Turkic Studies Journal

The history of studying the ceramic pottery of Turkic peoples

Meruert Amirova, Myrzatai Zholdasbekov — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article analyzes the literature that discusses the various types of ceramic pottery,
its origins and scope of usage, the technology of pottery making and the ritual practices associated
with utensils, which are considered the common material culture of Turkic peoples.
The article is based on the overview of the history of studying the pottery of the Turkic peoples,
found in the steppes of Eurasia during the Eneolithic, Bronze and Medieval periods, focusing on
the peculiarities of its production technology and types of utensils. In this context, comparisons
are drawn between artifacts and ceramics found in archaeological excavations of Turkic peoples
inhabiting the regions of Central Asia and Siberia. Common similarities of ceramic pottery found on
the territory of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan are also explored. The article investigates
the plasticity of pottery of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia, the peculiarities of its production
technology, as well as classifies its general similarities. The article included a historiographical analysis regarding the origin and use of utensils among Turkic peoples, drawing upon materials from archaeological excavations, ethnographic data, and special literature.

The anthropology of customary legal relations and practices in the nomadic Kazakh society (18th – 60s of the 19th centuries)

Nursan Alimbay — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article deals with the study of traditional Kazakh judicial system and legal proceedings. They functioned autonomously in their natural-historical state until the end of 1860’s,
when the entire power-administrative system of the nomadic Kazakh society, including judicial and legal institutions, was absorbed by the imperial administration. The article does not consider courts appointed by the imperial authorities, which appeared during and after this administrative colonization. These courts introduced modernized customary legal norms and institutions. The subject and purpose of the article is limited to the study of traditional legal proceedings in its two organisational forms: the basic - zhugіnіs (roughly ‘trust appeal [to biys]’) and the basic – biler kenesi (‘council of biys’). The article analyses the judicial and procedural implementation of
customary law within each of these institutions. It notes that each such judicial process reflects
the experience of many generations of Kazakh biys. This experience allows the article to present the outstanding importance of customary legal practices in the life of Kazakh society. The study of the line of behaviour and interests of participants and subjects of this process allows the article to reconstruct a mosaic socio-anthropological picture of traditional legal proceedings.

Archaeological research on the Kanka fortress city: between nomads and farmers

Sur’at Kubaev, Nadira Yusupova — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The settlement of Kanka is one of the largest urban centres on the right bank of the Syrdarya. It comprises a citadel, three shakhristans, each surrounded on three sides by defensive walls, and a suburb of rabad. The fourth side of the settlement bordered the riverbank,
along which a wall also ran. A significant object, discovered during
the excavations of Shakhristan 1 was the city temple, which was a
large monumental structure. The core of the temple complex was a
square hall surrounded by bypass corridors. The walls of the temple were decorated with paintings and relief moldings. New research in the settlement was conducted on the eastern part of the city temple, the supposed entrance part site of the temple complex. The archaeological excavations at the Kanka monument have yielded insights into the
lifestyle of an outpost city situated at the border of the territories of nomads, pastoralists, and farmers in ancient Central Asia. The findings indicate that ancient nomadic populations likely played a significant
role in the dissemination of scientific progress. Through their extensive migrations and cultural interactions, they could have served as conduits for exchanging knowledge and technological innovations among disparate regions.

Features of the ribbon-flag culture of Shamanistic-Buddhist regions of Eurasia

Chimiza Lamazhaa — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article analyzes the characteristics of the ribbon-flag culture, which emerged in the
regions where the Shamanistic cultures of the steppe and mountainous steppe of the Sayano-Altai area (the territory stretching from Lake Baikal in Southern Siberia to Western Mongolia) merged with
Buddhist-Tibetan traditions. The author proposes considering it as a part of the larger area of ribbon culture within shamanism in Eurasia.
To define the term ‘ribbon-flag culture’, the author provides several factors that characterize this culture. The author conducted direct research on the ribbon-flag culture in one of its regions, shamanistic-Buddhist Tuva, over the past two decades. The analysis of sources and our own materials
leads us to the conclusion that the overall trajectory of the development of the tradition of ribbon flag culture can be traced back to the animistic and pre-shamanistic beliefs and ritual practices of the nomadic people of the Sayano-Altai region in Inner Asia. This tradition was further strengthened by the shamanistic ritual practices that developed in the region, including among the Tibetan nomads.
Subsequently, it was enriched by cultural influences from India and China, such as Buddhism.

Abylai’s Epistolary Legacy in the context of Kazakh-Russian political communication

Yulia Lysenko — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article presents an analysis of the epistolary legacy of Abylai Khan, a prominent Kazakh public and political figure of the XVIII century, through the prism of communication practices
between the political elite of the Middle Zhuz and the authorities of the Russian Empire. It is noted
that during this period, relations between the two states evolved from the formal-legal suzerainty of
the Russian Empire over the Kazakh Zhuzes to a state-political protectorate.
This gives reason to consider the authoritative communication of the Kazakh and Russian political
elites as interaction and mutual influence of fully-fledged actors. This interaction took various formats - negotiations, exchange of diplomatic missions, etc. However, in conditions of language barrier and
territorial remoteness from each other, the most intensive interaction was carried out through the
exchange of letters between Kazakh sultans and khans and the Russian Empire officials. Abylai Khan’s
epistolary legacy allows us to assert that he corresponded with empresses, members of the Board of Foreign Affairs, the governors-general of the Orenburg Region and Siberia, and the military elite of the Western Siberia military units.

Role of medieval texts in the system of common Turkic historical sources

T. Rysbekov, S. Rysbekova, B. Shintimirova — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Source studies, as a science is fundamental to various fields within the humanities and is inherently interdisciplinary. Among the theoretical issues of source studies, historical source analysis holds the primary
position. The article utilized works by Mirza Muhammad Haidar
Dughlat and Kadyrgali Kosymuly Zhalairi as the primary source. These works contain unique information about the consolidation of Kazakh
tribes in the middle of the 15th century and their unification into a
large state entity.
The fundamental nature of source studies is determined primarily by
the distinctive features of historical science: a historian cannot directly
study the object of history - the “past of society”. It is only mastered through critical analysis of historical sources, which are the subject of historical science. According to the theory of source studies, the main goal of research is generalization and systematization of historical
information, methods of assessment and generalization are shown. Data science is closely intertwined with the practice of factual data analysis. Source studies is a critical assessment of their reliability and validity. Theory of source studies theory should ensure professionalism, quality,
and the effectiveness of research.

Сeramics of the Babish Mola settlement (based on morphological and technological analyses)

Zhanbolat Utubayev, Makpal Suyundikova, Zhanargul Kaliyeva — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Ceramics is one of the sources that provides valuable and important information about any archaeological site. The Babish Mola settlement is a monument of regional importance and is
protected by the state. The main purpose of the article is to introduce into scientific circulation the results of morphological, technical and technological analyses of ceramic materials collected during
the excavations at the Babish Mola settlement from 2018 to 2022.
The pottery found at the Babish Mola settlement was classified by purpose as household, tableware
and kitchenware. According to the manufacturing technology, they are divided into items product
made by molding from a hollow ball and by gluing. Additionally, In addition such additives as gypsum,
organic materials, and chamotte were added to the clay. The surfaces of the vessels are decorated with mineral paints and various geometric wavy lines. Various vessels recorded during the archaeological excavations of this settlement testify the development of pottery production in the area. Based on the results of the organized excavations and research, morphological and technical-technological analysis of the registered archaeological materials and ceramics, the lifespan life expectacy of the Babish Mola settlement dates back to the period of the IV-II centuries BC.

The lexeme «road» and road toponyms in Kazakh culture and language

Bekzhan Abdualiuly — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article provides a semantic analysis of lexemes-drononyms and road toponyms that reflect the territory of Kazakhstan, including its vast steppes, forests, arid deserts, mountain ranges,
rivers, and lakes. Roads require the determination of effective routes, ensuring people’s safety, and
providing them with food and accommodation. The concept of a road is closely linked to the geography,
economy, traditions, and spiritual beliefs of the Kazakh people.
The spatial and temporal meanings of drononyms are influenced by the historical nomadic lifestyle
of the Kazakhs and their seasonal migrations. The article analyzes vocabulary related to walking,
horseback riding, and nomadic movements associated with the historical lifestyle of the Kazakhs.
A significant focus of the article is the definition of road toponyms, particularly highlighting the trade,
political, and cultural importance of the Silk Road, which passed through the territory of Kazakhstan.
Based on the research of Kazakh scientist A. Margulan and other scholars, the interpretations of
numerous road toponyms of the country are systematized.
During the analysis of drononyms and toponyms, their conceptual meanings (geographical, historical and cultural, ideological) are revealed. The ambiguity of lexemes, their derivative potential,
and syntagmatic combinations are explored, which enabled the author to conduct a systematic semantic analysis.

On the historical-lexicographic value of the medieval dictionary within the context of «Khosrow ua Shirin”

Myrzabergen Malbakuly, Ainur Seitbekova — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article analyzes the «Historical-comparative dictionary of Turkic languages of the 14th century: based on materials from the «Khosrow ua Shirin” Kutba, written in 1979 by the renowned Soviet Turkologist E. Najip. To compile the dictionary, materials from other Kipchak monuments of the Golden Horde era were also utilized, such as «Nakhj al-Faradis» and «Muhabbat-name» of Khorezm.
According to the authors, access to extensive collections of Eastern manuscripts and daily meticulous
work with these manuscripts reveal the multifaceted capabilities of the scholar and contributed to
the creation of a unique historical-comparative dictionary of the Oghuz-Kipchak languages. Utilizing the comparative-historical method, E. Najip identifies common lexical-grammatical units of Turkic languages, revealing the commonality between Old Kipchak and modern Kipchak languages (such as Kazakh, Karakalpak, Nogai, and others). In this context, the dictionary provides anthroponyms,
ethnonyms, toponyms, words from other thematic groups, as well as their word forms, phrases and
derivatives.
The authors of the article believe that the historical-comparative dictionary of Turkic languages,
based on the monument «Khosrow ua Shirin” represents the historical lexicography of Turkic languages, including the Kipchak languages, notably the Kazakh language.

The history of the Turkic-Mongol States of the XIII-XIV centuries in a new book written by an American scientist

Kuanysh Akanov, Nikolay Lapin — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The monograph by the American scientist Stefan Kamola, titled “Making Mongol History: Rashid al-Din and the Jami’ al-Tawarikh” is dedicated to analyzing Fazlallah Rashid al-Din’s historical works on the Turkic-Mongol states and the Central Asian dynasty during the 13th and 14th centuries. Published in 2019, the book offers extensive material on Persian-language sources concerning Genghis Khan and his descendants, including the Hulaguids, Chaghataids, and others who significantly influenced the history of Central and Western Asia in the Middle Ages. Stefan Kamola, a PhD in Oriental Studies and a graduate of the University of Washington, has been studying Persian sources, medieval Iranian history, and the Turkic-Mongol states for a long period. He employs an interdisciplinary approach in his examination of genealogical data. It should be noted that, the work demonstrates a strong focus on source analysis and a comprehensive understanding of diverse source materials. The book effectively integrates illustrative materials such as tables, figures, diagrams, schemes, and maps. While acknowledging contributions from European and American scholars in historiography, it minimally engages with Soviet historiography. Furthermore, there is a lack of works by Kazakh scientists, whose insights could significantly enhance and enrich the content of the monograph.

Ways of classifying the magical folklore of the Turkic peoples

Shakimashrip Ibraev, Аskar Turganbayev — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The magic genres of Turkic folklore are closely linked to rituals that embody mythological,
religious, social, and domestic traditions. The state of fusion of ritual actions with practical life brings to the fore such concepts as appealing to supernatural forces, asking for help, or exorcising evil spirits.
The syncretism of magic genres manifests itself in the unity of words, melody, and ritual acts. Magic rites, performed in a certain order, conditioned many aspects of traditional and daily life. Its magic and mythic content reproduces traditional representations of society and regulates many aspects of social,
economic, and everyday life.
In the article analyzes the functional meaning and structural components of various genres including algys (alkysh,algyha), arbau (dua), badik, baksy (kam,kham,oidun), syryny (kamlanie) of Yakuts, Altai,
Kazakhs, Tatars, and Bashkirs in comparative and retrospective aspects.
In Yakut and Altai folklore, structural magic genres are closely related to myths and rituals of
invoking spirits, communicating with them, asking for help, and farewell rituals. In Kazakh, Tatar
and Bashkir folklore, however, many components of these structural subdivisions are abolished and dominated by the main key moments of the rituals, such as blessing, gratitude, praise (algys), final words (kosh,ket), and conspiracy (badik).