GDC Part 2, Week 4 : EAOT "Shezhire"(Family Tree)
- Kali
- Feb 6, 2021
- 4 min read
How well do you know your family history? And what is the Family Tree?
Today I want to tell you what Shezhire (Family Tree) is. The text that I wrote by myself for EAOT Book, based on historical factors and on my personal experience of Kazakh traditions. (As I am a Kazakh)
1. Shezhire and its meaning
The term ‘shezhire’ is taken from the Arab word meaning ‘the tree’ after Islam was adopted in the Steppe. It is synonymous with ‘jety-ata’ (seven forefathers). In the Kazakh genealogical tree there is such a concept as "Seven Forefathers" - which means seven generations before us that we should know and honor.
Genealogical tree of the Kazakh family, which should be significant for the family along the line of its male ancestors. Sometimes the most famous women are included in these records.
Shezhire is important to Kazakhs in the reconstruction of history.
2. Why does it important?
Every Kazakh should know his kinship and be able to trace his ancestry. This is usually 7 generations. People should know who they are and where their family and roots came from. The Kazakhs' knowledge of their origin allows them to avoid closely related marriages. The meaning of Shezhire carries the essence of respect and gratitude for life.
3. Historical facts
Kazakh Shezhire in full composition includes not only a list of generations of ancestors, but also knowledge of character traits, their participation in the life of the people. In this way, the collective memory of major events in history was woven into the genealogies. This is the reason why it is often called oral steppe historiography. It began in medieval practice, when the history of the Turks of Central Asia, basically, was formalized in the form of genealogies, most often genealogies of the ruling dynasties.
4. Shezhire in Kazakhstan
Modern Shezhire can be absolutely diverse. These can be notes in a notebook, it can be the remaining photographs of ancestors. The main thing is to remember them and commemorate them every Friday at the family table.
If we take my family as an example, we could not preserve all 7 generations. But my father was able to restore photographs and memories of five generations of our tribe. Shezhire usually consists of men and continues through the male line. But in our family there are more women, very strong-willed. Many of them remained widows, during the war they had to take responsibility for all children and get them on feet. Therefore, our Shezhire is different from others. On the left side there is my mom's generation, and on the right is my dad's. At the top of Shezhire, my sister and I, who will continue Shezhire.
5. Formulation of Juzes
Juzes appeared among Kazakhs in the 17th century, most likely in the second half. At the same time, their appearance is not recorded in written documents. The definite creation of the Juzes remains unknown.
For nomadic societies, this hierarchy of relationships was unusual. Often the tribes were divided into wings - right and left. In the Golden Horde, there was also a division into two wings - left and right. It is possible to enumerate for a long time the structural features of the organization of nomadic societies, but in the end, the formation of Juzes took place. It is a known fact: in the history of nomads, Juzes are found only among Kazakhs.
6. Three Juzes
Three Juzes :
Uly Juz - Elder Juz - Southern and Easten Regions of Kazakhstan
Orta Juz - Middle Juz - Central Kazakhstan
Kishi Juz - Younger Juz - Western Region of Kazakhstan
7. List of Juzes
In translation from Arabic "Zhuz" - is a branch.
Juzes are divided into TRIBES that were on the territory of Kazakhstan.
Uly Juz :
Alban - 81k peopole
Zhalayir - 101k p.
Dulat - 334k p.
Oshakty - 70k p.
Sary-Uysun - 10k p.
Siregely - 70k p.
Suan - 40k p.
Shanyshkyly - 190k p.
Kanly - Unknown
Shapyrashty - 70k p.
Ysty - 50k p.
Orta Juz :
Argyn - 509k p.
Kerey - 90k p.
Konyrat - 128k p.
Kypshak - 169k p.
Nayman - 395k p.
Uak - Unknown
Kishi Juz :
Alimuly - 340k people including -
Shekty - 80k p.,
Shomekey - 100k p.,
Tortkara - 60k p.
Kete - 60k p.
Karakesek - 25k p.
Karasakal - 15k p.
Bayuly - 550k people including -
Aday - 90k p.,
Baybakty - 40k p.,
Bersh - 70k p.,
Taz - 30k p.,
Sherkesh - 40k p.,
Maskar - 20k p.,
Tana - 25k p.,
Kyzylkurt - 40k p.,
Altyn - 25k p.,
Zhappas - 70k p.,
Ysyk - 20k p.,
Esentemir - 20k p.,
Alasha - 60k p.
Zhetyru - 300k people including -
Tabyn - 80k p.,
Zhagalbayly - 70k p.,
Kereyt - 35k p.,
Tama - 70k p.,
Teleu - 20k p.,
Kerderi - 20k p.,
Ramadan - 5k p.
Uly Juz (Elder Juz)
Tole Biy Khan
Orta Juz (Middle Juz)
Kazybek Biy Khan
Kishi Juz (Younger Juz)
Aiteke Biy Khan
8. "Zhety Ata" (Seven Grandfathers)
"Zheti ata" - chains of seven ancestors, one of the main competencies that a child learns in a nomadic society in early childhood. Generic origin is the main element of a person's self-presentation in traditional society.
The genealogies included seven or ten generations of ancestors (zheti ata), but even more were rooted in legendary antiquity.
The meaning of Shezhire is traced back to Adam and Eve
("Adam Ata", "Haua Ana" - Father Adam, Mother Eve, Kazakhs say).
Therefore, the generalization of generic information is considered more widely as a special function. It is not only social and cultural capital in traditional Kazakh society.
SHEZHIRE
(Last page is coming soon)
References :
Zeena URYNBASSAROVA (2012), Shezhire: Kazakh Family Tree.
Yessenova S. (2005), "Routes and Roots" of Kazakh Identity: Urban Migration in Postsocialist Kazakhstan
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3664230?seq=1
Kulsariyeva A. (2013), Features of Translation of Kazakh and English Set Expressions and Idioms with Numerative Seven
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