Cultural Adaptation of Kazakh Oral Traditions in Diaspora: A Comparative Analysis Across Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
Cultural Adaptation of Kazakh Oral Traditions in Diaspora: A Comparative Analysis Across Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China

Summary/Abstract: Oral traditions play a crucial role in maintaining cultural identity and conveying historical memory, particularly within diasporic populations encountering international pressures. This research aims to indicate the parallels and contrasts in the oral traditions of Turkic-Mongolian ethnic groups, specifically examining Kazakh narratives and their evolution resulting from migration and cultural interaction. The study analyses myths, legends and epics using comparative historical, content, intertextual and genealogical methodologies to track alterations across various cultural settings. The findings indicate that Kazakh oral traditions maintained among diaspora populations preserve ancient aspects while incorporating new themes shaped by local cultures. In Mongolia, Kazakh oral heritage integrates shamanic and Buddhist components, but in Uzbekistan, Islamic themes transform conventional storytelling. Kazakh stories in Kyrgyzstan demonstrate significant intertextual connections with the Manas epic, highlighting themes of communal identity and struggle. In China, cosmogonic narratives concerning natural spirits and sacred sites demonstrate the impact of agricultural and religious traditions, resulting in modifications in their structure and themes. Despite these changes, these oral traditions remain essential tools for cultural transmission and identity maintenance. These findings enhance comprehension of how folklore evolves through migration and intercultural contact, offering insights into cultural resilience within diasporic contexts.

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