Publishing house of kazakh folklore of the 19th century (based on the kirghiz steppe newspaper)

Abstract

The article examines in detail the samples of Kazakh folklore published in the Kirghiz Steppe Newspaper (Kirghizskaya Stepnaya Gazeta) at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. It analyzes the dissemination, classification, and publication of folklore materials within this periodical. The study focuses on the representation of various folklore genres, including proverbs, ritual folklore, mourning poems, and texts reflecting the traditions and customs of the Kazakh people. The collected materials are analyzed in terms of their genre characteristics and thematic features using descriptive and systematization methods. The published folklore samples illustrate the worldview and cultural values of the Kazakh people and emphasize the importance of preserving national heritage through the printed press. The research demonstrates that the Kirghiz Steppe Newspaper was among the first publications to contribute to the collection, publication, and dissemination of Kazakh folklore in written form. It defines the literary and scholarly significance of publishing folklore materials in periodicals and identifies their role in the development of Kazakh folklore studies. The article presents four examples of ritual folklore and twenty-two proverbs, showing how these materials reflect artistic and social aspects of Kazakh oral traditions. The findings confirm that the Kirghiz Steppe Newspaper played an essential role in preserving and promoting the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Kazakh people. The study offers a new perspective on the publication traditions of Kazakh folklore and outlines methodological directions for further research.