Ethnonym and the term «Kazakh»

Abstract

In the article the authors consider the origin of the term and the problem of the ethnonym «kazakh». In the first part of the article is given an analysis of words similar to the word «kazakh» and in the second part the authors offer their conclusions. The similar terms for the word «kazakh» in arabic-persian works written in 8-13 centuries was analized. The authors came to the conclusion that the words from the writ- ten sources «Kazakhahia», «kasak», «hasak-tergen», «khasak» have nothing in common except phonetic similarity. In the second part, the authors speak of the fact that there is no specific etymology of the term Kazakh recognized by society. Initially, it was used in social significance, eventually acquired ethnic significance. This is evidenced by historiographic and source materials.