The Legendary name of Alshyn

Abstract

The article analyzes the legend, which has become widespread in historical literature, about the name of the tribal association Alshyn in the Junior Zhuz. In this case, the author compares the historical name Alshyn with the dynasty of Ashin, and intends to show that Alshyn is a very ancient name dating from the 8th century. It states that Alshyn, according to legend, was called Kalsh (Alshyn) Kadir. The author shows the ancient origin of this man, citing as an example the image of a bird on the headdress of Kültigin in the 8th century, and relying on the legend of how Kadyra, rescued from the army by Kalsh (Alshyn), is rescued by a white goose (Oaz aқ). The author comparing the fate of Ashin and Kalsh (Alshyn) Kadyr finds similarities in the plot lines of these legends. Based on the legend, the author not only notes the ancient origin of the name Alshyn, but also emphasizes its importance for the unification of the Kazakh tribes, at a time when the ethnonym Kazakh was being formed. At the same time, based on genealogical sources that ended during the Kazakh Khanate period, the author also does not ignore the unification of the tribes of Bayula, Alim, and Zhetyra into one tribal union. Earlier in the historical literature this issue was not of interest to researchers, but this problem is of great importance for research.