Remnants of ancient beliefs in the funeral rite of the Kazakhs living in the Middle Irtysh region

This article analyzes pagan elements in funeral and commemorative rituals of the Kazakhs living in Omsk Region (Russia) and border areas of Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan Regions (Kazakhstan) using historical-comparative method, methods of field ethnography, and participant observation. These elements have been preserved due to the stable cult of ancestors surviving in the worldview of the population. They are most vividly manifested in funeral and commemorative rites and sacrificial rituals, such as “kurmaldyk” family ritual, “tasattyk” invocation of rain during a drought, “dua” ritual dedicated to family ancestors, and “aulie” worship of saints. Evidence has revealed close relationship between the living persons and ancestor spirits who have an intercessory function before Allah. According to the words of the elders, the aruaks pray together with the living persons during the prayer part of the sacrificial ritual. Most of the pagan rituals are associated with funeral and commemorative rites. In all regions under study, funerals and annual commemorations are accompanied by sacrifices of horses and sheep. People follow the custom of distributing fabrics, carpets, and other things in Omsk Region and Ualikhanov District of the North Kazakhstan region as opposed to Pavlodar Region and border areas of Novosibirsk Region and Altai Krai. That tradition goes back to the ancient Turkic times. It is intended to supply the deceased with things and cattle, which would serve them in the other world, and funeral meal would appear on their tables. These customs may be a transformation of the burial rite with grave goods and a horse. It has been established that pagan elements are fused with the Islam, which is typical of the entire culture of the Kazakhs in the regions under study.