The historical and spiritual expedition “Following the Path of the Ancestors” (Babalar zholymen), dedicated to the 35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, continues its journey across the country’s regions. Participants are visiting sacred heritage sites, examining archival records, and collecting oral histories that provide new perspectives on the history of individual clans and prominent historical figures, El.kz reports.
An expedition in search of historical memory
The expedition commenced in Astana on 21 July. The project brings together scholars, public figures, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, local historians, and descendants of distinguished historical personalities associated with the legacy of Maral Ishan Kurmanuly.
The expedition is organized by Mukhamedkhan Omarov, Head of the Maral Baba Public Foundationand a descendant of the renowned religious educator. According to him, the primary objective extends beyond visiting sites of historical significance. The expedition is systematically collecting archival documents, genealogical records, and oral accounts from local communities that may complement and enrich the existing historical record.
One of the project’s research priorities is the study of the familial ties between Maral Ishan and the prominent Alash Movement figure Shaimerden Koshshygulov. Researchers are examining shezhire(traditional genealogical records) alongside archival sources in order to substantiate these historical links through documentary evidence.
From Akmola region to North Kazakhstan
The expedition began in the village of Kogam, the historic settlement of the Kultaba clan. Participants visited the local mosque and school, while at the home of resident Murat Kurmashev they recorded oral testimonies from respected community elders concerning the history of the clan.
The caravan then proceeded to Stepnogorsk, where the guests were welcomed with a traditional dastarkhan, before continuing to Aksu, where participants paid tribute to the memory of Sagynai and Pan Nurmagambet. In Stepnyak, the administrative centre of Birzhan Sal District, the expedition was received by the district administration. A recitation from the Holy Qur’an was held in honour of the renowned poet and composer Birzhan Sal Kozhagululy.
Later that evening, the participants arrived in Burabay.
From Burabay, the route continued through Petropavl to the village of Nurymbet, where the expedition visited several burial sites associated with Kadisha Kurmankyzy, Eseney, Kozhabergen Zhyrau, and Batyr Seksen. In Uzynkol, members of the expedition attended a Qur’an recitation at the Kurman Baba Mosque.
The group then travelled approximately 20 kilometres to Yershovka, where they were welcomed by Akhmet Zhakiya. By evening, the caravan reached Kostanay, having covered more than 150 kilometres during the day.
Why the leacy of Maral Ishan is receiving particular attention
A central focus of the expedition is the study of the legacy of Maral Ishan Kurmanuly, whose name is closely associated with religious enlightenment, the development of education, and public service in the nineteenth-century Kazakh Steppe.
Throughout the expedition, researchers meet with descendants of prominent families, examine family archives, and record oral histories. These materials are of considerable value to historians, as they facilitate the comparison of official documentary sources with collective historical memory preserved within local communities.
As part of the project, the publication “Üsh Zhüzge Pir Atangan Äulie” (“The Saint Revered as the Spiritual Mentor of the Three Zhuz”) by Mukhamedkhan Omarov is also being presented. The book compiles information on the life of Maral Ishan and his contribution to the spiritual history of Kazakhstan.
Findings collected in Kostanay region
The sixth day of the expedition took place in Kostanay Region, with particular emphasis on sites associated with the life of Maral Ishan and his descendants.
Participants visited the mosque named in honour of the religious educator, where they met with representatives of the clergy and members of the local congregation. Discussions focused on the dissemination of Islamic education across the Kazakh Steppe and the contribution of religious leaders to preserving national values.
Researchers also devoted particular attention to collecting previously unpublished materials, including historical photographs, manuscripts, family records, and oral testimonies provided by local residents. Following scholarly assessment, some of these materials may be incorporated into the academic corpus and made available for future historical research.
The expedition then continued through Auliekol District, where the collection of historical evidence remained an important priority. For the participants, not only well-known monuments but also small rural communities are of significance, as they continue to preserve accounts of events passed down through generations.
Why such expeditions matter today
The history of Kazakhstan is preserved not only in archives and textbooks. A substantial body of historical knowledge remains within family documents, genealogical records, and the memories of people living in communities across the country.
For this reason, expeditions of this kind play an important role in integrating academic research with field-based evidence. The information collected contributes to refining the biographies of prominent historical figures, reconstructing historical connections between clans, and preserving valuable historical knowledge that might otherwise gradually disappear from the nation’s collective memory.
