Güney Kazaki̇stan Sosyal Hayatinda Türbeler Ve Türbelerde Yapilan Zi̇yaretler

Abstract

Throughout history, Kazakhs, like all people, have associated their land and places with the sacred due to their spiritual feelings and beliefs. In Kazakhstan, there have been established many visiting places considered sacred with the adoption of Islam. As a result of the concept of ‘sacred’, the idea that the people they care about should be respected even after their death has emerged. They ascribed holiness to the belongings of those people, the places they lived and their graves, thus visited them. Those people who are visited and seen as saints are almighty people in the eyes of public with their miracles and the way of life. The present study reveals that various personalities have appeared to be seen as sacred in the South Kazakhstan region, such as historical figures, sect sheikhs, and folk heroes. The miracles that these people performed both while they were alive and after they died had an impact on the people’s belief in visiting. The tradition of visiting among Turks dates back to pre- Islamic times. Some sheikhs and dervishes, who are called ata (father) and veli in Islamic culture, have always been loved and respected in Islamic society. They have been immortalized with their legends and tombs after their death. In this study, within the scope of the most frequently visited tombs in the Southern Kazakhstan region, the reasons why people visit the tombs and the rituals they practice during these visits are examined. In pursuit of this goal, 26 different tombs in Southern Kazakhstan were studied by applying observations and analysing the activities of the people who visited these tombs. It was found that the visits to the tombs in Southern Kazakhstan are in the form of pray aimed at the individual needs of the people living around there, such as the desire to marry, birth and healing. In this context the study concluded that, contrary to what was claimed in previous studies, people’s visits to tombs are for the purpose of meeting their individual needs as a religious and/or cultural ritual rather than respecting their ancestors and keeping traditional rituals alive.