ETHNIC NAMES FOR CAMEL TYPES IN THE ARAL-SYRDARYA DELTA REGIONS

Аннотация

This article deals with the problems which related to the traditional camel breeding of the Kazakhs. The camel breeding has a huge role in the life support of the Kazakhs. Camel is considered as wealth for the Kazakhs. The Kazakhs who have a lot of camels and horses in the herd roamed over long distances. The strength of the camel was used in the processing of land, water extraction and for carting goods. Camel`s meat and milk provide food and leather, wool and bone are widely used in everyday life. The Kazakh people highly appreciated camel and called «ұлық/ulyk» (precious), and a camel shepherd «ұлық баққан /ulyk bakkan» (tending precious). Different traditions existed among the Kazakhs, folk knowledge, beliefs which related to the camel. Kazaks considered having camels in possession as sign of prosperity. Basically, camels were property of the tribes living in the middle course of the Syrdaria river, around the Aral sea, in sandy deserts of Mangistau, Kyzylkums, Karakums and Borsyk. Camel was the best of four sacred domestic animals. Many versions of the oral folk lore preserved epithets, quips, and proverbs, concerning camels.