The Image of the Kazakh Women in the Works of Russian Authors in the Context of Imperial Policy in the Steppes (The End of the XVIII - Beginning of XX Century)

Abstract

The aim of the present article is to show in numerous ethnographic works, notes and memories of Russian authors of the end of XVIII – beginning of the XX centuries how not only the image of the Kazakh steppe was formed but also images of colonized ssubject-nomads, and in this case an image of the woman-Kazakh were formed. In the given article the authors have undertaken the attempt to show that in the works of the Russian authors of the indicated period a peculiar image of the Kazakh woman as “depressed”, “without rights” but at the same time “free from muslim dogmatism and reticence” was formed. Also these two opposite opinions or a stereotype with reference to the Kazakh women got on with each other not badly, moreover, both of them showed that the women-Kazakh were open for perception of the principles of ‘civilizing’ Russian influence as a result. In the opinion of the Russian officials, the Kazakh women could be successful in dissemination of the Russian culture in the traditional nomadic community