From folklore to books: The evolution of Kazakh literature
In 2024, Kazakhstan celebrates a significant date - the 800th anniversary of the formation of the Ulus of Jochi. This event is not only significant from a historical point of view, but also serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage, including the literature that has developed over the centuries. In honor of this important anniversary, Kazinform News Agency offers a look at how Kazakh literature was formed and evolved.
Early forms of literature
Kazakh literature has a rich cultural heritage, the origins of which go back to ancient times. It has come a long way from oral traditions to classical works. The evolution of Kazakh literature is inextricably linked with the history of the Turkic peoples inhabiting the territory of modern Kazakhstan. Among the sources of ancient Turkic literature are the Orkhon-Yenisei inscriptions, the works of Yusuf Balasaguni and Mahmud Kashgari.
During the Golden Horde era, written literature began to actively develop. Talented poets created their works at the courts of rulers, glorifying not only heroic deeds, but also reflecting philosophical and religious issues.
Among the significant monuments of that era, one can highlight the "Codex Cumanicus" and the poems "Mukhabbat-name" by Khorezmi and "Gulistan bit-turki" by Saif Sarai. These works became not only examples of artistic art, but also important historical sources.
Kazakh Khanate
The period of the Kazakh Khanate gave a new impetus to the oral tradition. The heroic and romantic epics acquired new forms, historical songs and legends emerged, as well as such genres as "tolgau" and "aitys".
The tolgau genre, which is a poetic form of wise reflections, was performed by zhyrau - poets. In their song and poetry works, zhyrau philosophically interpreted the life of the people, explained various events, praised or criticized the deeds of khans and sultans. They expressed their opinions on current events, gave advice and recommendations to khans on how to overcome difficult moments in life. Famous representatives of zhyrau poetry of the 16th-17th centuries were Dospambet, Margaska, Zhiembet, Akhtamberdy, Shalkiiz and Bukhar-zhyrau.
Aitys — poetry competitions between akyns (poets-improvisers) — also became an important part of Kazakh cultural life, touching on current social topics. In the 16th century, the works of the legendary Asan-Kaigy, akyns Dospambet, Shalkiiz, and in the 18th century — the akyn Bukhara-zhyrau Kalkamanuly, the author of sharp political poems, were well known.
Most of the works of Kazakh akyns and zhyrau were transmitted orally. Only in the 19th-20th centuries their works began to be recorded and published by Kazakh and Russian researchers.
Lyric poems were also widespread, telling how lovers fight for their happiness, facing obstacles in the form of social inequality, as, for example, in the works “Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu” and “Kyz-Zhibek”.
Kozy Korpesh - Bayan Sulu
"Kozy Korpesh - Bayan Sulu" is one of the most famous and beloved Kazakh folk poems, which tells the story of the tragic love of two young people. It is considered a kind of Kazakh version of the world theme of eternal love, like Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". The poem exists in several versions, passed from mouth to mouth, preserving the ancient traditions of Kazakh folklore.
The story tells of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu, who were promised to each other since childhood, even before their birth, when their fathers made an agreement that their children would marry. However, fate interferes with their plans. Kozy, having become an adult, sets out to find his beloved Bayan. However, obstacles arise on their way, and the main one is Kozy's rival, the cruel batyr Kodar, who also wants to marry Bayan.
Despite Kozy and Bayan's mutual love, they are not destined to be together. In the finale of tragic story Kozy dies at the hands of his rival. Bayan, in order to take revenge on the murderer, resorts to cunning. She promises to marry Kodar if he digs a well with spring water for her. Kodar gets to work, digging deeper, holding on to Bayan's hair. The girl unexpectedly cuts off her braids: Kodar falls into the abyss and dies. Kozy Korpesh is avenged. On his grave, the heroine of the legend stabs herself with a dagger.
Today, lovers in Kazakhstan celebrate a holiday on April 15 as an alternative to February 14 – Valentine’s Day.
Written works in Kazakh language
At the beginning of the 16th century, the first written works in the Kazakh language appeared. The main genres of literature of that period were religious and historical works. The first written work that has reached us is considered to be the "Collection of Chronicles" or "Jami at-tavarikh" by Kadyrgali Zhalairi. It sets out the chronicle of the Kazakh rulers before Sultan Uraz-Muhammad (before 1610). The collection is written in the Arabic alphabet.
Modern Kazakh written literature began to take shape in the second half of the 19th century. Next up, we will talk about the further development of Kazakh literature, its influence on national identity and cultural processes, as well as about key writers and works.
