Artistic ethnography in Abay’s poems

Abstract

The article analyzes ethnographic descriptions in the poems of Abay Kunanbayuly. The specific examples from his poems that artistic ethnography represents a national character in poetry are given, and ethnographic essays, customs and traditions in his works are considered. The close proximity of nomadic life to nature and dependence on natural phenomena formed their own cultural knowledge. In this context, the special significance of the scenery as a geographical, ethnographic, seasonal and social category is determined. The inseparable connection of ethnographic descriptions with nature seems like an inviolable law. The scenery is
characterized by its cultural and cognitive character, which includes the traditions of ancestors, folk poetics and folk images. Abay’s poems describe the life of nomads along with the seasons, and depict ethnographic scenes against the background of summer and autumn, winter and spring. The description of the four seasons reveals the life of the Kazakh auyls and opens up the space of artistic ethnography. Various rituals based on Kazakh traditions and customs are reflected in Abay’s poetry with realistic descriptions and create a model of new images, having philosophical depth. According to the results of textual analysis, one aspect of Abay’s work stands out for the formation of the best examples of artistic ethnography.