Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Historical Sciences. Philosophy. Religious Studies

The consequences of the famine of 1921-1923 in Kazakhstan: demographic analysis

Duman Aitmagambetov, Yernar Ustagaliyev — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article is devoted to the study of historical and demographic aspects of famine in Kazakhstan in 1921-1923. The victims of the famine numbered in the thousands and caused irreparable losses. The purpose of the article is a historical and comparative analysis of the demographic consequences of famine. The comparative analysis of famine using archival documents, census materials and statistical data, as well as the application of the method of demographic analysis of the consequences of famine, the scale of damage and their impact on the lives of the indigenous population of the republic are defined as research tasks. A feature of the research methodology is the systematization of statistical data on famine in various dimensions and modules. The results of the study showed that the use of a comparative method to study the demographic consequences of famine contributes to a deeper study of this topic. The results obtained through qualitative analysis using statistical data served as an empirical basis for compiling a more complete demographic picture of famine in the 20s of the 20th century in Kazakhstan.

Digital History in Central Asia: Initiatives, Regional Specifics and Community

Dinara Gagarina — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores the development of digital history initiatives in Central Asia, focusing on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. It examines the challenges, opportunities, and trends within digital humanities in the region, emphasizing the importance of incorporating postcolonial perspectives and practical digital methods for research and cultural heritage preservation. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including literature reviews, interviews, surveys, site visits, and case studies to provide a comprehensive analysis of current digital history projects. Despite the growth of digital humanities in Central Asia, the paper identifies obstacles such as underrepresentation in international forums, limited research infrastructures, and the prevalence of Western or Russian viewpoints. Significant attention is paid to the development of the digital history community in Central Asia and the study of its needs. The article highlights the potential of digital humanities to decolonize historical narratives and enhance cultural heritage preservation through innovative means like 3D technologies. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of developing region-specific frameworks and fostering collaboration to advance digital history in Central Asia.

Letters from ALZHIR

Piero Ianniello, Aruzhan Bashenova — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article aims at offering a glimpse into the emotions of the prisoners in the camp ALZHIR (Akmolinskiy lager' zhen izmennikov Rodiny, Akmolinsk Camp of Wives of Traitors to the Motherland), Kazakhstan in Soviet times. Alzhir was a female forced labour camp in the time of the Soviet Union, a Gulag that darkened the history of the Soviet Union. This investigation will take place through a collection of letters, both from prisoners and their children, translated in English for the first time. Letters represent the only tool through which prisoners were able to communication with their families, and through which they were able to keep their maternal sense from which they had been violently deprived. The letters reflect the moods, needs, worries and the hopes of both the prisoners and the children left behind. The discussion concerning the letters reveals that the communication with the world outside of the camps (allowed only from 1940) was not enough to give back the sense of normality that the women yearned for whilst imprisoned.

Colonization of Asian Russia in the Representations of G.B. Valikhanov (on the materials of the Celebration dedicated to the 300th Anniversary of the Accession of Siberia)

Zhanar Nurkina, Yerkin Abil, Zhanna Mazhitova — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article reveals the views of the outstanding military, statesman and socio-political figure Sultan-Gaza Valikhanov on a wide range of issues of the colonization of Asian spaces by the forces of the Russian Empire. Based on the materials of the anniversary celebrations dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the annexation of Siberia to Russia, in the preparation and publication of which G. Valikhanov was directly involved, the main «platforms», channels and ways of broadcasting problematic issues of the incorporation of the eastern outskirts into Russia are identified: the politics of the population, penal colonization, resettlement, enlightenment and education, railway construction. In the course of the study, it was established that the approach chosen by G. Valikhanov to organize the structure of the anniversary edition made it possible to identify the most significant problems that determined the logic of including the eastern outskirts in the general imperial space, and also to present in the final text of the conclusion, according to which the anniversary celebrations dedicated to significant historical events, in particular the annexation of Siberia to Russia, are an effective way of consolidating public and, above all, regional forces, allowing them to show communicative agreement in the discussion of the most pressing Siberian issues by society.

Pioneer camps as a form of organizing cultural and recreational leisure for children in 1954-1964. (based on the materials of the Karaganda region)

Zauresh Saktaganova, Diana Shapagatova — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines the multifaceted functionality of pioneer camps organized on the territory of Central Kazakhstan. An important component of the Soviet state's social policy was the development of cultural and leisure activities for children. Pioneer organizations were an important tool for the implementation of this function, designed to educate children in responsibility to society, to help the school prepare pioneers for the conscious and creative fulfillment of their duties. Thus, there was a synthesis of the activities of the school and the pioneer organization, in which the former acted as the implementer of the educational component, and the pioneer organization – the educational one. As a result of such complementarity, a comprehensively developed generation of Soviet children was formed, capable in the future of fully conforming to the propagandized image of "homo soveticus" ("Soviet man"), capable in the future of becoming the foundation of socialism under construction. The focus of the pioneer organization was the task of developing a socialist attitude to study, work and social work, which meant the incorporation of values such as indifference, collectivism, an active or active attitude to life. It was the pioneer movement that became the fundamental catalyst for the formation of pioneer camps, which were a place of ideological and political education of the younger generation throughout the territory of the Soviet Union.

Specifics of electronic documentary editions of foreign archives

Aigerim Sydykova , Gulnaziya Zhakupova, Yerlan Sailaubay — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The active use of digital and network technologies by archival institutions for the effective implementation of one of the key activities of the archive, namely, the popularization and use of documentary heritage by society in the digital space determines the relevance of the problem. Information technology has assumed the role of the keeper of archives, the information carrier of archive documents and their publication. They change archival theories and ensure the transformation of the public memory and cultural heritage of the country. Documentary edition in the electronic environment of foreign archival business has different approaches and practices. The models of archived information differ in digital form. The purpose of the article is to assess the trends in the popularization of documentary heritage on the web archive of foreign countries. The research strategy will contribute to the analysis of concepts and problems in the scientific research of foreign authors, the definition of types and features of the creation of electronic editions and methods of describing metadata. The research materials include foreign regulatory and methodological documents; websites of a number of foreign archives: The National Archives of Great Britain, the Federal Archives of Germany, the National Archives and Records Administration of the USA (NARA), and the French National Archives. The research results will be both recommendations to archival institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the positive experience of popularization of documentary heritage and the creation of software products.

Clothes as a marker of otherness in traditional Kazakh culture

Zhanerke Shaygozova, Larisa Nehviadovich — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The concept of “otherness” is derived from the word “other”, non-identical. The problem of otherness in humanitarian science has attracted the attention of researchers since long ago and has been considered from a variety of perspectives. In the opinion of the authors of the article, the visual expression of otherness is the least developed issue in science, but it is clothing (costume) and the image as a whole that reflects it most vividly and distinctively. The main focus of this article is the reflection of otherness in clothing, viewed through the prism of Kazakh culture. In order to compare and clarify some data, the article draws on materials on the clothing of other Turkic ethnic groups (Kyrgyz, Altai, Uzbek, Karakalpak), as well as Iranians. As it is known, clothing in traditional culture was conceptualized as a receptacle of the soul and the “second” shell of a person. By wearing certain clothes, a person could present his “specialness”, his difference from all others, i.e. there was an expressive demonstration of his “I”, “I am the Other”. The article provides an interpretation of some elements of the costume of steppe nobility, people of creative professions, as well as shamans and other category of people with the status of “otherness”. It is assumed that the meaning of some visual markers of clothing was not only that they showed the society the substance of the Other, but also contain even more profound grounds. In our opinion, most of these attributes (markers) demonstrate the syncretism of the unity of Man and the Cosmos, or rather express the belonging of the wearer to a certain level of the universe. Having considered the visual markers of otherness given in the article on the example of Kazakh culture, we can conclude that the iconography of the other was a well thought out and balanced system, understood and accepted by the community.

Review to the monograph of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Zhanbosinova A.S. "I ask you to remove theф undeserved stigma of Article 58 from me": ego documents in the history of political terror in Kazakhstan. Semey: "Intellect", 2020, 560 c.

Svetlana Kovalskaya — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The review is devoted to the analysis of the monograph by A.S. Zhanbosinova “Please remove the undeserved stigma of Article 58 from me”: ego-documents in the history of political terror in Kazakhstan.” Interest in this kind of publications using a large number of new documents extracted from Kazakh archives is in great demand both in the scientific community and in society as a whole. The unique materials selected in the work will allow to get acquainted directly with the tragic pages of our history and form one’s own opinion on a number of complex episodes. The main advantage of this monograph is that it allows you to look at the course of history through the eyes of an ordinary person. The review contains recommendations for the author to continue this work and explore new topics.

Philosophy of Well-being: Quality of Life and Inclusion of the Elderly Population of Kazakhstan in the Era of Digitalization

Ainur Abdina, Anar Uyzbayeva — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The topic of well-being is one of the most relevant not only in the academic environment, but also in various kinds of social discourses and public discussions. The problem discussed in this article is that the majority of the elderly experience certain difficulties when using digital tools, the role of which is rapidly increasing in public life. The purpose of our research is to analyze the quality of life and inclusion of the elderly population of Kazakhstan in the era of digitalization through the prism of the philosophy of well-being. The main research method is an analytical review of academic articles and policy documents related to both the concept of well-being and the digitalization of social and economic processes, that is, the impact of technology on the quality of life of an aging population. In addition, we analyzed the existing digital applications of Kazakhstani and foreign developers designed for the elderly. As a result of the study, conclusions are drawn about the influence of the philosophy of well-being on the quality of life of older people in Kazakhstan and on their involvement in social processes.

Digital Transformation: the experience of Canada, Singapore and South Korea

Assan Аmangeldiyev — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The timely and effective implementation of state programs in the field of digitization leads to technological and economic growth. The development of digitization demonstrates a shared vision on how to utilize information technology to support the socio-economic development of society, with a particular focus on the welfare of specific groups. In the context of the active formation of the global digital environment, the volume of digital technologies providing information, services, and infrastructure is increasing. Currently, many countries do not seek to emulate or fully adopt the data policies and practices of other nations. Each country aims to be a leader in this field and to possess a unique and distinctive system in the digital space. Canada, Singapore, and South Korea have developed their own national approaches to data management in the digital world. For instance, Canada's experience includes the adoption of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, 5G technologies, and the creation of a positive ecological image for organizations. Singapore, in turn, has sought not only to regulate some areas of public life through "smart" solutions but also to integrate the potential of the state, private sector, and business to improve quality of life, institutional performance, and service delivery. South Korea has placed special emphasis on providing government services that address not only the social sector but also the daily needs, education, leisure, and other requirements of its citizens. This article examines the experiences of South Korea, Singapore, and Canada in addressing issues of digitization.

Social mediation as a tool of peace and consent at community level

Tatyana Dronzina — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article is about social mediation and its applicability in Kazakhstanian socio-cultural setting. The author writes that the relevance of this study is determined by the need for scientific understanding of social mediation as a relatively new tool for conflict management and transformation. Social mediation as a new type of socio-communicative practice can contribute to the achievement of peace and harmony within and between communities. The author defines the term, further presents a brief history of its evolution, rooted in the history of the development of human relations, as well as the effectiveness of its application and the role of mediators in the settlement of social conflicts. The methodological basis of the article is the general scientific methods of cognition and the results of the research on the example of 11 conflicts of South Kazakhstan in the period 2006-2021. The article concludes with some conclusions and discussion. In addition, the practical significance of this article will allow to form a strategy of social mediation to prevent social conflicts.

Succession and Cultural Interaction of the Worldview of the Kazakh People with Ancient Greek Mythology and Philosophy

Asset Kuranbek, Tairzhan Orazkhan, Aygulim Aitbayeva, Aiymzhan Ryskiyeva — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The main idea of the work is the concept of the formation of philosophy in Ancient India and Ancient Greece, based on the initial close connection of myth, religion, and science, which subsequently contributes to the separation of theoretical philosophy as a form of knowledge based on logic and pure reason. In the article, based on a summary of scientific studies published in recent years, it is shown that this trend is characteristic of the Turkic people, including the Kazakh people, who also did not stay away from this process. Each person, thanks to oral literature and folklore, which accumulates the basis of popular worldview, indulges in fleeting fantasies about life, and develops the ability to independently think about the existence of the world. The article also analyzes the question of the influence of the nomadic way of life on the perfection of deep thinking of the steppe people. The author comes to the conclusion that, despite the specific historical and cultural conditions, the knowledge and ideas of the ancient Greeks and the Kazakh people about the world, being, man, society, nature and life are very closely intertwined and demonstrate a deep connection. Such well-known scientists as Auezkhan Kodar, Seit Kaskabasov, Sagadi Bulekbaev in their studies of biogenetic laws and altered states of consciousness, based on typological analysis, note that this continuity and interrelationship of worldviews is not accidental, and cultural dialogue is not limited to a certain historical period. This is a continuous process that is reflected in the consciousness of each new generation, and thus goes beyond the space-time continuum. In their mythological knowledge, both peoples were among the first to try to generalize, classify and understand the systematicity, diversity and multiplicity of the universe. The result is the conclusion that both the formation of knowledge about the surrounding world and the realization of oneself and the meaning of life took place through the synthesis of conceptual thinking and artistic universals

Humanization of the penitentiary system as the promotion of nonviolent practices

Tolganay Mustafina — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The humanization of society as a voluminous, complex process is revealed through the humanization of individual institutions. In the modern civilized world, one of the important indicators of the progressiveness of society is measured through the state of its penitentiary system. According to Nelson Mandela's famous thesis, society should be judged not on the basis of how it treats representatives of high society, but by what attitude it has towards those who are at the lowest level. The institution of prison, as a fundamental element of the penitentiary system, implements the functions of correction and punishment and is one of the controversial ones, since the phenomenon of punishment itself actualizes various ethical discourses. Within the framework of the institution of prison, such concepts as «justice», «freedom», «value», etc. acquire special sensitivity. Being a kind of indicator of the moral state of society, the institution of prison highlights the state of civil society, its economic and political potential. This article examines the issues of the emergence and development of the penitentiary system with a focus on the Kazakh penitentiary system. Attention is focused on the moral principles of punishment. The research focuses on the criteria of retribution and the ultimate goals of punishment. By systematizing and distinguishing different approaches to punishment, the potential of alternative practices to prison punishment is understood.

Monuments to Kazakh Batyrs of the Second World War

Nursultan Sarsenbekov, Dana Orazbayeva — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines the history and practices of establishing monuments to participants of the Second World War (Great Patriotic War) that appeared in Kazakhstan after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Monuments are considered as a certain epistemological source for studying the various trends of the time, as evidence of public discourses popular during the period from the early 1990s to the present. Phenomenological and existential approaches are used in interpreting the question of how to understand heroism, what it means to be a hero, and how this phenomenon is correlated with ideas of heroism in Kazakh culture. The article is based on the analysis of cases related to the personalities of Bauyrzhan Momishuly, Rakhymzhan Qoshqarbaev, Aliya Moldagulova and Manshuk Mametova. The analysis includes: determining the location of the monuments; visual documentation and initial description. Content analysis of media materials and specialized literature on genealogy (shezhire), interviews with actors and experts, collecting oral histories, and analyzing documents accompanying the appearance of monuments.

The role of the dialogical potential of Islamic identity in the formation of the Kazakhstani space of tolerance and unity

Zhanara Turganbaeva, Natalia Seytakhmetova — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The theme of identity has been the most popular and relevant in socio-humanitarian knowledge for a century. Philosophical and anthropological, social, cultural studies of identity in the works of E. Erikson, M. Buber, K. Jaspers, Z. Freud, V. Frankl, F. Fukuyama, J. Ward, N. Taleb, T. Asad and others show that identity is an unfinished project and an unfinished process for each individual. The identity crisis in foreign discourse, which is presented in many ways, is associated with personal and social problems, in which depersonalization and alienation from self-identification are seen. The search for identity in religious awareness and identification in such conditions is clearly expressed. Religious identity becomes the most stable in the project of different identities, in the conditions of the «loss» of strict ideological imperatives. The main factor that explains the stability of the Islamic tradition and the preservation of traditional Islamic identity in the multicultural and multi-confessional landscape of Kazakhstan is its dialogic component. This article examines the dialogic potential of Islamic identity in Kazakhstan. In light of modern events such as globalization and migration processes, the issue of Islamic identity is becoming increasingly relevant. The authors conclude that Islamic identity interacts with other types of identity in the multicultural environment of Kazakhstan. The article also discusses the historical contribution of domestic cultural figures who contributed to the formation of the dialogic identity of Kazakhstani society.

Continuity of religious knowledge in the heritage of Kazakh intellectuals and Mashhur Zhusip Kopeiuly in the last quarter of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century

Albina Duissenbayeva, Zhandos Ishmakhanov, Almasbek Shagyrbay — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

One of the topics that does not lose relevance in the revival of religious consciousness is to continue spiritual harmony without straying from traditional values. This process has been reflected in the destiny of each culture and nation in different stages of history. The article seeks answers to the problems of today's society by studying the legacy left by Kazakh intellectuals in the period of the revival of religious consciousness about religious values and traditional worldviews. In the study of religious figures, the historical significance of their formation as a person and the functions they performed were comprehensively studied. As well as the social structure of other Turkic-Muslim nations, the works of the figures and original intellectuals of the nation, who define the religious symbol of the Kazakh people, have been distinguished. The article describes the continuity of religious values in the worldview of Kazakh intellectuals with the legacy of the famous Zhusip Kopeiuli. Religious and cognitive philosophical analysis was carried out based on the religious ideas in the works of great Kazakh intellectuals Abay, Shakarim, and Mashhur Yusip. A theological analysis of the categories of god, religion, and faith in the worldview of the enlightened ones was made. The main results and analyses of the research work are closely related to the revival of religious consciousness and the glorification of ancestral heritage. It is analyzed that the activity of Kazakh intellectuals in the society is not limited only to the provision of religious education, but the formation of national knowledge in the Kazakh steppe through education formed through this religious education. The value of research is very important in preventing religious divisions in today's society and in shaping the religious worldview of the nation's future. The practical significance of the results of the article can be the basis for the research of future specialists, religious studies, theologians, and Islamic studies

The spread and principles of the Ismatullah movement in modern Kazakhstan

Zhanna Zhurgenbayeva — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

At present, one of the most pressing problems in religious studies is the emergence of religious cults, the spread of their teachings and the attraction of people to their ranks. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ismatullah movement has been actively spreading its religious teachings in order to gather its followers. In the article, the concepts of dhikr and spirit discussed in the main works of the Ismatullah religious movement are explained by means of a hermeneutic and comparative analysis with the concepts of dhikr and spirit contained in the Holy Qur'an and the work of K.A. Yassawi. Using the theological, comparative-historical method, the author describes the principles, areas of dissemination and activities of the Ismatullah school of thought.

Social and religious dimensions of anxious consumption

Huri Melek Karaduman — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Individuals exposed to a growing number of visual, auditory, and subliminal messages daily are increasingly susceptible to adopting various behaviors, either voluntarily or unintentionally. Much of this behavior manifests in everyday life, often unconsciously or as a direct outcome of deliberate actions. Across daily life, people demonstrate diverse consumer behaviors driven by a range of both intrinsic needs and externally constructed demands—ranging from food and clothing to technology, addictive substances, cosmetics, and even self-consumption. These complex and multidimensional states of consumption can be better understood and explained by examining the underlying factors that compel individuals to consume. This study employs resource analysis methods to investigate the interplay between anxiety and consumption behavior, focusing on how perceptions of imminent danger and threat contribute to a cycle of consumption driven by worry and anxiety. Additionally, this article explores the religious dimensions of unsettling consumption practices, offering a nuanced perspective on the psychological and cultural influences that shape contemporary consumer behavior

Мain trends of christianity development in Kazakhstan

Zaure Malgaraeva, Ruzia Kamarova — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article is devoted to the analysis of the main trends in the development of Christian denominations in Kazakhstan. The article makes a small historical excursion of the formation of Christianity in Kazakhstan. The main trends in the development of Christianity are justified by such things as the expansion of the palette of Christian denominations. As a result, such churches as the Methodist Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others appeared in modern Kazakhstan. One of the main trends is the expansion of the spectrum of missionary activity and the formation of new aspects in them, such as social, educational and other projects. The main vector of missionary activity is aimed at working in the Internet space. It is especially noted that one of the answers to the challenges of the time is a more active inclusion in the activities of Christian churches of the Kazakh, Uzbek, Uyghur, and other ethnic groups, which leads to the emergence of purely ethnic communities, the introduction of ethnic elements. The article provides statistics on the number of churches and believers of individual denominations. The article concludes that Christianity has significant potential for development and spread in Kazakhstan, which is associated with the relevance of the proposed values and methods of working with parishioners, as well as the willingness to transform certain aspects of activity in accordance with the challenges of the time

The role of religious expertise in providing a legal basis for state-confessional relations in the CIS countries

Talgat Temirbayev, Aigerim Temirbayeva — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines the role of religious expertise in the regulation of state-confessional relations in the CIS countries with a focus on the experience of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia and Belarus. The analysis of legislation regulating religious activity and expert interviews allow us to identify both common features and peculiarities of approaches to religious expertise in each of these states. The main focus is on assessing the effectiveness of expertise in the context of combating extremism and radicalisation, as well as its impact on maintaining stability and public order. Key challenges faced by CIS countries in conducting religious expertise are identified, including the need to strike a balance between state control and religious freedom. The article also discusses criticisms of the expertise, including its politicisation and possible infringement of the rights of religious associations. The article concludes with a discussion of the prospects for improving religious expertise, including increased coordination between state bodies and more active participation of independent experts, which could contribute to the strengthening of inter-confessional peace in the region.

Islamic psychology: conceptual foundations and problems of methodology

Iakhin Filius — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article is devoted to the conceptual foundations and problems of the methodology of modern Islamic Psychology, which, on the one hand, is a fairly new phenomenon in Islamic thought and world psychology, and on the other hand, historically has its roots in the works of medieval Muslim scholars, and then - in the primary sources of Islam – the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The author undertakes a brief overview of the historical path of development and the current state of Muslim psychological thought, and also analyses approaches to the definition and subject of Islamic Psychology. It has been revealed that the common matter in the considered definitions is a reference to the religious nature of Islamic Psychology and the subject of research - the soul and other components of the inner world of man and the mental processes and behaviour determined by them. The author underlines the controversial nature of the Islamic Psychology methodology issues, which is typical for Islamic epistemology problematics in general. The article raises main methodological issues of Islamic Psychology and paves the ways to solve them, particularly through the implementation of the Integration of Knowledge approach and Maqasid methodology. It is substantiated that true integration in understanding the inner world of man and his behaviour is possible provided that the efforts of Islamic psychologists and Islamic theologians combine on the basis of affined religious beliefs and similar interpretations of Islamic provisions, and consideration of psychology and its individual topics through the prism of religious (Islamic) knowledge, and understanding of Quranic verses and hadiths containing “psychological” provisions through the prism of scientific, evidence-based psychology.