The Legacy of an International Partnership: Kazakhstan and the Smithsonian
Some Observations on Depictions of Early Turkic Costume
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…
Connecting to Kazakh nomadic culture through sound: the qyl-qobyz
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…
Jyrau – poets, warriors and strategic minds of the Steppes
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…
The great thinkers of Al-Farabi and Abai: a comprehension of their heritage
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…
Along the Route of Samuil Dudin’s Expedition
Auezov in America
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…
Kazakh Collection of the Museum of Oriental Art (Moscow)
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…
The Image of Abai in Kazakh Novels: The Case of Auezov
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…