Every Urban Area Tells a Tale: Unveiling Kazakhstan's Cityscape as a Testament to Its Vast History
In Kazakhstan, cities bear more than merely geographical significance; their names are imbued with historical, cultural, and linguistic weight. Dr. Kyzdarkhan Rysbergen, a philologist, sheds light on the origins and meanings behind the country's urban names in an interview with Kazinform.
Astana and Almaty: Evolving Capitals
Originating from ancient Bozok settlements on the southern outskirts, the history of Kazakhstan's capital city dates back to the 8th-16th centuries. First called Akmola in the late 19th century, the city was a significant stop for caravan travel between Tashkent and Bukhara under the Russian Empire.
Since its inception, Astana, now more famously known as Nur-Sultan, has undergone several name changes, including Akmolinsk, Tselinograd, Akmola, and Astana. A 2019 renaming in honor of the country's first president was followed by a 2022 reversion to Astana. Each name alteration serves as a reflection of the nation's evolving identity.
Meanwhile, Almaty's history traces centuries back to 1390, as Almalyk. Archaeologist Karl Baipakov identified Almaty as the site of medieval settlements. By the 15th century, the region was named Ush Almaty by Kazakh poet and philosopher Asan Kaigy in search of the mythical Zheruiyk. The name Almaty originates from the Kazakh word 'alma,' meaning 'apple,' symbolizing the abundance of apples in the area. The suffix -ty, similarly found in names like Yrgaity and Arganaty, denotes place or abundance.
Cities Shaped by Natural Wealth
Founded in 1959, Aktau emerged following the discovery of oil, gas, and uranium. Initially named Akkoltyk, the city was later renamed Shevchenko in 1964 in honor of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. Subsequently dubbed Aktau in 1991, it maintains a connection to its geological roots as the name 'Aktas,' signifying white stone, references the area's quartz and limestone formations. Some researchers argue that the name might have been artificially created instead of being derived from natural features.
Zhezkazgan, established in 1954, reflects its vast copper reserves in its name. Historically known as a copper mining locale, its name stems from the combination of Kazakh words 'zhez' (copper) and 'kazgan' (to dig).
Kazakhstan's Ancient Cities: A Blend of Past and Present
Although Taraz was first documented in 568 A.D. by Byzantine envoy Zemarchus, its origins remain debated by linguists. Common understandings include 'tar' meaning valley or gorge, and 'az' referring to water or river. This interpretation would make Taraz mean mountain river. With more than 1,500 years of history, Turkistan is one of Kazakhstan's most ancient cities, known for its spiritual and cultural significance.
Shymkent, a thriving modern city, owes its name to its lush meadows and gardens. 'Shym' denotes turf, while 'kent' is related to city, originating from Iranian languages.
With this overview of major ancient and historically significant cities in Kazakhstan, it becomes clear that each city's name reflects its rich geographical, cultural, or historical context within the country.
Home-and-garden elements are symbolically represented in the names of Kazakh cities like Almaty, which originally means 'apple,' and Shymkent, named for its lush meadows.
The recreation of Aktau, founded in 1959 due to oil, gas, and uranium discoveries, reflects home-and-garden themes through its name 'Aktas,' signifying white stone, referring to the area's quartz and limestone formations.