THE ROLE OF THE HORSES IN NOMADS’ LIFE AND ITS ARTISTIC IMAGE IN THE KAZAKH LITERATURE

Abstract

The initiative "Seven Edges of the Great Steppe" had a good impact on the studies related to Kazakh history, ethnography, and folklore. Given that Great Steppe's civilisation is unique globally, the equestrian culture is an important part of this civilisation. In addition, the culture of taming horses is considered one of world civilisation's main achievements. Therefore, this article aims to study the role of horses in the Great Steppe from the perspective of literary and folklore heritages. Also, it might contribute to identifying the Turkic culture in world history. It will allow an approach based on independent scientific data, rejecting one-sided assessments of Kazakh history, including examples of Eurocentric stereotypes about equestrian culture. Many literary works in our literature make us feel that we are the inheritors of a culture that has greatly contributed to the treasures of the human mind. Our literary heritage should lead to a new conceptual understanding of historical processes in the region. Moreover, studying the horse's appearance in literature, poetry, and folklore is a tool for shaping the future.

On the other hand, colonial oppression stopped the evolutionary development of the Kazakh identity, which led to a spiritual crisis. As a result, the imperial regime overshadowed the nation's centuries-old ethnogenetic origin and culture. The ancient genealogy became obscure, and the Kazakh nation almost lost its statehood. The initiative, a legitimate continuation of the idea of spiritual revival, paved the way for the decolonisation of Kazakh history, literature, customs, and culture. This contemplation showed that the Kazakh steppe is a sacred place where civilisation is intertwined and nomadic culture expands. It was noted that Kazakhstan is the fatherland of the Great Steppe, the cradle of the Turkic world, and a stable place of common heritage. The purpose is to scientifically define the role and significance of the horse for the nation, which is reflected in literary heritage, from folklore to today and to examine the ways of picturing the horse's intuition in the novels to reveal the nature of human destiny and the world's falsity. This study was conducted by using comparative and descriptive analysis methods. The study's results can be used in the fields of science related to literature and culture and ethnography of the Kazakh and Turkic nations.