Internal methodological seminars
The results
of scientific and methodological seminars held
at the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov in 2022
In accordance with the approved plan, in 2022, the Department of Historiography, Source Studies and Modern Methodology organized and conducted a scientific and methodological seminar in each quarter.
I. On February 24, 2022, the Republican scientific and methodological seminar on the topic “Methodological foundations of the analysis of genealogical data and the tribal system in the study of the ethnogenesis of the Kazakh people” was held offline and online on the ZOOM platform. The seminar was attended by Russian historians, scientists of research institutes, doctoral students, young scientists, representatives of the media.
The purpose of the scientific and methodological seminar is to discuss the features and methodology of using oral history data, including genealogy, as a source for studying the origin of the Kazakh people.
The scientific and methodological seminar was opened with a greeting from the Director of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Z. E. Kabuldinov. He noted that the issues discussed at the scientific and methodological seminar are of great importance in the implementation of projects at the Institute – “Development of a Brief history of Kazakhstan for a foreign audience” and “Development of an academic publication “History of Kazakhstan from ancient times to the present day” in seven volumes.”
During the scientific and methodological seminar, the chief researcher of our Institute, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor O.H. Mukhatova made a report on the topic “Genealogy as a source of research on the origin of the Kazakh people”. Professor O.H. Mukhatova shared her scientific point of view that genealogy is a unique source of data for displaying ethnogenesis, ethnoculture, historical past, national priorities and social life of the people. She emphasized the need to take into account the presence of literary, folklore and historical features when analyzing genealogy as a historical source. As for the fact that genealogy data are postponed by categories of personalities, events, about space, time, then these sources should be previously analyzed from the historical point of view, since there are many genealogies, attention should be paid to their representativeness, which plays an important role in the study of this issue theory of civilizations; if we analyze them from the point of view of the narrative of oral history, then pay attention to the fact that a large place is also occupied by the phenomenological direction associated with the names of individual historical figures mentioned in genealogies. It is necessary to take into account the fact that oral histories were constantly supplemented and developed according to the principles of evolutionism and the method of updating memory. She expressed her scientific thoughts on the importance of an interdisciplinary direction in the system construction of the world.
The leading researcher of our Institute, Ph.D. in History ZH. Zhenis made a report “Political and spiritual aspects of Kazakh genealogy” and expressed his opinion about Kazakh genealogy, which occupies a unique place among other data in the study of the history of the Kazakh people. He also does not hide the fact that the reliability of data changing due to various political, social, spiritual and cultural reasons during the formation of the Kazakh nation is questionable, he also shared his thoughts that if we draw conclusions and conduct research on genealogy, it will give serious results. During the scientific and methodological seminar, the reports of the participants were actively discussed: orientalist, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Khafizova K. Sh. if more detailed studies were conducted on the basis of genealogy, data, historiography, then today it is nice to see that young people, especially those studying antiquity, the Middle Ages, master the Arabic alphabet, Latin graphics, she also I offered to collect data about our outstanding personalities and prove their life time based on improved meitodes. Professor of the Kazakh National Pedagogical Women’s University, Ph.D, K.N. Sarieva said that in order to promote literary, cultural, historical knowledge and discoveries for school teachers, the journal “Kazakh Language and Ethnology” will be published and called for cooperation in this publication; Doctor of Historical Sciences G. Zhugenbayeva shared her thoughts that genealogy has developed as a historical memory or historical passport of Eurasian nomads and has become the main the basis that defines the people themselves; chief researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, Candidate of historical science. A. Dauletkhan expressed the opinion that knowledge of the methodology of studying history is very important, only when using scientific methodology, research is carried out not only from the point of view of clan, but also from the point of view of statehood, the value of genealogy increases; Senior researcher of the “Center for Ethnocultural and Historical-Anthropological Research” of the E. A. Buketov KarSU, Ph.D., Associate Professor M.S. Zhakin made a co-report and presentation, and also offered to invite scientists-philosophers, culturologists, thinkers to such seminars; The head of the Department of History of ancient and Medieval Kazakhstan and Neighboring countries of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, Ph.D. A. K. Zhumadil proposed to abandon the Eurocentric approach to the study of Kazakh history, to consider the worldview, the positions of famous historical statesmen and note the importance of our ideological values in building statehood; researcher, Master of Humanities Ashim B. A. suggested that the data of epigraphic monuments can be used as genealogical data.
In addition, the presentation of the monograph by Zh. Zhenis “Turkic worldview and statehood: historical continuity and changes (VI-XIII centuries)” took place, the participants congratulated and expressed warm wishes to the author.
Following the results of the republican scientific seminar , the following resolution was adopted:
1. Discussion of the topic of genealogical research in other scientific centers, within universities during round tables;
2. Holding an international or republican scientific and practical conference for a broad discussion of this topic;
3. To involve undergraduates and doctoral students in the study of this issue;
4. Publication of research results on the topic of genealogical research in the scientific journal “Otan Tarikhy”, scientific electronic journal “e-edu-history.kz “.
Photo 1. Participants of the scientific and methodological seminar on February 24, 2022. The second speaker from the left is Candidate of historical science Zh. Zh. Zhenis.
II. On April 12, 2022, a methodological seminar was held on the topic “Practical principles of ethnographic research in Western socio-cultural anthropology”. The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the specifics of the principles of the methodology of ethnographic science, methods of conducting scientific research, processing and analyzing the data obtained, methods of representation, professional ethics, etc., recognized simultaneously in Western countries as a method, genre and discipline.
The work of the seminar was presented by the introductory speech of the Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs of the Institute, Ph.D. Sh. B. Tleubaev. The moderator of the event was the chief researcher of the Department of Historiography, Source Studies and Modern Methodology of the Institute, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Mukhatova O. Kh.
The speaker G. U. Orynbayeva stressed that one of the most important tasks of Kazakh science is its successful integration into the world space, stated that the socio-cultural empirical-theoretical scientific direction, widespread in Western countries, developed during the Soviet period and is an analogue of ethnology / ethnography in the CIS countries and is based on the method of field research. Ethnography in the Western sense is a subject and methodological orientation aimed at studying various social groups and subcultures, used in sociological research and aimed at using the problems of society using field methods.
In addition, the seminar considered the features of Western ethnography, its content and stages, methods and principles of research, approaches to the analysis of the data obtained, results. The importance of mastering the rules of conducting field research revealed the features of the method of obtaining information, as well as their importance in expanding the scope of application in the social sciences at the present time. Familiarity with the achievements of Western ethnography, its application in practice contributes to the development of domestic science, increases its competitiveness.
Photo 2. Participants of the scientific and methodological seminar on April 12, 2022
The seminar was attended by specialists, researchers, undergraduates and doctoral students in the field of ethnology, history, social and cultural anthropology and other social and humanitarian disciplines of the republic.
Doctor of historical science, Professor S. E. Azhigali spoke at the end of the seminar, noting that the report is devoted to a very relevant topic. In general, expressing his conclusions regarding the development of science, he shared his opinion that there are various schools studying sociology, such as the Soviet school and Western, American, European schools, including the Soviet school developed from folk studies, anthropology in the West developed in different ways. In this regard, the scientist noted that Asian ethnography had a colonial character, that is, imperial expeditions went in a military, colonial direction. At the same time, noting that Soviet ethnography developed methodologically fruitfully in its time, it is impossible to deny the achievements of the Soviet school, a number of outstanding researchers highlighted the scientific research of S. Tolstov, S. Ivanov, etc. In addition, based on his own experience, he brought proposals to the attention of modern researchers and put forward the need for young specialists, doctoral students engaged in research areas in this field.
The seminar was also attended by teachers of the Historical Faculty of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University: Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, K. B. Kalshabayeva, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A. B. Kalysh, leading scientific researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch.. Valikhanov, Candidate of historical science. Kaipbaeva T. B. asked the speaker questions and shared her thoughts.
At the end of the seminar, the participants made suggestions and expressed gratitude to the speaker.
Photo 3. Speaker of the scientific and methodological seminar on April 12, 2022 Ph.D. G. U. Orynbayeva
III. On June 10, 2022, a seminar was held on the topic: “Refugees in the Zhetysu region; history and methodological problems”. The purpose of the seminar is to review the history of refugees in Semirechye and a methodological approach to this issue.
The seminar opened with an introductory speech by the Director of the Institute, Doctor of Economics, Corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Z. E. Kabuldinov. The moderator of the event is the head researcher of the Department of Historiography, Source Studies and Modern Methodology of the Institute, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor O. H. Mukhatova.
Speaker Tleubaev Sh. B. – one of the most relevant topics in the history of Kazakhstan – refugees. Some aspects of the problem were reflected in the scientific literature only in the years of independence. However, there are unexplored aspects in the history of refugees in Semirechye that need to be taken into account. Methodological approaches to its study are one of the most difficult scientific problems. In this regard, the seminar will analyze an overview of the history of refugees in Semirechye during the colonial period of the Russian Empire and under Soviet rule (the second half of the XIX – early 30s of the XX century), similarities and common problems, features from new points of view based on newly introduced scientific data and materials.
An objective study of the causes, course and consequences of the invasion of Semirechye is important for the preparation of a multi-volume history of Kazakhstan. He noted that the definition of methodological directions for studying the past of refugees in Semirechye contributes to the development of national historical science.
The seminar was attended by leading scientists of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, researchers of the Institute, undergraduates and doctoral students.
The chief researcher of the Institute, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Professor Aldazhumanov K. S. spoke at the end of the seminar and shared his thoughts on the refugee problem. During his speech, he noted that while in the archives, he got acquainted with new and relevant documents related to refugees, and stressed the importance of this topic in the history of Kazakhstan.
Photo 4. The second speaker from the left of the scientific and methodological seminar on June 10, 2022, Ph.D. Sh.B. Tleubaev
At the same time, the seminar participants were teachers of KazNPU named after. Abay, Candidate of Historical Sciences: G. Menlibayev and E. Ermukanov. leading scientific researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, Candidate of Historical Sciences A. Kaipbaeva and others asked the speaker questions and shared their thoughts.
At the end of the seminar, the participants made suggestions and expressed gratitude to the speaker.
Photo 5. Participants of the scientific and methodological seminar on June 10, 2022
IV. On December 13, 2022, with the participation of members of the Council of “Young Scientists”, a Republican methodological seminar “Methods of using problematic historiography and comparative source studies in the study of Kazakh history” was held. Researchers – specialists, undergraduates and doctoral students in the field of ethnology, history, social and cultural anthropology and other social and humanitarian disciplines were invited to participate in the seminar, scientists took part in offline and online formats.
The final event of methodological seminars held since the beginning of 2022 under the leadership of the chief researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Mukhatova Orazgul Khasenovna, was dedicated to young scientists. The purpose of the seminar is to identify ways to use problematic historiography and comparative source studies in the study of Kazakh history in the own scientific research of young scientists.
The first speaker of the seminar – Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, doctoral student Malika Temirkhanovna Moryakova shared a scientific approach to the use of problematic historiography and the method of comparative source studies when studying the topic of the dissertation “Cultural traditions of Turkic-speaking nomads of Central Asia in Turkish historiography”.
The next speaker – researcher of the Institute Kuanysh Madievich Murzakhodzhaev spoke on the topic “Methods of using problematic historiography and comparative source studies in the study of Kazakh history (based on the dissertation “Cultural and educational activities of the Jadids in Kazakhstan (late XIX – early XX century)”.
Photo 6. Participants of the scientific and methodological seminar on December 13, 2022
He made a report on the problem of applying the methods of comparative source science and problem historiography, where he noted that there are many topical issues in the historical science of Kazakhstan that are still the subject of discussion between scientists. One of them is the Jadid movement on the territory of Kazakhstan. At the end of the XIX-XX centuries. The ideas and views of the Jadids began to penetrate into the Kazakh steppe. The founder of the movement was the Crimean Tatar Ismail Gasprinsky. The aim of the movement is to shed light on the medieval scholastic consciousness on the basis of a new system of education among the Turkic-Muslim peoples within the framework of Islam, reintegrate the population with the help of madrasah schools, increase the intellectual potential of society through newspapers, magazines and books, keep up with the global transition, make changes in the education system and carry out reforms. These actions were aimed primarily at awakening the consciousness of the sleeping masses. Published works on this topic are diverse. They should be divided into pre-revolutionary, Soviet and independence periods. During the discussion of the specifics of new methodological schools in the territory of Southern Kazakhstan, a great influence of Central Asian Islamic education was revealed, the Sufi direction had a great influence on Northwestern Kazakhstan, through Tatarstan.
The seminar was attended by the head of the Department of History of Kazakhstan of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor G.T. Musabalina, Chief Researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor A.I. Kudaibergenova, Deputy Director of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov, Ph.D. Tleubaev Sh.B., PhD Abikey A.M., doctoral student Oralova A.A., Master of History Burkhanov B.B., Master of History Bekenova A.A., Master of History Doskaraeva A.A., who asked questions, made suggestions. This event was summed up by the current opinion that currently scientists of our country are jointly writing a new textbook on source studies.
Photo 8. Second from left speaker of the scientific and methodological seminar on December 13, 2022 K.M. Murzakhodzhaev