Kazakhs
The Kazakhs are a Turkic ethnic group native to Central Asia, primarily residing in Kazakhstan, with significant populations in China, Russia, Uzbekistan, and other countries. Here's an in-depth look at various aspects of the Kazakh culture, history, and identity:
History
- Origins: The Kazakhs are believed to be descendants of Turkic tribes that migrated into the region in the late 15th century. They formed the Kazakh Khanate in the 15th century, which was a confederation of several tribes.
- Russian Empire and Soviet Era: During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Kazakh steppe was gradually annexed by the Russian Empire, leading to significant changes in their traditional nomadic lifestyle. The Soviet period brought further transformation through collectivization and forced sedentarization.
- Independence: Kazakhstan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to a resurgence of Kazakh culture and identity.
Culture
- Language: The Kazakh language belongs to the Turkic language family and uses the Cyrillic script since Soviet times, although there has been a push towards using the Latin alphabet.
- Religion: The majority of Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims, although pre-Islamic beliefs like Tengrism have also influenced their culture.
- Traditions: Kazakhs have a rich tradition of oral tradition, with epic stories like the Epic of Manas, and they value hospitality, known as "konaqshylyk".
- Cuisine: Kazakh cuisine includes dishes like beshbarmak (a meat and pasta dish), kumis (fermented mare's milk), and various types of dairy products.
Society and Modern Life
- Urbanization: Many Kazakhs have shifted from a nomadic to a more urban lifestyle, especially since the Soviet era, although some still engage in semi-nomadic pastoralism.
- Education and Work: Education levels have risen significantly post-independence, with Kazakh and Russian being the primary languages of instruction.
- Politics: Since independence, Kazakhstan has been navigating its path between its Soviet past and a democratic future, with significant emphasis on national identity and Kazakh culture.
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