Analysing the Spread of Islam in Western Kazakhstan through Architectural Monuments

Author: Beknazarov, Rakhym

Source: Anthropology of the Middle East, Volume 3, Number 1, Spring 2008 , pp. 28-42(15)

Publisher: Berghahn Journals

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Abstract:

This article addresses one of many complex questions concerning the spread of Islam in the territory of Kazakhstan, in particular the northern Aral region. Based on fieldwork, the author analyses architectural monuments, such as Gappar's grave, Baspaq cemetery and Matygul's grave, which represent Islam in the allusive functions of a mosque and funeral chamber. On the basis of a comparative analysis of monuments from the Middle Ages, such as Abat-Baytak, with the monumental constructions over graves in Kazakhstan, it is concluded that the Sufism trend of Islam prevailed in this region.

Keywords: ARCHITECTURE; GRAVE; ISLAM; KAZAKHSTAN; MONUMENT; MOSQUE; SUFISM

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3167/ame.2008.030104

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