Kyrgyz
THE SHORT HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Kyrgyz people (also spelled Kyrghyz and Kirghiz) are a Turkic ethnic group. Basically lives in the Kyrgyz Republic. The population is 4.5 million people. The language is Kyrgyz and 2.9 million people speak Kyrgyz language. Nowadays Kyrgyz language is intertwined with the Kazakh language. 90% of the population know the Kazakh language. The Kyrgyz land have been inhabited by human beings from the Ancient Stone Age (300 thousand years ago). First of all the equipment’s were distributed from the copper then from the bronze in the 3 millennium BC. In the 6-7 millennium BC tools were made from iron and agriculture had developed to advanced level. The tribal unions, the states of the slavery were created. Saka tribes (7-3 centuries BC) then Uisin tribes (5-3 centuries BC) lived in the north part. The south of regions were governed by Kushan kingdoms (1-4 centuries BC). In the 6th-7th centuries it became the center of Western Turkic Khaganate. The economy developed, the water mills and canals were built, the new crops (cotton) planted. Among the nomadic tribes Orkhon, Sogdia writings were spread. In Shu, Talas, Ystykkol regions were built the cities. Relations with other regions of Central Asia were strengthened. On the territory of Zhetysu and Kyrgyzstan there was established Karachan state and the productive forces were upgraded in the 10th-12th centuries. The region of Talas became the center for silver production and needlework, so the trade developed. From the beginning of the 13th century it was governed by Genghis Khan Empire, including the Chagatai people. The territory of the country was part of the state of Moghulistan in the 14th-15th centuries. The local Kyrgyz tribes started coming together into one center in the second half of the 15th century. First of all Kyrgyz tribes joined Mongolia, then Dzungarian and Kazakh khanates in the 16th-17th centuries. Especially the Dzhungars attack led to the strong massacre. They were dependent to the Kokand Khanate from the end of the 18th century. In the struggle against of Kokand war, in order to get assistance from Russia, Kyrgyz people were negotiating with the Western Siberian governments in 1814 and 1824 years. In 1863 the Northern part of the country and in the 1876 the Southern parts joined to Russia and governed by Turkestan general-governor (1867-1917). Kazakh-russians and russian peasants moved to Russia. Commodity-money relations developed and cotton cleaning, oil separation, leather processing, brewery productions were established. Mining and coal mining enterprises were established. Credit institutions and joint-stock companies were born. Additionally the colonial oppression also strengthened. During the World War the tax increased immediately and the lives of the people were aggravated. According to the Tsarist decree for the obtaining of physical labor, the Kyrgyz people rebelled in 1996. But these uprisings were downed by forces. After the February Revolution there were a lot of governments in the country in 1917. The Kyrgyz intellectuals associated with Kazakh intelligentsia and tried to achieve an autonomy. The Soviets won at the end of 1917 and early 1918, so they entered the Turkestan ASSR in April of 1918. Part of the local population that was dissatisfied with the government created armed forces against the Soviet power and allied with the white guards. But these uprisings were overthrown by the Red Army. Land and water reforms were made.
As a result of the establishment of the National-state character of Central Asian Republics in 1924-1925, Kara-Kirgiz JS was incorporated into the RKSFR on 14th of October in 1924, which was renamed Kyrgyz JS on 25th of May in 1926. It was transformed into the Kyrgyz ASSR on 1st of February. The national economy rapidly developed and 140 industrial enterprises were built in 1925-1940 years. New industries areas emerged, such as: metal processing, oil, nonferrous metallurgy, textile, food. The feudal elite were confescated and the peasants joined the collective farmers. Accrording to the new Constitution of the USSR which was adopted on 5th of December in 1936, the Kyrgyz ASSR became the Kyrgyz SSR.
The republic was divided into regions (Osh, Tien-Shan (Naryn), Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad, Frunze) on 21st of November in 1939. Kyrgyz people were also actively involved in the Word War II. 70 warriors became Heroes of the Soviet Union. It became an industrial and agrarian republic in the post-war years. The October session of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR changed the name of the country to the Kyrgyz Republic in 1990. The Supreme Soviet declared the country's sovereignty on 15th of December in 1990. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on 31st of August in 1991. At the session of the Supreme Council the name of Kyrgyzstan Republic was changed to Kyrgyz Republic on 5th of May in 1993. The Republic is a member-state of the UNO since 1992.
LANGUAGE AND WRITING
Kyrgyz language belongs to Kyrgyz-Kipchak language group. Altaic language is the nearest to the Kyrgyz language, it is an intermediate language between Altai language and Kazakh language. In Kyrgyz language there are many words which were borrowed from Mongolian language and a few Arabic-Persian words. In phonetics the spirant in the word “ZH” strengthens and sounds as the affricate “DZH”, and “SH” sound strengthens then would sound as “CH”, “S” sound will exchange with “SH”. The suffix of the Accusative ends with “N” sound: “BALANYN, ADAMNYN”. Gerenally “N” which the nasal sound is used rarely. In the Kyrgyz language there are the diphthong voices as “АА, ОО, УУ, ҮҮ, ЭЭ, ӨӨ”, the diphthong voices play a great role: “ТОО (ТАУ), ТОҚУМ (ТОҚЫМ), ӨЗӨН (ӨЗЕН)”. In addition to 33 letters in Russian there are those 3 letters: “Ң, Ү, Ө”. Nowadays in Kyrgyz language among14 vowel phonemes, 8 of them are short vowels and 6 are long vowels. In terms of morphological structure Kyrgyz language is agglutinative language and divides into North and South dialects. The literature language is formed on the basis of Northern dialect and in the Southern dialects Kazakh, Uzbek languages are noticeable. The Kyrgyz alphabet used Arabic script before the 1928, then used Latin alphabet, finally was established in 1940 according to Cyrillic alphabet. Generally Kyrgyz people were educated in religious madrassas until the second half of the 9th century. The first Russian-corrected schools were opened in 1980. The Kyrgyz inscription was transferred to Russian graphics in 1940. Many educational institutions, research institutions and centers of culture were opened. The Kyrgyz SSR was founded in 1954.
LITERATURE AND CULTURE
“Manas” epos is the masterpiece of Kyrgyz literature famous worldwide. The poets like Kalygul, Arystanbek, Moldash, and etc were popular among the people by the middle of the 19th century. The classic of Kyrgyz folk poetry was Toktogul Satylganov (1864-1933). The first newspaper "Erkin Too" was published in 1924. During the Soviet era, A. Tokombaev, M.Elebaev, A.Osmanov, T.Sadykbekov and other poets and writers developed the Kyrgyz literature to a new level. The works of Sh. Aitmatov were popular all over the world starting from the second half of the 20th century. Kyrgyz literature and Kazakh literature have been similar for a long ime. Many works of Kazakh poets and writers are published in Kyrgyz language and the works of Kyrgyz poets and writers in Kazakh language as well.
Kyrgyz music was at the folklore level until the 20th century. National musical instruments are kumyz, syrnai, trumpet, etc. During the 1930-1940 years professional musical compositions (opera, ballet, symphony, etc.) were brought to life. The first Kyrgyz opera is “Aichurek” was presented in 1939. The National Drama Theater was established in 1930. Opera and Ballet Theater were separated in 1936. The Union of Composers was created in 1939. A cinema studio was opened in Frunze (Bishkek) in 1942, then renamed to “Kyrgyzfilm” in 1961. The studio achieved some success in 1970-1980. Many Kazakh artists were invited to take part in those films.
KYRGYZ PEOPLE IN KAZAKHSTAN
According to its number, it is one of the smallest nations in Kazakhstan. As of January 1st, 2014,29803 Kyrgyz people live in Kazakhstan.
According to the population census held in 2009, there are 23274 Kyrgyz people or 0.15% of population in the country. Also their number has increased 2 times over the last 10 years and the population was 10,925 people in 1999. Thus the Kyrgyz Republic demonstrates its big growth rather than other nationalities, which is 113%.
During many months most immigrants receive a residence permit and then they get a citizenship. Because, for Kyrgyz people the way of obtaining citizenship became easier. Most of the Kyrgyz people live in the South of Kazakhstan. For example 7400 people live in Zhambyl region. Growth rate indicator of Kyrgyz diaspora according to the population census in Kazakhstan:
1970 - 9612
1979 - 9352
1989 - 13726
1999 - 10897
2009 - 23274
The Kyrgyz language is the independent Kyrgyz state language which gained its independence on 31st of August in 1991, and the exogenous language of Kazakhstan Kyrgyz diaspora.
THE RESULTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE FROM ALL REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN
As the results of socio-linguistic research demonstrate the in the questionnaire Kyrgyz people answered that the reason for coming to Kazakhstan are: “looking for a job", "was sent to Kazakhstan after graduation", ”got married”.
Representatives of the Kyrgyz diaspora get married "with representatives of any nationalities", also they want to get married "with representatives of the Turkic peoples".
As the questionnaire conducted within the framework of an international project demonstrates, not everybody knows the reasons for their immigration to Kazakhstan, that is they can not say distinctly when their ancestors immigrated to Kazakhstan. Many of them consider themselves as the indigenous people of Kazakhstan. To the question “Was your family deported to Kazakhstan?” 140 Kyrgyz people responded in the following way: 72 (51.4%) - no, 1 (0.7%) - yes, 67 (47.9%) - did not answer.
All interviewed respondents pointed to the need for national cognition, that is the respect for national traditions, religion and national cuisine. According to them it is not obligatory for the ethnos to live in one territory. Investigation was conducted by means of interviews, questionnaires and their analysis:
Ethnicity: Kyrgyz respondents with 140 questionnaires.
Ethnic cognition: The majority of the Kyrgyz ethnos (140 people) have represented themselves as Kyrgyz by their passports, 134 of whom (85.7%) are Kyrgyz people; 14 (0.7%) - Kazakh and Uighur; 4 (2.9%) - no data available.
Kyrgyz people often marry Kyrgyz people, but also encounter other nationalities. According to questionnnaire results following can be shown:
Father's nationality: 138 people (94.7%) - Kyrgyz; 3 () - Russian (0.7%) - Crimean Tatars and Uighur. According to the analysis the Kyrgyz side's interference with the other ethnicities is very low, except for the Kyrgyz but only 2 ethnic groups.
But according to mother’s nationality, there were 5 nationalities: 120 people (32.6%) - Kyrgyz; 14 (10.2%) - Kazakh; 3 (2.1%) - Russian; one person for (0.5%) - Uzbek, Uighur and Tatar.
Thus a major role in the mixed Kyrgyz families is played by fathers, so all the information is provided by them. In ethnicity regardless of nationality the father (Kyrgyz) is given the priority and the child’s nationality is determined by the nationality of his / her father. From this we can conclude that in the formation of consciousness, culture and language of the Kyrgyz people, in particular the influence of father is much more than that of mother’s.
Nevertheless in the mixed families Kyrgyz ethnic men and ethnic women can marry and marry representatives of other nationalities. But in most cases, the Kyrgyz men want to marry Kyrgyz women, and their girls want to marry Kyrgyz men, thus they maintain ethnic culture, traditions and mentality.
One thing is noticed among the second generation couples, that is when one of the married is not Kyrgyz: 67 (47.3%) children were recognized as Kyrgyzes; number of children recognized as Kazakhs is 7 (3.7%) and 61 (43.6%) of them have no information.
All interviewed respondents say that it is necessary to know their native language, but with disappearing of the older generation native language usage decreases. The older generation is fluent in their native language, middle-aged speak well and unfortunately younger generation uses Kazakh, Russian and Kyrgyz languages. The analysis of questionnaire showed the followinig data:
The analysis of the language of conversation with school-age children in the
family showed:
54 (38.6%) - only in Kyrgyz language;
12 (8.6%) - only in Russian language;
20 (14.3%) – in Russian-Kyrgyz languages;
4 (2.9%) – in Kazakh-Kyrgyz languages;
7 (5%) – in Kazakh-Russian-Kyrgyz languages;
5 (3,6%) - in Kazakh and Russian languages;
16 (11.4%) - only in Kazakh language and 22 (15.7%) - no data
Analysis of the language spoken during the conversations with adukts in the family:
64 (45.7%) - only in Kyrgyz;
10 (7.1%) - only in Russian;
18 (12.9%) - Russian-Kyrgyz;
17 (12.1%) - in Kazakh language;
6 (4.3%) - in Kazakh-Kyrgyz language;
6 (4,3%) - Kazakh-Russian-Kyrgyz;
5 (3,6%) - in Kazakh and Russian languages, 14 (10%) - have no data
Analysis of language during the conversations with representatives of other nationalities:
31 (22.1%) - only in Russian;
53 (37.9%) - in Kazakh and Russian languages;
5 (3,6%) - Russian-Kyrgyz;
8 (5.7%) - Kazakh-Russian-Kyrgyz;
20 (14.3%) - only in Kazakh, 4 (2.9%) in Kyrgyz; 19 (13.6%) - have no data
According to the “linguistic factor”, it was identified that the language for speaking with other nationalities for Kyrgyz people is Russian language. Kyrgyz people speak very well or they know the state language or can speak and also understand Kazakh language. Respondents noted that there is no discrimination in the language factor.
As noting the above issues, the questionnaire showed the next:
69 people (43.9%) – can speak fluently Kyrgyz, Kazakh, and Russian languages.
Most of them use language in public transportation, doctor's prescription, notary offices:
35 persons (25%) – Russian language;
65 people (46.4%) - Kazakh and Russian languages;
20 people (14.3%) - use the Kazakh language.
54 people (38.6%) - can read fluently in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
55 people (45%) - can write fluently in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
63 people (19.3%) - can understand fluently in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
40 people (28.6%) – can read languages newspapers, magazines and announcements in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
43 people (30.7%) – listen to lectures, talks, TV shows and radio in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
For 39 people (27.9%) - are comfortable with listenening concerts, watching spectacles in Uzbek, Kazakh and Russian languages,;
84 people (15%) answered that they didn’t have to explain the films in Kazakh and Russian in their mother tongue, and 11 (7.9%) answered yes.
Even though they don’t speak their mother tongue fluently, all of respondents consider themselves as full-filled member of their ethnicity. According to personal information the representatives of the Kyrgyz ethnos identify their connection with ethnic and religious groups (102 respondents, 72.9% who adhere to Islam). Kyrgyz ancestors also adhered the Christianity and Buddhism along with the traditional religion.
Nowadays the Kyrgyz profession has changed dramatically and according to the results of the questionnaire the Kyrgyz entrepreneurs have the following professions:
3 people (2.1%) – are teachers;
44 people (31.4%) – are workers;
17 people (18.1%) – are employees of the service staff;
6 people (4.3%) – are civil servants;
4 people (2.9%) - are unemployed and 30 (17.6%) are engaged in other types of business (restaurants, trade, etc.).
The Kyrgyz people showed the main issues in the interethnic sphere such as:
- Representatives of the Caucasian people. Different understanding of religions - 2 people (11,1%);
- with Russian people - 1 person (3.3%);
- with Uzbeks, politics and borders - 3 people (16.6%);
- Had difficulty with answering - 2 people (11.1%).
- No - 10 people (55.5%).
Thus the majority of Kyrgyz people in Kazakhstan think that there is no systematic tension between Kazakhs and other ethnic groups who live in Kazakhstan.
On the basis of the Kyrgyz National Centers in Kazakhstan the Kyrgyz Association of “Manas” was established in Astana on 24th of August, 2007. Concerning this the Kyrgyz people in Kazakhstan received the right to elect representatives of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
To the question “Do you have any suggestions on teaching in your school, cultural and enlightenment work, producing books and music in your native language” some of the respondents (16 people) gave following answers:
- I wish further prosperity - 1 person (6.2%);
- I wish books would be published in native language - 2 persons (12,5%);
- I wish the world prosperity - 1 person (6.2%);
- I wish that the friendship between the Turkic-speaking people would strengthen and interact with each other - 1 person (6.2%);
- books, newspapers and magazines are published in Kyrgyz language - 2 people (12.5%);
- I'm happy to live in Kazakhstan - 1 person (6.2%);
- I would be happy if the Kyrgyz ethnocultural centers were opened - 1 person (6.2%);
- The questionnaire was very interesting - 5 people (31.2%);
- Nothing written- 3 people (18.7%).
As examples of the oral literature the respondents emphasized the poem “Manas”, the eposes “Kurmanbek”, “Er Tostik”, “Janyl”, the legend about Bishkek, "Cholpon", "Shynybek" and etc.
According to the wedding tradition the Kyrgyz diaspora arrange “Uilenu toi”, “Kyz uzatu”, “Kizdy torkeletuu” traditions; after the birth of baby “beshik-tuy”, “tysau kesu” and others. Respondents showed that the national traditions of Kyrgyz people are similar to Kazakhs, such as hospitality, respect for the elderly and they know the names of the national games.
From the results of the research it can be seen that Kyrgyz people are steadily developing with increasing their life experience and adapting it to a new socio-historical situation. The majority of Kyrgyz people in Kazakhstan think that Kazakhstan is a homeland and will not to abandon it.
The Kyrgyz people (also spelled Kyrghyz and Kirghiz) are a Turkic ethnic group. Basically lives in the Kyrgyz Republic. The population is 4.5 million people. The language is Kyrgyz and 2.9 million people speak Kyrgyz language. Nowadays Kyrgyz language is intertwined with the Kazakh language. 90% of the population know the Kazakh language. The Kyrgyz land have been inhabited by human beings from the Ancient Stone Age (300 thousand years ago). First of all the equipment’s were distributed from the copper then from the bronze in the 3 millennium BC. In the 6-7 millennium BC tools were made from iron and agriculture had developed to advanced level. The tribal unions, the states of the slavery were created. Saka tribes (7-3 centuries BC) then Uisin tribes (5-3 centuries BC) lived in the north part. The south of regions were governed by Kushan kingdoms (1-4 centuries BC). In the 6th-7th centuries it became the center of Western Turkic Khaganate. The economy developed, the water mills and canals were built, the new crops (cotton) planted. Among the nomadic tribes Orkhon, Sogdia writings were spread. In Shu, Talas, Ystykkol regions were built the cities. Relations with other regions of Central Asia were strengthened. On the territory of Zhetysu and Kyrgyzstan there was established Karachan state and the productive forces were upgraded in the 10th-12th centuries. The region of Talas became the center for silver production and needlework, so the trade developed. From the beginning of the 13th century it was governed by Genghis Khan Empire, including the Chagatai people. The territory of the country was part of the state of Moghulistan in the 14th-15th centuries. The local Kyrgyz tribes started coming together into one center in the second half of the 15th century. First of all Kyrgyz tribes joined Mongolia, then Dzungarian and Kazakh khanates in the 16th-17th centuries. Especially the Dzhungars attack led to the strong massacre. They were dependent to the Kokand Khanate from the end of the 18th century. In the struggle against of Kokand war, in order to get assistance from Russia, Kyrgyz people were negotiating with the Western Siberian governments in 1814 and 1824 years. In 1863 the Northern part of the country and in the 1876 the Southern parts joined to Russia and governed by Turkestan general-governor (1867-1917). Kazakh-russians and russian peasants moved to Russia. Commodity-money relations developed and cotton cleaning, oil separation, leather processing, brewery productions were established. Mining and coal mining enterprises were established. Credit institutions and joint-stock companies were born. Additionally the colonial oppression also strengthened. During the World War the tax increased immediately and the lives of the people were aggravated. According to the Tsarist decree for the obtaining of physical labor, the Kyrgyz people rebelled in 1996. But these uprisings were downed by forces. After the February Revolution there were a lot of governments in the country in 1917. The Kyrgyz intellectuals associated with Kazakh intelligentsia and tried to achieve an autonomy. The Soviets won at the end of 1917 and early 1918, so they entered the Turkestan ASSR in April of 1918. Part of the local population that was dissatisfied with the government created armed forces against the Soviet power and allied with the white guards. But these uprisings were overthrown by the Red Army. Land and water reforms were made.
As a result of the establishment of the National-state character of Central Asian Republics in 1924-1925, Kara-Kirgiz JS was incorporated into the RKSFR on 14th of October in 1924, which was renamed Kyrgyz JS on 25th of May in 1926. It was transformed into the Kyrgyz ASSR on 1st of February. The national economy rapidly developed and 140 industrial enterprises were built in 1925-1940 years. New industries areas emerged, such as: metal processing, oil, nonferrous metallurgy, textile, food. The feudal elite were confescated and the peasants joined the collective farmers. Accrording to the new Constitution of the USSR which was adopted on 5th of December in 1936, the Kyrgyz ASSR became the Kyrgyz SSR.
The republic was divided into regions (Osh, Tien-Shan (Naryn), Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad, Frunze) on 21st of November in 1939. Kyrgyz people were also actively involved in the Word War II. 70 warriors became Heroes of the Soviet Union. It became an industrial and agrarian republic in the post-war years. The October session of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR changed the name of the country to the Kyrgyz Republic in 1990. The Supreme Soviet declared the country's sovereignty on 15th of December in 1990. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on 31st of August in 1991. At the session of the Supreme Council the name of Kyrgyzstan Republic was changed to Kyrgyz Republic on 5th of May in 1993. The Republic is a member-state of the UNO since 1992.
LANGUAGE AND WRITING
Kyrgyz language belongs to Kyrgyz-Kipchak language group. Altaic language is the nearest to the Kyrgyz language, it is an intermediate language between Altai language and Kazakh language. In Kyrgyz language there are many words which were borrowed from Mongolian language and a few Arabic-Persian words. In phonetics the spirant in the word “ZH” strengthens and sounds as the affricate “DZH”, and “SH” sound strengthens then would sound as “CH”, “S” sound will exchange with “SH”. The suffix of the Accusative ends with “N” sound: “BALANYN, ADAMNYN”. Gerenally “N” which the nasal sound is used rarely. In the Kyrgyz language there are the diphthong voices as “АА, ОО, УУ, ҮҮ, ЭЭ, ӨӨ”, the diphthong voices play a great role: “ТОО (ТАУ), ТОҚУМ (ТОҚЫМ), ӨЗӨН (ӨЗЕН)”. In addition to 33 letters in Russian there are those 3 letters: “Ң, Ү, Ө”. Nowadays in Kyrgyz language among14 vowel phonemes, 8 of them are short vowels and 6 are long vowels. In terms of morphological structure Kyrgyz language is agglutinative language and divides into North and South dialects. The literature language is formed on the basis of Northern dialect and in the Southern dialects Kazakh, Uzbek languages are noticeable. The Kyrgyz alphabet used Arabic script before the 1928, then used Latin alphabet, finally was established in 1940 according to Cyrillic alphabet. Generally Kyrgyz people were educated in religious madrassas until the second half of the 9th century. The first Russian-corrected schools were opened in 1980. The Kyrgyz inscription was transferred to Russian graphics in 1940. Many educational institutions, research institutions and centers of culture were opened. The Kyrgyz SSR was founded in 1954.
LITERATURE AND CULTURE
“Manas” epos is the masterpiece of Kyrgyz literature famous worldwide. The poets like Kalygul, Arystanbek, Moldash, and etc were popular among the people by the middle of the 19th century. The classic of Kyrgyz folk poetry was Toktogul Satylganov (1864-1933). The first newspaper "Erkin Too" was published in 1924. During the Soviet era, A. Tokombaev, M.Elebaev, A.Osmanov, T.Sadykbekov and other poets and writers developed the Kyrgyz literature to a new level. The works of Sh. Aitmatov were popular all over the world starting from the second half of the 20th century. Kyrgyz literature and Kazakh literature have been similar for a long ime. Many works of Kazakh poets and writers are published in Kyrgyz language and the works of Kyrgyz poets and writers in Kazakh language as well.
Kyrgyz music was at the folklore level until the 20th century. National musical instruments are kumyz, syrnai, trumpet, etc. During the 1930-1940 years professional musical compositions (opera, ballet, symphony, etc.) were brought to life. The first Kyrgyz opera is “Aichurek” was presented in 1939. The National Drama Theater was established in 1930. Opera and Ballet Theater were separated in 1936. The Union of Composers was created in 1939. A cinema studio was opened in Frunze (Bishkek) in 1942, then renamed to “Kyrgyzfilm” in 1961. The studio achieved some success in 1970-1980. Many Kazakh artists were invited to take part in those films.
KYRGYZ PEOPLE IN KAZAKHSTAN
According to its number, it is one of the smallest nations in Kazakhstan. As of January 1st, 2014,29803 Kyrgyz people live in Kazakhstan.
According to the population census held in 2009, there are 23274 Kyrgyz people or 0.15% of population in the country. Also their number has increased 2 times over the last 10 years and the population was 10,925 people in 1999. Thus the Kyrgyz Republic demonstrates its big growth rather than other nationalities, which is 113%.
During many months most immigrants receive a residence permit and then they get a citizenship. Because, for Kyrgyz people the way of obtaining citizenship became easier. Most of the Kyrgyz people live in the South of Kazakhstan. For example 7400 people live in Zhambyl region. Growth rate indicator of Kyrgyz diaspora according to the population census in Kazakhstan:
1970 - 9612
1979 - 9352
1989 - 13726
1999 - 10897
2009 - 23274
The Kyrgyz language is the independent Kyrgyz state language which gained its independence on 31st of August in 1991, and the exogenous language of Kazakhstan Kyrgyz diaspora.
THE RESULTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE FROM ALL REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN
As the results of socio-linguistic research demonstrate the in the questionnaire Kyrgyz people answered that the reason for coming to Kazakhstan are: “looking for a job", "was sent to Kazakhstan after graduation", ”got married”.
Representatives of the Kyrgyz diaspora get married "with representatives of any nationalities", also they want to get married "with representatives of the Turkic peoples".
As the questionnaire conducted within the framework of an international project demonstrates, not everybody knows the reasons for their immigration to Kazakhstan, that is they can not say distinctly when their ancestors immigrated to Kazakhstan. Many of them consider themselves as the indigenous people of Kazakhstan. To the question “Was your family deported to Kazakhstan?” 140 Kyrgyz people responded in the following way: 72 (51.4%) - no, 1 (0.7%) - yes, 67 (47.9%) - did not answer.
All interviewed respondents pointed to the need for national cognition, that is the respect for national traditions, religion and national cuisine. According to them it is not obligatory for the ethnos to live in one territory. Investigation was conducted by means of interviews, questionnaires and their analysis:
Ethnicity: Kyrgyz respondents with 140 questionnaires.
Ethnic cognition: The majority of the Kyrgyz ethnos (140 people) have represented themselves as Kyrgyz by their passports, 134 of whom (85.7%) are Kyrgyz people; 14 (0.7%) - Kazakh and Uighur; 4 (2.9%) - no data available.
Kyrgyz people often marry Kyrgyz people, but also encounter other nationalities. According to questionnnaire results following can be shown:
Father's nationality: 138 people (94.7%) - Kyrgyz; 3 () - Russian (0.7%) - Crimean Tatars and Uighur. According to the analysis the Kyrgyz side's interference with the other ethnicities is very low, except for the Kyrgyz but only 2 ethnic groups.
But according to mother’s nationality, there were 5 nationalities: 120 people (32.6%) - Kyrgyz; 14 (10.2%) - Kazakh; 3 (2.1%) - Russian; one person for (0.5%) - Uzbek, Uighur and Tatar.
Thus a major role in the mixed Kyrgyz families is played by fathers, so all the information is provided by them. In ethnicity regardless of nationality the father (Kyrgyz) is given the priority and the child’s nationality is determined by the nationality of his / her father. From this we can conclude that in the formation of consciousness, culture and language of the Kyrgyz people, in particular the influence of father is much more than that of mother’s.
Nevertheless in the mixed families Kyrgyz ethnic men and ethnic women can marry and marry representatives of other nationalities. But in most cases, the Kyrgyz men want to marry Kyrgyz women, and their girls want to marry Kyrgyz men, thus they maintain ethnic culture, traditions and mentality.
One thing is noticed among the second generation couples, that is when one of the married is not Kyrgyz: 67 (47.3%) children were recognized as Kyrgyzes; number of children recognized as Kazakhs is 7 (3.7%) and 61 (43.6%) of them have no information.
All interviewed respondents say that it is necessary to know their native language, but with disappearing of the older generation native language usage decreases. The older generation is fluent in their native language, middle-aged speak well and unfortunately younger generation uses Kazakh, Russian and Kyrgyz languages. The analysis of questionnaire showed the followinig data:
The analysis of the language of conversation with school-age children in the
family showed:
54 (38.6%) - only in Kyrgyz language;
12 (8.6%) - only in Russian language;
20 (14.3%) – in Russian-Kyrgyz languages;
4 (2.9%) – in Kazakh-Kyrgyz languages;
7 (5%) – in Kazakh-Russian-Kyrgyz languages;
5 (3,6%) - in Kazakh and Russian languages;
16 (11.4%) - only in Kazakh language and 22 (15.7%) - no data
Analysis of the language spoken during the conversations with adukts in the family:
64 (45.7%) - only in Kyrgyz;
10 (7.1%) - only in Russian;
18 (12.9%) - Russian-Kyrgyz;
17 (12.1%) - in Kazakh language;
6 (4.3%) - in Kazakh-Kyrgyz language;
6 (4,3%) - Kazakh-Russian-Kyrgyz;
5 (3,6%) - in Kazakh and Russian languages, 14 (10%) - have no data
Analysis of language during the conversations with representatives of other nationalities:
31 (22.1%) - only in Russian;
53 (37.9%) - in Kazakh and Russian languages;
5 (3,6%) - Russian-Kyrgyz;
8 (5.7%) - Kazakh-Russian-Kyrgyz;
20 (14.3%) - only in Kazakh, 4 (2.9%) in Kyrgyz; 19 (13.6%) - have no data
According to the “linguistic factor”, it was identified that the language for speaking with other nationalities for Kyrgyz people is Russian language. Kyrgyz people speak very well or they know the state language or can speak and also understand Kazakh language. Respondents noted that there is no discrimination in the language factor.
As noting the above issues, the questionnaire showed the next:
69 people (43.9%) – can speak fluently Kyrgyz, Kazakh, and Russian languages.
Most of them use language in public transportation, doctor's prescription, notary offices:
35 persons (25%) – Russian language;
65 people (46.4%) - Kazakh and Russian languages;
20 people (14.3%) - use the Kazakh language.
54 people (38.6%) - can read fluently in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
55 people (45%) - can write fluently in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
63 people (19.3%) - can understand fluently in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
40 people (28.6%) – can read languages newspapers, magazines and announcements in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
43 people (30.7%) – listen to lectures, talks, TV shows and radio in Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian languages;
For 39 people (27.9%) - are comfortable with listenening concerts, watching spectacles in Uzbek, Kazakh and Russian languages,;
84 people (15%) answered that they didn’t have to explain the films in Kazakh and Russian in their mother tongue, and 11 (7.9%) answered yes.
Even though they don’t speak their mother tongue fluently, all of respondents consider themselves as full-filled member of their ethnicity. According to personal information the representatives of the Kyrgyz ethnos identify their connection with ethnic and religious groups (102 respondents, 72.9% who adhere to Islam). Kyrgyz ancestors also adhered the Christianity and Buddhism along with the traditional religion.
Nowadays the Kyrgyz profession has changed dramatically and according to the results of the questionnaire the Kyrgyz entrepreneurs have the following professions:
3 people (2.1%) – are teachers;
44 people (31.4%) – are workers;
17 people (18.1%) – are employees of the service staff;
6 people (4.3%) – are civil servants;
4 people (2.9%) - are unemployed and 30 (17.6%) are engaged in other types of business (restaurants, trade, etc.).
The Kyrgyz people showed the main issues in the interethnic sphere such as:
- Representatives of the Caucasian people. Different understanding of religions - 2 people (11,1%);
- with Russian people - 1 person (3.3%);
- with Uzbeks, politics and borders - 3 people (16.6%);
- Had difficulty with answering - 2 people (11.1%).
- No - 10 people (55.5%).
Thus the majority of Kyrgyz people in Kazakhstan think that there is no systematic tension between Kazakhs and other ethnic groups who live in Kazakhstan.
On the basis of the Kyrgyz National Centers in Kazakhstan the Kyrgyz Association of “Manas” was established in Astana on 24th of August, 2007. Concerning this the Kyrgyz people in Kazakhstan received the right to elect representatives of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
To the question “Do you have any suggestions on teaching in your school, cultural and enlightenment work, producing books and music in your native language” some of the respondents (16 people) gave following answers:
- I wish further prosperity - 1 person (6.2%);
- I wish books would be published in native language - 2 persons (12,5%);
- I wish the world prosperity - 1 person (6.2%);
- I wish that the friendship between the Turkic-speaking people would strengthen and interact with each other - 1 person (6.2%);
- books, newspapers and magazines are published in Kyrgyz language - 2 people (12.5%);
- I'm happy to live in Kazakhstan - 1 person (6.2%);
- I would be happy if the Kyrgyz ethnocultural centers were opened - 1 person (6.2%);
- The questionnaire was very interesting - 5 people (31.2%);
- Nothing written- 3 people (18.7%).
As examples of the oral literature the respondents emphasized the poem “Manas”, the eposes “Kurmanbek”, “Er Tostik”, “Janyl”, the legend about Bishkek, "Cholpon", "Shynybek" and etc.
According to the wedding tradition the Kyrgyz diaspora arrange “Uilenu toi”, “Kyz uzatu”, “Kizdy torkeletuu” traditions; after the birth of baby “beshik-tuy”, “tysau kesu” and others. Respondents showed that the national traditions of Kyrgyz people are similar to Kazakhs, such as hospitality, respect for the elderly and they know the names of the national games.
From the results of the research it can be seen that Kyrgyz people are steadily developing with increasing their life experience and adapting it to a new socio-historical situation. The majority of Kyrgyz people in Kazakhstan think that Kazakhstan is a homeland and will not to abandon it.
Murtazaeva B.A.