Historical thought in the writings of Kazakh zhyrau

Abstract

The article reveals the features and significance of the writings of Zhyrau, who served the people as ideologists of the Kazakh Khanate, advisers and comrades-in-arms of the khans, militant leaders of indi- vidual tribes. The nature of the creation of the zhyrau of the XIX century is determined. An assessment is made of the contribution of zhyrau to the development of historical thought6 which, in their writings, expressed the idea of actual and important problems of their time. The reflection of historical thought in the works of Kazakh poets-zhyrau, including in the works of the poet Dulat, is considered. The content of the work of Dulat Babatayuly «Kairan Kazas, қаitejin» is disclosed. The main reasons for the acceptance of citizenship of the Russian Empire in Dulat’s work are shown. The author analyzes the conceptual conclusions of the poet, who actually managed to show the state of the country which has turned into a subordinate empire and the actions of local rulers. His opinions are shown in comparison with the views of Chokan Valikhanov, Ibrai Altynsarin, Ahmet Baitursynov. A difficult situation is described among the Kazakh people, who entered the colonial system of Russia through the lines of Dulat’s poems. His thoughts about the consequences of spiritual colonization of tsarist Russia are given.