Tortkulaks of the Middle Irtysh region

Tortkulaks - rectangular low fences with protrusions at the corners - are traditional and most numerous structures built above burials among the Kazakhs of the Middle Irtysh region. This article presents comparative analysis of tortkulaks from the southern areas of Omsk Region (Russia) and northern areas of Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions (Kazakhstan) using the evidences of field research by the authors. Fences of this type appeared there no later than the 18th-19th centuries. Initially, tortkulaks were built of sod blocks and adobe bricks. Adobe was subsequently used everywhere and was later replaced by industrially manufactured bricks. Protrusions at the corners are a distinctive feature of tortkulaks. In the past, they resembled ears and were made by simple adding of brickwork, which resulted in triangular elevations at the corners. Presently, fences with brick posts at the corners are common both in Kazakhstan and Russia. Brick walls or metal fence are made between the posts. Tortkulaks are rectangular or square in ground plan. Their standard size is 2-3 m wide and 3-4 m long. The walls are raised to a height of about 1.2-1.4 m. Tortulaks can be individually standing or interconnected. The latter type typically occurs at the cemeteries in the south of Omsk Region and is rare in Kazakhstan. At present, tortkulaks remain a common form of grave structures among the Kazakhs of the Middle Irtysh region both in Omsk Region and in the border areas of Kazakhstan. Their gradual replacement by combined (brick and metal) and metal fences can be observed in Russia.