accompanied by a rich corpus of literary works. In recent years, scholarly interest in these two linguistic traditions has grown significantly in Turkey.This study analyzes the phonological and orthographic features of a Bible translation written in late Ottoman Turkish using the Armenian script. By presenting detailed phonetic and orthographic observations, this research aims to contribute to broader research on the phonological characteristics of the Turkish language during the late Ottoman period.

On the word bolmačï in Turkic Languages

Ragıp Muhammed — 2025-09-23

This article analyzes the word bolmačï, which is rarely attested in Early Middle Turkic texts and has been overlooked by scholars until now. This word has multiple meanings, which are sometimes contradictory, including 'impossible, futile, vain, unnecessary, insignificant' and 'to be, to exist'. The study aims to trace the word's semantic range in historical and modern Turkic languages, identify its dominant meaning and analyze its morphemic structure.The analysis is organized into three parts. The first part compiles all occurrences of bolmačï from historical texts of the Karakhanid, Khwarezmian, and Kipchak periods, analyzing the meanings of the lexeme, which are predominantly context-dependent. Furthermore, the interpretations of these meanings proposed by various scholars are reviewed, and the author offers alternative interpretations in cases where the existing explanations do not correspond to the sentence context. The second part investigates the meanings of bolmačï in modern Turkic languages. To determine the dominant meaning and lexical[1]semantic variants of the word, explanatory dictionaries of various Turkic languages are consulted. The study finds that the lexeme remains widely used in various forms in Kazakh (bolmačï), Karachay-Balkar (bolmačï), and Urum (bolmačï). In modern Turkic languages, the lexical meaning of the word varies: 'small', 'few', 'insignificant', 'meaningless', 'empty', 'futile', 'worthless', 'insufficient', 'unnecessary', 'negative', and 'false', among others. The lexical-semantic variants also shift depending on the context. The third part of the study analyzes the morphemic structure of bolmačï, consisting of the root stem bol- (‘to be’) + -ma (a formative negation affix) + -čï (a derivational affix). Particular attention is paid to the semantic transformation of the suffix -čï, whose origin and grammatical function remain the subject of scholarly debate. Summarizing various academic viewpoints, the author argues that -čï was forms. Throughout the historical development of the Turkic languages, this affix underwent lexicalisation, acquiring a derivational function in the process.In the conclusion, the author notes observes that bolmačï currently functions as an independent adjective and should be included in Turkic dictionaries as a nominative lexical entry.

The history of the origin and popularization of the song “Balkadisha”: An ethnoarchaeological study

Sayalbek Gizzatov — 2025-09-23

This article presents an ethnoarchaeological study of the origin and popularization of the song “Balkadisha” by renowned composer Akan Seri Koramsauly (1843–1913). Despite the song’s widespread popularity, only journalists and composers have previously written about its origins, and no comprehensive academic research has been conducted on the subject. The article first establishes the relevance of the topic and reviews the extent of prior research. A textual analysis of song collections published since the early 20th century identifies changes in the lyrics over time. The impact of Soviet ideology, particularly its emphasis on class struggle, on interpretations of Akan Seri’s work is examined. Special attention is given to the inaccurate claim that Balkadisha Ybyraykyzy was married to an eighty-five-year-old man, which was unjustifiably inserted into later versions of the lyrics. The study introduces previously unknown historical facts about Balkadisha Ybyraykyzy, using archival materials from the State Archive of the Zerendi district in the Akmola region. These documents confirm her birth year and offer new insights into her family background. Archival records also establish the birth year of Baimyrza Musayev, whose meeting with Balkadisha led to the creation of the song, thus allowing for a more precise dating of its composition. Field expeditions were conducted in the Akmola region, including interviews with people who had known Balkadisha Ybyraykyzy and her descendants. These interviews enriched the history of the song’s origin and dissemination. A photograph of Balkadisha preserved in the family archive of her granddaughter Aymkoz Talasova is also included. During the ethnoarchaeological study, the burial place of Balkadisha Ybyraykyzy was identified in the village of Kenotkel in the Zerendi district, and an archaeological analysis was conducted. Scientific findings confirmed that this area has been continuously inhabited since the Stone Age, with evidence of established settlements still present during the lifetime of Balkadisha Ybyraykyzy. A regional map was developed to show the locations associated with Akan Seri and Balkadisha, including GPS coordinates. The article concludes with recommendations to include these culturally significant sites in the Akmola Region’s tourist routes.