HORSE IS AN ETERNAL COMPANION OF THE KAZAKH
In the territory of modern Kazakhstan horse appeared 6 thousand years ago, together with the first nomadic tribes, generating of this land, that is with the first cultural civilizations, occupying of horse breeding. This was an Andronov culture. All following tribes, who occupied the territory of Kazakhstan – Saxes, Kangls, Kangs, Huns and many others, who were inextricably linked with horse breeding, so as their existence on the lands of a large scale without horses would be simply impossible. All their life totally depended from presence or absence of horses.
Movement of people to thousand kilometers, aggressive wars were impossible without good cavalry army. Name of the tribes «nomadic tribes» is implied mobility, rapidity, lightning nomad camp after attack and etc. Horse of Kazakh always was something immeasurably bigger than mean of conveyance, source of food, attribute of richness and prestige amongst neighbours. Horse was the part of life philosophy and world-outlook of human of Steppe, and horse’s behaviour and actions were answer on many compound human questions. Horse played exceptionally important role in life and way of life of nomads, who used it as a worker, butcher’s and milk animal.
British scientists after Americans recognized that horse was domesticated for the first time at the territory of Kazakhstan. Scientists from University of Pittsburg recognized the settlement Botay the most ancient monument of domestication of horse. It is interesting, that settlement Botay is situated near from Atbasar town (the name of this town in translation from Kazakh language means «to ride on horseback»). Junior scientific assistant-professor Rozmary Kapo conducted a chemical analyze of soil near from settlement. Research confirmed that 5 600 years ago, when people lived at the turn of the stone and cooper centuries, the ancestors of Kazakh bred the horses. Scientists from British University in Ekzeter after leadership of Ellan Outram found here the model of first bridles. Now they are considering, that namely in Botay, people taught riding on horseback for the first time. Besides, Britishers found the tracks of the horse’s milk on ancient cups. The conducted their researchers with well-known archeologist from Kokshetau University Viktor Zaybert. In 2008 year Pavlodar scientist Viktor Merts conducted working of ancient site of people of time of Neolitic and Eneolitic periods – Borly and proved, that in V – IV millenniums B.C. ancient population of north-east of Kazakhstan tame and domesticated horse.
Horse gave to people always: food and wear, possibility to hunt and fight, entertainment and enjoyment from that they as free animals are gamboled in an expanses of their land. The best racers made a sacrifice to God of the Sun, which particularly were honoured among steppe dwellers. It was considered that this animal is only who can compare with Sun at speed. The ancient-Greek historian Gerodot mentioned that in his works.
From ancient times Greeks interpreted nomads as centaurs – mythical self-animals-self-Gods, as a strong and unattainable men. Nomads, accomplished their raids, lived in the open air, in steppe areal suddenly appeared and so suddenly disappeared from field of vision of people of plains. Because they afraid them, and thought up various myths and legends.
Outstanding Kazakh scientist-archeologist Alkey Margulan wrote about etno-economic successions of Saxes and Kazakhs: «They had a similar life features and forms of economic. The best horses made a sacrifice. Skull and hooves of horse are served as a talisman. For example, Saxes hung to the belt hooves of famous racers as a subject bringing happiness in travel and protected from death during the battle. The same tradition was among Kazakh».
All technicalities of horse breeding and in whole, of all cattle breeding, inherent to ancient-turk period, reflects in life and language of Kazakh. In Chinese sources poetically are said about Kazakhs, as people «growing up on back of horse». From people legends and tales we know about horses of Er-Tostik – Shal Kuiryk, of Koblandy batyr – Taiburyl, of Alpamys – Baishubar, of Ablai-khan – Alshanboz (motley-grey) and Zhalyn Kuiryk (fiery tail) and many others. Their main qualities and signs recognized in the names of horses.
Upbringing of horse, designed for the hunting and battles, provides its participation in horse games, racings and stunts on back of horse. Among Kazakh were distributed sport-war games: lost to us from ancient times struggle of riders during of battle. The well-known Kazakh game «Overtake the girl», which is a very popular and today, by rules of this game if horsemen overtake girl, that he will receive a kiss, if he can’t overtake her, that receive poundings of whips.
Nomadic people from ancient times in great multitude represent horses as devote and faithful friends. Because life of nomads directly linked with horse, they were personages of myths, tales, legends and epical poems. The fantastical image of winged steeds, performances about magical winged substances winged steeds appeared in ancient times.
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