Historical Heritage of the Alash Autonomy and Its Impact on Contemporary Identity Policy in Kazakhstan

Abstract

This article analyzes some of the key practices of modern identity politics in the Republic of Kazakhstan, namely the appeal to historical events, iconic figures and places of memory. One of these historical components is the memory of the Alash Autonomy (1917-1920), the Alash movement as a whole. It is noted that the Alash Republic has become a certain "historical and cultural place", memories of it in practice were reflected with the help of some symbolic forms. The author refers to such forms 1) renaming of toponyms in honor of the Alash people, 2) memorial policy dedicated to the movement, 3) renaming of social institutions in honor of the leaders of Alash-Orda, 4) cinema (films revealing the role of Alash Autonomy) and 5) official symbols of the Republic Kazakhstan (state emblem), on which the yurt was the key non-heraldic figure as a symbol of the Kazakh intelligentsia in the early 20th century. At the same time, the article not only singles out the nation-building practices formed “from above”, but also analyzes the role of symbolic forms constructed “from below”. The study examines protest movements that appeal to the basic postulates of Alash-Orda, music videos with iconic figures of the past (Alash people), as well as formed brands dedicated to the Alash movement, blogs on social networks dedicated to the Kazakh intelligentsia in the early 20th century. In addition, the paper analyzes the results of sociological surveys, which also showed the historical significance of the Alash Autonomy and the Alash movement for the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the same time, the study emphasizes a certain value gap and conflict between legitimizing, protesting and projective identities.