Ancient Ritual Construction of Saryarka and its Interrelation with Kazakh Ideology

Research reveals a deep-rooted continuity in ritual traditions, particularly burial practices involving horses, spanning from the Bronze Age to the Kazakh period. The study identifies 'burial mounds with mustache' as significant ritual monuments, serving functions tied to sun and fire cults, and traces their ideological persistence over millennia. By analyzing archaeological evidence—including monuments from Huns and Turkish periods—the authors demonstrate that these rituals reflect a consistent system of belief in Saryarka, a historically rich region. The horse's central role in ancient ceremonies underscores its enduring symbolic importance, with ritual traditions showing remarkable stability despite evolving societal contexts.

Aitbaev, A., Duisenbai, D., Aikinbayeva, G., Tagayeva, S., Yessenova, D., & Tuyakova, A. (2016). Ancient Ritual Construction of Saryarka and its Interrelation with Kazakh Ideology. The Anthropologist, 26(1-2), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09720073.2016.11892122