PRE-ISLAMIC WORLD VIEWS OF THE KAZAKH PEOPLE: FROM THE END OF THE 19TH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

This article analyses the problems of the traditional world views and beliefs of the Kazakh people. The main purpose of the article is to show the features of such cultural phenomena as ‘religious syncretism’ and ‘hybrid worldview’. The author pays attention to the cosmogonic and cosmological beliefs, the perception and feeling of place and time, religious consciousness and national identity, folk customs and traditions, cultural branding. The farming and cattle-breeding practices in the harsh climatic conditions of wide steppe spaces influenced the formation of a special type of culture and unique worldview. In the long history of the nomadic peoples who inhabited the Eurasian steppes, the history of the development of the religious worldview occupies a special place. Being in the crossroad of civilization, Central Asia has been a region of interaction between different world religious traditions, such as Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity (in their earliest forms as Nestorianism), Maniсhaiesm, and Islam. However, the Kazakh people did not break ties with nature due to their way of life, so people’s beliefs and superstitions were based on the animistic, totemistic beliefs and magic. The author concludes that the cornerstone of the entire system of worldview was the faith in the opportunity to transform the world for the good of people’s traditions and it was reflected in the special rites, traditions, and practices.