KOSHKE KEMENGERULY – Institute of History and Ethnology named after Sh. Sh. Ualikhanov

Koshke Kemenger-uly (Koshmukhambet Kemengerov) (1896-1937) was a prominent figure of the Alash period, enlightener, journalist, writer, playwright, historian.

Biography

Koshke Kemenger-uly (Hoshmuhamed, Koshmuhambet Kemengerov) was a prominent figure in the Alash period. In 1915-1930, he made an invaluable contribution to Kazakh literature, drama, journalism, history, and natural sciences. He participated in the national liberation struggle. During the period of tsarist rule, he was a member of the first Kazakh youth association “Birlik” and the editor of his journal “Balapan”. In 1917, he participated in the creation of the Akmola Regional Committee of Alash Orda. In 1918-1919 he was the editor of the alashorda people’s newspaper “Zhas Azamat”. After the establishment of Soviet power in the 1924-1930s, he worked in various educational institutions, was engaged in science. The multi-faceted activity of K. Kemerger-uly was interrupted by the political repression that began in the 30s.

K. Kemerger-uly was born on July 15, 1896 /1/ in the Omsk district of the Akmola region according to the territorial division that existed at those times. His ancestors moved here from Bayanaul Sarytau. Discovered sources show as follows: “Being concerned about no place for food and praying in Omsk, Shorman bi bought land for 250 rubles on the left bank of the Irtysh River next to the Cadet Corps in which his son Musa studied; and in 1849 he asked his faithful brother Kemenger Atan-uly (Koshke’s grandfather) to build own house in that place. Besides the house itself there were built houses for servants and a barn for livestock” /2/.

Only a place remains from these houses now. The tomb of Kemenger and his father’s house are in Sarytau.

Kemenger raised two sons named Duisenbai and Duisebai. The children of Duisenbai were called Dosmagambet, Tashmagambet, Nurmagambet, Esmagambet, Makysh. Duisebai had five sons – Bekmagambet, Zharmagambet, Kulmagambet, Koshmuhambet (Koshke), Userbay and three girls – Nurzhamila, Sanipa, Hanipa.

The son of Duisebai Koshmuhambet, growing up, signed “Koshke Kemenger-uly” under his writings. Honoring the name of the ancestors is a Kazakh tradition, so at the beginning of the century the “uly” was used instead of the Russian suffix “ov”, which our contemporaries cannot get rid of.

One more fact: the daughter of Duisebai Aldia (Nurzhamila) marries the famous Alash leader Otynshy Alzhan-uly.

From a young age, religious Duisebai chooses the path of truth, and being single he visits Mecca and becomes a “Haji”. Before leaving for St. Mecca, he becomes Kartabai’s companion, a well-known person in Atygay. Kartabay was so pleased with young Duisebai that upon his return, he personally gives him his daughter Zhamilya in marriage.

Having been born in an educated and influential family, Koshke was upbrought properly.

Duisebai, who understood well the main Muslim duty – educating children, sends his sons and daughters to the mullah and teacher, and teaches them literacy. Along with the Arabic language, he also teaches them Russian.

Koshke learns Arabic literacy in Kisyk with Mullah Belgibai, then his father sends him to the Omsk Church-Parish School (at that time the school was called school, madrasah by Muslims, and Russian educational institution were called school, uchilishe). When Parish schools, which initially opened to attract to the Christian religion, discovered that Muslims would not send their children there, exempted them from the subject “God’s Law”. Young Koshke learns the Russian language, as well as the basics of other disciplines at the Parish school.

Later, the father sends Koshke to the Omsk Veterinary and Paramedic School. Since it was a special educational institution, K. Kemerger-uly gets the basics of livestock and medicine there. In 1913, after graduating from the 2nd grade of the school, he plans to enter the Omsk Agricultural School, where it would possible to gain deep and systematic knowledge. In addition, there were many Kazakh students in that school.

August 1, 1913 Kemenger-uly Koshmuhambet was 34th to submit documents for the agricultural department of the Omsk Agricultural School /3/. The protocols stored in the Omsk archives contain information about Koshke’s early education, the status of his parents, etc. /4/.

After passing the exams in geography, arithmetic, the Russian language, Koshke was admitted to the school. In 1913, Abrakhim-uly Akhmet, Kazybek-uly Smagul, Samat-uly Mukhtar entered the named institution. Even though Seyfullauli (Seyfullin) Saken, had submitted the documents, he did not appear at the exam. A year earlier, Kazakh young people like Baizhan-uly Sulembek, Aibas-uly Birmuhamed, Shorman-uly Asfandiyar were admitted to the school. A little later (in 1916) Smagul Saduakas-uly would enter as well.

There is reason to note that Koshke with his contemporaries significantly replenished the ranks of Kazakh youth who sought to study in the city of Omsk. At the same time, this wave contributed to the unification of Alash youth in one place. This idea is confirmed by the fact that in 1915 the “Birlik” Association of Kazakh youth was founded in Omsk, as well as the fact that K. Kemenger-uly /5/ was the editor of his manuscript journal “Balapan”. Sources regarding “Birlik” have now begun to appear little by little, but nothing is still known about the “Balapan” journal.

In general, Omsk is a city that armed the Kazakh intelligentsia with knowledge and did not consider them strangers. In the late XIX and early XX centuries, two waves of Alash enlighteners got a ticket to the world of politics and spirituality. It was here in Omsk that the newspaper “Dala ualaiatynyn gazeti” was published, the official direction of which was the propaganda of the tsar’s decrees to the tsar’s people, but in reality it was engaged in the enlightenment of the Kazakhs. Rightly criticizing the tsar’s national policy, frankly outlining the distortion of the issue of resettlement, the newspapers “Omich”, “Sibirsky Vestnik”, “Zhizn Altaya” were the original editions of Omsk (A. Bokeikhan was in direct contact with them).

Nevertheless, we must not forget the moments when Omsk concerned to ethnicities as Kazakhs cautiously. Koshke himself in his work “Qazaq tarihynan” (From the History of the Kazakhs) wrote: “When at least one of the Kazakhs does not send children to a Russian school in Omsk, it was regarded as a lack of work with foreign elements” /6/.

We will not be wrong in asserting that while studying at the school K. Kemenger-uly met all the Kazakhs and showed them what a person he is. His poems, published in 1915 in the first Kazakh journal “Aikap” glorified his name to the people.

In one of the sources relating to the Omsk Agricultural School, it is noted that on August 25, 1917, 7 trainees, including K. Kemenger-uly and S. Kazybek-uly, assisted in the census of the Migration Department of Akmola Oblast /7/.

In both coups of 1917 there was no involvement of the Kazakh intelligentsia, as well as the truth that in those years full of political reforms, the Kazakh intelligentsia did not indulge in any trend on the Kazakh lands from the north. Since 1910, the Alash Society has made attempts to revive, and after 7-8 years no one would argue that “the national question has been completely resolved.”

During the political events of 1917-1918, Koshke was among the lost people and scholar intelligentsia. It was a tough time, and politics was unstable. However, despite this, the Alash intelligentsia among the lost people was looking for reconciliation.

In April 1917, Koshmuhambet Kemenger-uly, together with Dinshe Adil-uly, arrives from the Akmola Regional Kazakh Committee (i.e. from Omsk) in the city of Akmola, and opens the county Kazakh committee. Saken Seyfolla-uly was elected its chairman. Gathering in the madrasah or in the city government, the creators of the Kazakh Committee were looking for ways to save the people in troubled times.

We learn about Koshke’s staying in Akmola from Saken’s novel “Tar jol taigak keshu” (The Thorny Path): “Dinshe Adil-uly, Koshmuhambet Kemenger-uly, Birmuhambet Aibas-uly and I all slept in the same room” / 8 /.

In Akmola, Koshke also takes part in the work of the “Zhas Qazaq” organization created by Saken. However, due to disagreements between the regional Kazakh committee and the district Kazakh committee, as well as the fact that the leadership of “Zhas Qazaq” decided to stay away from Alash Orda, in August 1917, Koshke leaves Akmola and returns to Omsk.

In autumn and winter of that year in Omsk, K. Kemenger-uly participates in the opening of the committee of the Alash Akmola Oblast Party. Thus, he himself becomes a member of this party /9/. After a while, Alash committees are created in five counties of the region. Due to a lack of information, we cannot say in which county Koshke was directly involved in the opening of the Committee.

Koshke, who was only twenty-odd years old, did not get tired of either the struggle or the search. Together with young like-minded people, he arrives in the village of Karzhas, which is located on the left bank of the Irtysh River at the entrance to Omsk, and makes plans for the future. In contrast to 1915-1916 meetings which were held secretly, these were open meetings.

The result of the meeting in Karzhas was the organization and newspaper “Zhas Azamat”, which in 1918-1919 provided substantial assistance to Alash Orda and carried out significant work for national unity.

As a result of political events from 1917 to 1919, it was strong who won, not educated.

The Alash figures decided that for the future independence of the nation it is necessary to continue working on enlightening the people. That was the only way out.

In 1918, Koshke Kemenger-uly graduated from an Agricultural School. In 1919 he was accepted as an instructor in the Department of Small Nations of the Department of Public Education of the Akmola region (Omsk) /10/. The department is a part of the collegium of the “Zhas Azamat” association, founded in Omsk by young alashorda people. He becomes the editor of the newspaper “Zhas Azamat”, published by this organization in Kyzylzhar. Articles on the aspirations of alash were regularly published on the pages of the “Zhas Azamat” newspaper, as well as on the pages of the national publications “Qazaq”, “Saryarka”, and “Abay”. “Zhas Azamat” exposed the unscrupulous actions of the Bolsheviks. At the same time, during difficult periods, the newspaper called youth for unify.

In the same 1919, Koshke enters the Omsk Polytechnic Institute /11/. He studies only the first year there.

In 1920, K. Kemenger-uly was invited as a teacher to the Petropavl (Kyzylzhar) district of Akmola region (center – Omsk). Therefore, the newspaper “Zhas Azamat”, which he was the editor of, was published in 1918-1919 in this city.

He begins to deliver lectures as a teacher on the “Red Teacher Courses”, first created in Kyzylzhar and whose name corresponded to the time. Magzhan also had been teaching there at that period. A graduate of these courses and subsequently the director of the Omsk Kazakh teacher training school, Zhunisbek Zhangonakov writes in his memoirs: “200 teachers studied at the courses. Koshmuhambet taught natural science. He also was in charge of literature. Sometimes he read stories and plays written by himself” /12/.

In Kyzylzhar, Koshke’s dramatic abilities appeared. In 1919-1920, he created such plays as “Kaskyrlar men koylar” (Wolves and Sheep) and “Bostandyk jemisi” (Fruits of Freedom). Both of them were placed on the stage of the city park in Kyzylzhar. Zh. Zhangonakov wrote that he played the role of a conscript in the play “Kaskyrlar men koylar” about the 1916 event, and Sabit Mukanov, who later became a writer, played the role of a messenger of the volost.

On December 7, 1920, the representative office of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kazakh Republic in Siberia sent a special letter No. 121 to the administration of the Siberian Agricultural and Industrial Institute on the admission of Koshmuhambet Kemenger-uly and Muratbek Seit-uly to the medical department of the veterinary faculty.

December 8, K. Kemenger-uly asks to accept him to the institute and writes a statement on his behalf. Thus, he receives a certificate No. 93 dated January 5, 1921 stating that “K. Kemenger-uly is a first-year student of the veterinary faculty of the medical department of the institute.”

During Koshke’s studies, the name of the institute was renamed to “West Siberian State Medical Institute”. Koshke writes about where he and his parents lived during these years as the following: “Parents live in aul No. 9 in the Kisyk pasture of the Teke regionof the Omsk district. My current residential address is Omsk city, 2-line, 68 house” /13/.

In 1923, in the questionnaire of the institute, Koshke reports that he was an employee of the newspaper “Bostandyk Tuy” (Banner of Freedom). Sources indicate that the “Bostandyk Tuy” began functioning on March 19, 1921 after the newspaper “Kedei sozi” (Word of the Poor) was closed in Omsk. Only 5-6 issues of this newspaper /14/ were published in Omsk. In mid-1921, after the accession of the Akmola region to Kazakhstan, the newspaper began to be published in Kyzylzhar. Koshke worked as a correspondent for this newspaper.

In 1923, great events took place in the personal life of K. Kemenger-uly: he met Zura, the daughter of Muhamedzhan from the Akkiik clan, descended from the Kyzylzhar Atygay clan, and started a family with her. Koshke meets her during his medical practice under the guidance of Professor Zarnitsyn. At that time, Koshke was a student-trainee. Unfortunately, in March 1924, Zura dies during childbirth. This tragedy greatly unsettled Koshke. Experiencing this grief, he becomes very ill /15/.

After finishing the third year, on August 21, 1924, K. Kemenger-uly wrote a statement on transfer to the medical faculty of Central Asian State University. The administration of the Institute approved his application only on September 3 after his passing the 4-year exam. That year, Koshke passed 21 medical exams.

In 1924 he moved to the center of the Turkestan Republic – the city of Tashkent. In his personal file there is a copy of one telegram. It was written there: “Tashkent. To the editors of the newspaper “Ak Zhol” K. Kemenger-uly. He fully attended 4 course lectures. Omsk. Omskaya street, house 26. Sokolova” /16/. From this source it can be judged that Koshke was related to the “Ak Zhol” newspaper in Tashkent.

In the 1920s, most of the intelligentsia settled in Tashkent. The policy here was comparatively milder than in Orenburg. The attitude of the Turkestan government towards the old intelligentsia was special. Without the support of the Talap community, created by national patriotic politicians under the leadership of H. Dosmuhamed-uly in December 1922, it was very difficult to survive. During this period in Turkestan, Alash figures worked in the press and in the educational field. The newspaper “Ak Zhol” often published materials on how to save the nation and people in the new era, where figures and writers openly talked about the relationship between the Center and the Republic /17/.

K. Kemenger-uly believed in the future of the issue of ethnic, national, religious unity, affected by the leader of Turkestan T. Ryskulov (Turkestan Confederation). He always hoped that the native land – the Kazakh steppes with the Siberian plain, Orenburg, Astrakhan, that remained outside the border, as well as the Kazakh Republic will sooner or later concentrate in Turkestan.

Koshke’s daughter heard from her mother how the family lived in Tashkent: “Father, upon arrival in Tashkent, began to closely communicate with local poets, writers, and art people. He built a house at his own expense. He was a jack of all trades: tools, household utensils – he did everything himself. He taught at the labor faculty, military school. All Alash activists in Tashkent certainly visited our house. Alikhan Bokeikhan and Akhmet Baitursyn-uly turned to him “Karagym Koshke” (dear Koshke). Since medicine was his specialty, his help was useful to many. For example, he cured akyn (poet) Isa (Bayzak-uly) from a skin disease of the head. The same assistance was rendered to Shaken Eleush-uly” /18/.

K. Kemenger-uly began to work closely with the Alash intelligentsia, who settled here. His acquaintance with Alikhan, Akhmet, Mirzhakyp, and their spiritual kinship, which began in Omsk, became even more acute here. At that time, Akhmet and Mirzhakyp worked in Orenburg, and Alikhan Bokeikhan – in the the Kazakh section of the “Kunshygys” publishing house in Moscow. In Tashkent, Koshke also talked with Halel Dosmukhamed-uly, Mukhtar Auez-uly, Magzhan Zhumabai-uly, Zhusupbek Aymauyt-uly, Abdollah Baitas-uly, Daniyal Iskak-uly /19/. The Turkestan period of Koshke coincided precisely with a broad discussion of the famous “Alka” program. This program was in tune with Koshke’s artistic and literary activities. In 1926, in an article entitled “Korkem adebiet turaly” (On Fiction), he specified the goal of “Alka” and systematized its objectives /20/.

K.Kemenger-uly’s period of life in Tashkent expanded his work. In Omsk, he completes “Kazakh tarihynan” (“From the History of the Kazakhs”) and hands it over to the publishing house of the eastern people. In this publishing house in 1925 his scientific works “Buryngy ezilgen ulttar” (“Early Oppressed Peoples”) and “Kazakh-Russian Phrasebook” were published. Baykaskal-uly, Baymakan-uly, Dauletbek-uly, Temirbek-uly, Sarsenbay-uly took part in the compilation of the dictionary under the leadership of K. Kemenger-uly. While in Tashkent, Koshke wrote the “Study Guide for Europeans”, consisting of two books in Kazakh. Its first part was published in 1928 in Tashkent, the second – in 1929 in Kyzylorda.

In 1918-1919, as S. Saduakas-uly wrote: “The prose of a young, promising Kemenger-uly places hope on the future / 21 /. Koshke wrote several works in Tashkent such as “Otarshyldyk uskyndary” (The Forerunners of Colonialism), “Kandy tolkyn” (Bloody wave), “Momyntai”, “Erlik jurekte” (Courage in the heart), “Qazaq ayelderi” (Kazakh women), “Jetim kyz” (Orphan girl), “Duria”, “Naziha”. K. Kemenger, like his contemporaries Mukhtar Auez-uly, Zhusupbek Aymauyt-uly, preserving the national flavor, strove for the top of the artistic narration.

In addition, majoring in the field of veterinary medicine, he wrote articles on natural and agricultural sciences, and translated the textbook “Chemistry” /22/.

In 1925, the capital of Kazakhstan moved to Akmeshit, and the Kazakh area was given the new name, Kyzylorda. The first play to be performed here in the State National Theater on January 13, 1926, was “Altyn Sakina” (Golden Signet) by K. Kemenger-uly. The performance had such a positive effect on the playwright, that in 1923 he wrote and presented to the viewer the play “Parashyldar” (The corrupted), and in 1927 – “Eski oku” (The Old Doctrine), in 1930 – “Kunasiz kuigender” (Innocent victims). The talented critic S. Saduakas-uly wrote the following about Koshke’s dramaturgy: “He more than understands the inner experiences of a human being” /23/.

Koshke Kemenger-uly proved himself as a talented journalist in Tashkent. After returning from Omsk, he collaborates with the “Ak Zhol” newspaper, and also carries out editorial work in several issues of the scientific and educational journal “Sana”. In 1925, he takes part in organizing the first meeting of “Ak Zhol” correspondents. He writes a number of articles on social, economic, scientific and educational topics. He expressed his weighty opinion in disputes about literature.

In his spare time from journalistic and educational activities, he collected materials about his contemporaries for his future novel. In a letter to D. Adil-uly discovered in the KGB archives on March 16, 1925, he writes: “You are a person who has seen a lot in life. You know that sometimes I am fond of writing. I want to get acquainted with your biography. Spare me some time. It is time to report. I am starting to write a novel about the Kazakh intelligentsia /24/.

In Tashkent, Koshke and Gulsim gave birth to three children named Zaira, Narmanbet, and Saule. In the history of this city, the leader remained not only as a writer, but also as an educator: in 1926, he teaches at the Central Asian University and the Turkestan Military School.

The question arises: “Did Koshka express a desire to transfer from the Omsk Medical Institute to the SAGU Faculty of Medicine?” What is the situation with this issue? According to archival sources studied by us, the personal file of K.D. Kemengerov was registered at the Faculty of Medicine for the 1926/1927 academic year /25/, but was removed for unknown reasons. In our opinion, Koshke could personally do this from a greater predisposition to philology.

Koshke taught the Kazakh language at the worker institute, preparatory department, faculty of oriental studies, faculty of Soviet economy and law of SAGU.

After two years at the university, K. Kemenger-uly really wanted to devite his career to science. In this regard, he chooses Turkology. On October 23, 1928 Koshke was accepted into graduate school of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. Archival sources confirm that Mukhtar Auez-uly studied at the graduate school of the named university with K. Kemenger-uly. These two talented young people were taught by such orientalists as A.E. Schmidt, M.F. Gavrilov, and A. B. Dubson.

The following disciplines were taught at this faculty: Economic geography of Turkestan and its neighboring countries, History of the Kazakh people, English, Uzbek, Reading Uzbek documents, Kazakh, Turkmen, Reading monuments of Kazakh folk literature, Tatar, Language of Orkhon monuments, Uyghur, History of the Muslim East, Arabic, Persian, Ethnography of Turkestan, Muslim laws, Islamic studies, Eastern calligraphy, History of the ancient East, Introduction to the language cognition, Political economy /26/.

True science is born only after an open, systemic polemic. In this regard, we notice that Koshke entered into a discussion about the difficult issues of the Kazakh language with such teachers as Yudakhin, Polivanov, and Schmidt. According to archival sources, in May 1929, at a conference on spelling, E. Omarov, K. Zhubanov, and K. Kemenger-uly expressed their arguments and argued with European scholars about the new spelling and principles for creating terms /27/.

While in Tashkent, Koshke wrote a number of articles on the problems of Kazakh linguistics. If you pay attention to the opinion of Daniyal Iskakov, who studied at SAGU, he states: “When in 1927 S. Saduakas-uly came to be the director of Kazpedvuz in Tashkent, he hired Koshke as a teacher” /28/.

Kazpedvuz, founded on October 29, 1926, is the very first name of KazPI named after Abay, and now it is KazNPU. Its functioning originates from the 6-month course of Kazakh teachers, which was opened on November 20, 1918. On June 1, 1919, it was recreated as the Kazakh Pedagogical College, and on September 1, 1920, as the Kazakh Institute of Public Education (Kirinpros). Later it was Kazpedvuz, then KazPI.

The list of scientific works of K. Kemenger-uly also includes “Grammar of the Kazakh language”, published in Russian in 1927 and compiled by G.V. Arkhangelsky. In the preface to this study, edited by Koshke, the compiler writes: “This work presents notes of lectures on the Kazakh language read by comrade Kemengerov – a teacher of the Kazakh language at the former Turkestan Oriental Studies Courses of the Red Army in 1924-1925 ”, expressing gratitude to the mentor /29/. In “from the author” section it is noted that this work was highly appreciated by A. Baitursyn-uly.

In the 24-30s, Koshke Kemerger-uly worked not only in Tashkent. He set out on business trips to Orenburg, Kyzylorda, Semey, Shymkent when it was possible, and had links with writers of these cities. In archival manuscripts, he writes: “During the summer vacation I have the habit of traveling home to drink kymyz” /30/.

Old eyewitnesses report: “Before traveling to Omsk from Tashkent, Kemenger-uly visited the land of his ancestors, Bayanaul Sarytau,” (recorded by us during a scientific trip in 1994).

On October 13, 1930, K. Kemenger-uly was falsely accused of being an “adversary of Soviet power” in a detention center. After some time, he was transferred from Tashkent to Almaty prison.

Kemenger-uly Koshke spent about 2 years in the Almaty prison. In one of the statements preserved in the KGB archives, he writes: “For 10 months now I’ve been sitting innocently in prison. I am falsely accused under clauses II-7 of the 58th article of the Criminal Code …. If you want to know, my tuberculosis has become even more acute. Such conclusions were made by the inspecting medical bonard. Let me at least write a receipt and undergo treatment” /31/. The date of this statement is July 17, 1931.

Koshke was definitely not able to get treatment. He stayed in the Almaty prison until the end of April 1932. According to the decision of the “troika”, he was charged under clause 10, 11 of Article 58, and including the charge “Traitor of the Motherland” was imprisoned for 5 years in addition to the previously given time and sent to exile in the city of Valuyki, Ukraine.

In a statement to the Chief Prosecutor of the Kazakh SSR in April 1940 (at that time the Kemerger-uly family thought that “the head of the family is alive”) Gulsim Kemenger-uly writes: “After 2 years of imprisonment, in the years 1932-1934 he was in administrative exile in the city of Valuyki. At that time, he was a medical doctor at the construction of the Moscow-Donbass railway /32/ (Gulsim asks the investigating authorities for a meeting with Koshke in the statement).

Archival sources share the information that prior to medical work on the railway, Koshke carried out the activities of an economist. It was in this building where S. Saduakas-uly worked as an engineer in 1932-1933. In the direction of Valuyki, Voronezh, H. Dosmuhamed-uly, J. Dosmuhamed-uly, J. Akbay-uly, E. Omar-uly, S. Kadyrbai-uly, K. Toktybai-uly, M. Tynyshbai-uly, Zh. Kuder-uly, M. Myrza-uly were forced into exile. There is every reason to argue that these individuals somehow found a way to communicate.

In 1935, Kemenger-uly Koshke completed his term in Valuyki. By law, he now had the right to return to his homeland. However, the prudent NKVD preferred to keep political prisoners away from their homeland. He was rejected to finally return to his homeland, instead, he received permission to live in Omsk Sharbakkol.

Having suffered much humiliation from politics, in Sharbakkol, Koshke chooses the service of a simple instructor in the district health department. Thus, he begins to provide people with medical activities. His “good” hands helped many. Day and night, all those who were tormented by diseases of the head and bones knocked on the door to a clean and devoted person.

Apparently, in his spare time from medical activities, he was engaged in raising three children, and spent nights writing.

A soul’s desire is an interesting thing. Is there a better pleasure for those who like to hold a pen and indulge in inspiration than filling in white paper.

According to the memoirs of Zaira Koshkekyzy, in 1937 her father finished a novel about contemporaries, begun back in Tashkent, and was looking for ways to publish it in Almaty publishing houses. Unfortunately, the book in that form fell into the hands of the NKVD.

The bloody repression machine in 1937 easily found Koshke – a doctor in Sharbakkol. Thus, on that August 7th, he was again arrested. This time, the NKVD turned the house of Koshke upside down, confiscated all the manuscripts, leaving his wife and children in tears, and forced him into exile to Omsk.

The document on the confiscation of K. Kemenger-uly’s property is still kept in the archives of the Omsk Regional Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. The following manuscripts of the scientist are taken under the inventory:

1. Entries in the Kazakh language – 2 packs.

2. Pocket notebook in Kazakh and Russian – 1.

3. Notebook with a black cover – 1.

4. Manuscript of a book written in Kazakh – 1.

5. Newspapers in the Kazakh language.

6. Notebook with a brown cover – 1.

Arrested in early August, Koshke spent 3 painful months in the NKVD prison in Omsk city. The investigation, which was carried out at that time on K. Kemenger-uly as well as on 82 Kazakh citizens, had a severe damage to each of them. According to Omsk researcher Veniamin Samosudov, they were charged with the following: “They had a connection with a political and public figure in Kazakhstan, Turar Ryskulov. Ryskulov and a number of other Soviet and party leaders tried to ‘unite the members of the former Alash Orda’” /33/.

Later, out of these 82 people, 62 people were sentenced to death by shooting.

Speaking specifically about the fate of K. Kemenger-uly, on November 16, 1937, according to the decision of the “troika” of the UNKVD, according to the conclusion of the 3rd part of the investigation case No. 7396, he did not agree with the verdict “Led the national organization for sabotage against the Siberian Soviet power” and was sentenced to death /34/.

The decision was approved on November 17, and was carried out on November 21.

K.Kemenger-uly on August 17, 1957 was officially acquitted by the military tribunal of the Siberian military district. His wife Gulsim and children – Zaira, Narmanbet, and Saule survived all the hardships of totalitarianism, growing up in difficult conditions.

Gulsim Zhamikyzy in 1959-1964, with the support of such personalities as M. Auezov, K. Satbaev, S. Mukanov, A. Margulan, in 1965, with difficulty publishes the book of his spouse “Altyn Sakina”. Thanks to this struggle, she gets a small apartment in a house specially built for writers, and thus continues the path for descendants seeking knowledge in Omsk and Almaty.

Merits

In 1924, his study “Kazak tarikhynan” (“From the History of the Kazakhs”) was published. In 1925, his scientific work “Buryngy ezilgen ulttar” (“Early Oppressed Peoples”) and “Kazakh-Russian Phrasebook” were published. While in Tashkent, Koshke wrote the “Study Guide for Europeans” in Kazakh, consisting of two books. Its first part was published in 1928 in Tashkent, the second – in 1929 in Kyzylorda. The list of scientific works of K. Kemenger-uly also includes “Grammar of the Kazakh language”, published in Russian in 1927 and compiled by G.V. Arkhangelsky.

Koshke wrote several works in Tashkent such as “Otarshyldyk uskyndary” (The Forerunners of Colonialism), “Kandy tolkyn” (Bloody wave), “Momyntai”, “Erlik jurekte” (Courage in the heart), “Qazaq ayelderi” (Kazakh women), “Jetim kyz” (Orphan girl), “Duria”, “Naziha”. In addition, specializing in the field of veterinary medicine, he wrote articles on natural sciences and agricultural sciences, and translated the textbook “Chemistry”.

On January 13, 1926, in the new capital, Kyzylorda, the State National Theater first opened its curtain with the play by K. Kemenger-uly “Altyn Sakina” (The Golden Ring). This production had a positive effect on the playwright, and in 1923 he wrote and presented to the viewer the play “Parashyldar” (The corrupted), and in 1927 – “Eski oku” (The Old Doctrine), in 1930 – “Kunasiz kuigender” (Innocent victims). In Tashkent, he proved himself as a talented journalist: he collaborated with the “Ak Zhol” newspaper and the “Sana” magazine. The Turkestani period of Koshke coincided with a wide discussion of the famous “Alka” program. This program was in tune with Koshke’s artistic, literary activities.

Memory

R. Rustembekova was the first to write an article at the dawn of Independence, in 1988 about Koshmuhambet Kemengerov as a figure and writer. Then, D. Kamzabek-uly, M. Musagitov, I. Kurmangaliev, G. Ordaeva, O. Zhubaeva, A. Shormakova and others conducted their research in various directions. The legacy of Alash figures has been published several times since 1995. D. Kamzabek-uly and O. Zhubaeva published an academic three-volume work in the publishing house “Alash”.

In independent Kazakhstan, the name of K. Kemenger-uly is given to a secondary school, streets and avenues. His name and works are included in encyclopedias and reference books.

References:

1. Omsk Regional State Archive. Col. 14, inv. 2, case 332, p. 11.

2. Nuraly-tegi K. Saduakas Shormanov / Newspaper «Daua». – 1993. – №2.

3. Omsk Regional State Archive, Col. 65, inv. 1, case 36, p. 65.

4. Omsk Regional State Archive, Col. 65, inv. 1, case 36, p. 96.

5. Omsk Regional State Archive, Col. 14, inv. 2, case 332, p. 19-20.

6. Kemenger-uly K. Qazaq tarihynan [From the History of the Kazakhs]. Moscow, 1924.

7. Omsk Regional State Archive, Col. 65, inv. 1, case 70, folder 7, p.

145.

8. Seyfullin S. Tar jol, taigak keshu – Almaty, 1960. – 61 p.

9. Same source, P. 241.

10. Omsk Regional State Archive, Col. 14, inv. 2, case 332, p. 19.