Kazakhstan –Heart of Eurasia
Haley Starr
University of Arizona
December, 2016
A Personal Reflection
Before having taken “Kazakhstan- Heart of Eurasia” with Professor Zura Dotton, my
knowledge of Kazakhstan was limited to say the least. Geographically I knew its location and its
status as a former Soviet Union state. Once or twice I had heard mention of the Russian
Federation blaming Kazakhstan for the rampant heroin use and abuse within its borders but in a
general sense, I had no clue what Kazakhstan was really about. With my newfound
enlightenment, I see that Kazakhstan is not only a land deeply devoted to its history, traditions,
and culture, but also a mixing pot of ethnicities far and wide. Additionally, it has a major place
on the world stage of peacekeeping, politics, and economics that is unknown to most Americans
and becoming more important in the years to come as our global community changes in each of
these critical areas.
The stories about Abai, the much loved bard and forefather of Kazakhstan, began our
journey to discovering Kazakhstan. To be assured that after so many years, Abai is still praised
above all others for his contribution to the welfare and standing of his country is not only a
testament to the character of Kazakhstanis’ hero, but also of how deeply this land can be loved
by any one man. There are many that have fought and died for countries around the globe, but
the love for Abai felt by Kazakhstanis is something that holds a nation together through the
toughest times. Have it be known, Kazakhstan has not had the easiest time in history.
The Kazakh culture is rich as well as functional. Historically, the nomadic people roamed
from their winter grounds to their summer grounds, and each time breaking down and rolling up
their felt yurts in order to make their home according to the coming season’s bidding. The
backbone of Kazakh culture is built around this idea of unity and movement. The homes were
well organized in order to sustain an entire family in one room, and richly decorated with deep
colors and distinguished patterns in order to bring warmth and personality to each space.
Everything Kazakh has a place and a purpose; nothing is extraneous.
As seen with the environment that the people surround themselves with, food in Kazakh
culture has much of the same ideology of everything must be used and nothing can go to waste.
Nearly all the parts of slaughtered animals and harvested crops are used and cherished, either
with specified recipients determined by social status, sex, or age or the extensive care taken in its
preparation.
Weddings and funerals are among the most spectacular display of Kazakh culture.
Between the customs and the rigid adherence to social classes and structure, Kazakhs are
dedicated to revering the cultural hierarchy between individuals. This means marriages were and
are carefully predetermined and planned with a celebration that puts the families’ worth and
dignity on display with feasting and gaming and strict procedure. Additionally, as the union of
individuals is held to high esteem, so is the departing. Rarely do I think I have learned about a
culture so dedicated to celebrating the dead as Kazakhs.
As a melting pot of over one hundred and thirty distinct ethnicities, it can be conjectured
that Kazakhstan would be at the height of global understanding. However, this day in age only
allows Kazakhstan to be a world player based on its position of sitting on top of one of the
world’s largest oil reserves. Money speaks louder than the over six billion mouths gasping for
life and yet, there are things to be learned by the major “developed” countries of the globe from
Kazakhstan.
The Kazakhstani president Nursultan Nazarbayev’s decision to dismantle the country’s
stock of nuclear warheads left over after the fall of the USSR stands as a greater testament to this
country’s commitment to world peace. Whether this was inspired by the suffering from the
Soviets’ iron grip or a history upheld by fair fights between forces made of honorable men,
Kazakhstan is a breath of fresh air on this power grubbing planet.
Of all my favorite parts of this class however, nothing beats the personal interaction
between my class here in Tucson and the Kazakhstani class hosted by my very own professor in
Kazakhstan. The students Skyping with my class were just as eager to ask the Americans
questions as my class was to ask the Kazakhstanis questions. Their personal dedication to their
education was compelling, as was their urgency to tell us about how much they loved their
country.
This class experience has been one of the few to make me think about how my future will
possibly be changed by what I have learned. My desire to visit Kazakhstan has grown so much
so that in the coming semester I will be utilizing my university studies to learn Kazakh under
Professor Dotton’s tutelage. Perhaps then, my reflection on what I have learned about
Kazakhstan will be beyond the scope that this reflection essay ever could have imagined.