The Kazakhs

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The Kazakhs, a Turkic people, are the second largest Muslim people group of Central Asia. In the past, they were perhaps the most influential of the various Central Asian ethnic groups. From their earliest history the Kazakhs were nomads, following their herds across the Central Asian steppes from summer mountain pastures to winter valleys. In the 13th century Genghis Khan brought an influx of Turkic Mongol tribes that displaced the original inhabitants of the Kazakh steppe. Then, after the end of the Mongolian Empire, the Uzbek Empire arose in Kazakhstan. While most of this tribal federation moved south into the present-day Uzbekistan some tribes split away and remained behind. They were called Kazakh. So the difference between Uzbeks and Kazakhs is primarily political, not ethnic, although today their languages and cultures differ. There are now over 10 million Kazakhs in the world; 7.9 million live in Kazakhstan, making up 48.3% of the population, 1.2 million live in China, 808,000 in Uzbekistan, 636,000 in Russia, and there are smaller communities in Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey.
The basic unit of traditional Kazakh society is the extended family called the ayul (camp). This is led by an Aksakal (white beard). Several ayuls form a zhuz (tribe) and all members claim descent from a common male ancestor, seven generations back. The tribes are divided among three Hordes: The Great Horde, the Central Horde, and the Minor Horde. Kazakhs believe they are all one family; so when two Kazakhs meet, their relationship will be established from their family trees straight away. Kinship has out-workings in marriage, politics and hospitality. When guests are being entertained, places of honour and delicacies are distributed according to rank. Members of the Great Horde are held in special esteem. Kazakhs see themselves not as individuals but as part of the group. From an early age children are taught ...