Abstract:
The purpose of the study is to examine the role of religious traditions in shaping Turkic culture
and their importance for contemporary Kazakhstani society. The analysis traces the evolution
of religious practices among Turkic peoples from the period of the Ancient Turkic Khaganate
to the present day, with a focus on the influence of Islam, Sufi movements, and the preservation
of pre-Islamic beliefs. Philosophical works by Ahmad Yasawi and Yusuf Balasaguni, religious
motifs in the epics Koblandy-batyr, Kyz-Zhibek, and Alpamysh, and Kazakhstan’s sacred
architecture, including the mausoleums of Ahmad Yasawi, Arystan-Bab, Beket-Ata, and
Mashkhur Zhusup Kopeev, are examined. The analysis of contemporary religious processes
is based on statistical and sociological data, including reports from the Institute of Philosophy,
Political Science and Religious Studies, the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, and the Centre for Social and Political Studies. The findings indicate that religious
traditions continue to play a crucial role in the cultural identity of Kazakh society, despite
increasing individualisation of religious practices and secularisation, particularly among
younger generations. Empirical research based on expert interviews confirms the enduring
influence of Sufism in Kazakhstan, while religious beliefs among the population display
variation across age and regional demographics. Pilgrimage to religious sites remains an
important aspect of Kazakh spiritual life, and religious norms continue to shape social
institutions. These findings highlight the need for further research into the impact of globalisation and digital technologies on the transformation of religious traditions in
Kazakhstan and their prospects for development within evolving social and cultural contexts.
