History+and+Culture

= **Kazakhstan: History and Culture** = ====**General | History | Culture | Language | Modern Era**====

**General Information:**



 * Official Name: Republic of Kazakhstan**
 * Native Origin: nomadic** [|Kazakhs]
 * Size: 2,727,300 km²**
 * Capital: Astana**
 * Largest City:** [|Almaty]
 * Population Density: 15 per sq. mi ( 9th largest country in the world )**
 * Government: Presidential Republic**
 * Independence: December 16th, 1991**
 * Official Languages: Kazakh, Russian**
 * Currency:** [|Tenge]
 * Religion: 46% Christian, 46% Muslim, 8% Undecided**
 * International Organization Membership:** [|United Nations]**,** [|Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council], [|Commonwealth of Independent States], [|Individual Partnership Action Plan]

Wikipedia was an excellent resource for finding basic information on Kazakhstan, an overview of its history, and the development of its culture. It conveniently listed facts along with its resources. I found it very informative, and I feel it would be helpful to someone who was just learning about the country. ([])

**History**


The history of Kazakhstan and its people can be traced back to the origins of mankind. From its beginnings as a collection of nomadic native tribesman in the Neolithic Age, ancient Kazakhstan evolved into a distinctive and complex society which faced constant opposition and interference from rival nations. This state of upheaval would continue into the 19th century when it faced the Russian Empire, a political behemoth determined to force the Kazakh people into assimilation. The Empire eventually put down all Kazakh resistance in the early 20th century. Under the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin (1935), the people of Kazakhstan would see increasing hostility, discrimination, and instances of near genocide.


 * Books :**



This is an excellent resource for discovering the historical richness of the country of Kazakhstan. The author goes into minute detail about the cultural development and historic significance the people of Kazakhstan have had on Western Europe as we know it today. His colorful journey through the region will keep readers entertained and inspire them to see this growing nation for themselves.

[|Apples are from Kazakhstan]



This resource is unique in that instead of consisting of pure text, information is provided through the use of extensive photography. This gives the reader insight to Kazakhstan's geography, people, and traditions.

[|Kazakhstan in Pictures]

This book is fantastic for getting a better understanding of the region of Central Asia as a whole. It highlights the major cities of Kazakhstan and its neighboring states, the evolution of each separate culture in the region, and present day opportunities for travel and recreation.

[|Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan]

> This is a great historical resource for finding information on the origins of the country of Kazakhstan, its neighboring states, its subsequent violent encounters with the imperialistic nations of Mongolia and Russia, and its current development as a independent republic
 * **The Russian colonization of Kazakhstan, 1896-1916 - Demko, George J. 1969. //The Russian colonization of Kazakhstan, 1896-1916//. Bloomington: Indiana University. (http://umaryland.worldcat.org/oclc/92989)**

The following resources provide supplementary information for historical research on the political and social development of Kazakhstan. The topics include the Neolithic origins of the Kazakh people, the devastation caused by the Soviet Union to the Kazakh culture and the present day issues of re-establishing the Kazakh people as a legitimate ethnicity in hostile territory.
 * Journals :**
 * The Pavlodar Chemical Weapons Plant in Kazakhstan: History and Legacy - Bozheyeva, G. 2000. "The Pavlodar Chemical Weapons Plant in Kazakhstan: History and Legacy". //NONPROLIFERATION REVIEW.// 7: 136-145. (http://umaryland.worldcat.org/oclc/198802147)
 * History Education in Transit: Where to for Kazakhstan? - Kissane, Carolyn. 2005. "History Education in Transit: Where to for Kazakhstan?" //Comparative Education.// 41 (1): 45-69. (http://umaryland.worldcat.org/oclc/478808662)
 * The earliest horse harnessing and milking - Outram AK, NA Stear, R Bendrey, S Olsen, A Kasparov, V Zaibert, N Thorpe, and RP Evershed. 2009. "The earliest horse harnessing and milking". //Science (New York, N.Y.).// 323 (5919): 1332-5.
 * ISC events from 1964 to 1976 at and near the nuclear testing ground in eastern Kazakhstan - Rodean, Howard C. 1979. //ISC events from 1964 to 1976 at and near the nuclear testing ground in eastern Kazakhstan//. Livermore, Calif: Dept. of Energy, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
 * Available in WorldCat at UMD Library (www.lib.umd.edu)

**Culture**
Kazakhstan is a nation of diverse cultural and social influence. Much of this diversity can be contributed to foreign domination and conquest, particularly from Russia in the 18th century. It was not until Kazakhstan gained its independence did the native culture of the [|Kazakhs] begin to re-emerge. Today, Kazakhstan has 131 nationalities including [|Kazakh], [|Russian], [|Ukrainian], [|Uzbek] and [|Tatar]. It has a population of 16.2 million, of whom around 63% percent are Kazakhs.

The following journal articles cover a wide range of topics that support both the past and present cultural characteristics of Kazakhstan.
 * Journals :**
 * Postcard from the Steppes: a Snapshot of Public Relations and Culture in Kazakhstan - "Postcard from the Steppes: a snapshot of public relations and culture in Kazakhstan". 2005. //Public Relations Review.// 31 (1): 31.
 * Is abortion culture fading in the former Soviet Union? Views about abortion and contraception in Kazakhstan - Agadjanian, Victor. 2003. "Is abortion culture fading in the former Soviet Union? Views about abortion and contraception in Kazakhstan". //Sage Family Studies Abstracts: Trends in Marriage, Family, and Society.// 25 (2).
 * Soviet Regime and Native Culture in Central Aisa and Kazakhstan: The Major Peoples - Dunn, Stephen P., and Ethel Dunn. 1967. "Soviet Regime and Native Culture in Central Aisa and Kazakhstan: The Major Peoples". //Current Anthropology.// 8 (3): 147-208.
 * CAPITAL GAINS - Kazakhstan's capital makes a statement with a soaring new structure that pays homage to the country's ancient nomadic culture - Wheatley, Malcolm. 2009. "CAPITAL GAINS - Kazakhstan's capital makes a statement with a soaring new structure that pays homage to the country's ancient nomadic culture". //The PM Net Work.// 23 (11): 60.

The following resources explore events from Kazakhstan's domination by the Soviet Union, its cultural rebirth after the end of the Cold War, and the ramifications these events hold for the Kazakh people.
 * Books :**
 * The Kazakhs : Children of the Steppes - Laumulin, Chokan, and M. T. Laumulin. 2009. //The Kazakhs: Children of the Steppes//. Folkestone, Kent: Global Oriental.
 * The Kazakhs - Olcott, Martha Brill. 1987. //The Kazakhs//. Studies of nationalities in the USSR. Stanford, Calif: Hoover Institution Press, Stanford University
 * Russian colonization and the genesis of Kazak national consciousness - Sabol, Steven. 2003. //Russian colonization and the genesis of Kazak national consciousness//. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
 * Modern clan politics : The Power of "blood" in Kazakhstan and Beyond - Schatz, Edward. 2004. //Modern clan politics: the power of "blood" in Kazakhstan and beyond//. Seattle, Wash: University of Washington Press.
 * The Silent Steppe : The Memoir of a Kazakh Nomad Under Stalin - Shai︠a︡khmetov, Mukhamet, and Jan Butler. 2007. //The silent steppe: the memoir of a Kazakh nomad under Stalin//. New York, N.Y.: Overlook/Rookery Press.
 * Ethnicity, nationalism and conflict in and after the Soviet Union :The Mind Aflame - Tishkov, Valeriĭ Aleksandrovich. 1997. //Ethnicity, nationalism and conflict in and after the Soviet Union: the mind aflame//. London: Sage
 * Available on WorldCat at UMD Library (www.lib.umd.edu)

The following online resources give precise details about the modern customs and traditions in Kazakhstan as it progresses towards a cultural revival.
 * Online Resources :**
 * Kazakhstan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette - [] (Accessed 11/2/10)
 * Kazakhstan - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan

** Language: Kazakh **
Kazakhstan is very proud of its heritage - as a people and culture, they have survived centuries of war, oppression, and foreign infiltration. Recently, the native language, known as Kazakhsha, has slowly been reintroduced to the general public. Due to its political and societal history, Kazakhstan has encountered enthusiasm as well as controversy over the revival of its native language and culture.

The following resources demonstrate the role of language in the political and social atmosphere between Kazakhstan and its neighboring countries. I found the concept of language as being an inflammatory issue fascinating, and the following books are immensely helpful in understanding the reasoning behind the ongoing conflict.
 * Books :**

The following resources supplement the above listed resources concerning the controversial atmosphere surrounding the Kazakh language and its survival in Post Soviet Union society.
 * Journals :**
 * National Revival in Kazakhstan: Language Shift and Identity Change - Dave, B. 1996. "National Revival in Kazakhstan: Language Shift and Identity Change". //POST SOVIET AFFAIRS.// 12 (1): 51-72.
 * .Language Policies of Kazakhstan and Their Influence on Language Attitudes and Use - Smagulova, Juldyz. 2008. The International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economic and Strategic Research, Kazakhstan/King’s College London, UK
 * Language and Education in Post Soviet Union Kazakhstan: Kazahk - Medium Instruction in Urban Schools - Fierman, William. 2006. The Russian Review 65 (January 2006): 98–116


 * Modern Era **

While Kazakhstan has seen a cultural and economic boom since the fall of the Soviet Union, the country still faces many challenges. It's people, particularly the younger generations, are still attempting to redefine themselves in the context of their relatively new independent status. However, innovative media and technology have brought attention to the once obscure country in ways that its people have never encountered before.

It was difficult to find current resources in this format. The CIA keeps a yearly updated account of the important facts about the country and its statistics as compared to the rest of the world. I found this to be helpful for a quick and easy breakdown of the general population, its current form of government, economic status, and other important information for someone who is interested in learning about Kazakhstan.
 * Books : **

The following resources highlight current issues in Kazakh society, particularly among the youth, in adapting to the changing social environment. These resources are important for someone traveling to the country for the first time, especially for educational purposes.
 * Journals :**


 * Problems of the Social Development of the Young People of Kazakhstan - Eshpanova, D.D., Aitbai, K.O., and Aidarbekov, Z.S. Russian Education and Society, vol. 51, no. 5, May 2009, pp. 63–80.
 * A Social Portrait of Young People in Today’s Kazakhstan - Eshpanova, D.D, Nysanbaev, A.N. // Russian Education and Society //, vol. 48, no. 2, February 2006, pp. 75–96.
 * Myth, Rhetoric, and Ideology in Eastern European Education - Mincu, Monica E. 2009. "Myth, Rhetoric, and Ideology in Eastern European Education". //European Education.// 41 (1): 55-78.

The following resources were included because they give evidence of the growing interest in Kazakhstan and its potential as a recreational and economic power in the modern era.
 * Online Resources ( Blogs, Fan pages, Wikis, Travel Ads, Media etc) :**


 * [|Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan] (Accessed 11/3/10)
 * [] ( Accessed 10/31/10)
 * [] (Accessed 10/31/10)
 * [] (Accessed 11/1/10)
 * [] (Accessed 11/3/10)