Defense of the dissertation of Kapuly Dauletkerei for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the specialty «6D021400 - Әдебиеттану»
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, a dissertation defense for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Kapuly Dauletkerei on the topic ««The Literary legacy of Akyt Ulmzhiuly» » by specialty «6D021400 – Әдебиеттану».
The dissertation was carried out at the «Kazakh Literature education department» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
The language of defense is kazakh
Official reviewers:
– Yerembekov Bauyrzhan Amangeldiuly – Doctor of Philology, Professor, Head of the Department of Education of the Abai region (Semey, Kazakhstan);
– Kalieva Almira Kairytaevna – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Deputy Director General for Research, M.O.Auezov Institute of Literature and Art (Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan).
Temporary members of the Dissertation Council:
– Metin Ekici – PhD, Professor at the Institute of Turkic World Studies, Ege University (Izmir, Turkey).
– Smagulov Zhandos Kozhakhmetuly – Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor of the Department of Kazakh Literature at the Academician E.A.Buketov Karaganda National Research University (Karaganda, Kazakhstan).
– Daurenbekova Laura Nugaibekovna – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Kazakh Language and Literature, A.K.Kusainov Eurasian Humanities Institute (Astana, Kazakhstan);
Scientific advisors:
– Seiit Askarovich Kaskabasov – Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor of the Department of Kazakh Literature at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana, Kazakhstan).
– Huang Rongxiang – Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor at the Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing, PRC).
The defense will take place on April 04, 2026, at 03:00 PM in the Dissertation Council for the training direction «8D023 – Languages and literature» in the specialty «6D021400 – Әдебиеттану» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The defense meeting is planned to be held online.
Link: https://clc.li/thCys
Address: Астана қ., Қ. Сәтбаев көшесі, 2, оқу-әкімшілік ғимарат, № 302 ауд.
Abstract (English): The dissertation of Kapuly Dәuletkerey entitled «The Literary legacy of Akyt Ulmzhiuly» submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the specialty 6D021400 – Literary Studies. ABSTRACT Relevance of the Research. It is impossible to consider the artistic-aesthetic, thematic, and ideological development system of deeply rooted Kazakh literature separately from the diverse periods in the ancestral history of the nation. There are still many scholarly issues that need to be addressed in studying the complex eras filled with struggle on our nation’s path to independence from the perspective of the shared aspirations and goals of a unified Kazakh world seeking freedom. In preserving the political freedom and spiritual unity of Kazakhs living abroad, national verbal art has continuously fulfilled the artistic function entrusted to it. As a driving force of national consciousness and memory, Kazakh literature has never deviated from its artistic mission of preserving and consolidating Kazakh identity throughout the world. The main feature of Kazakh verbal art lies in its patriotic power to glorify the national qualities, harmony, and unity of compatriots living both in the historical homeland and outside it. The pressure of Soviet policy hindered scholarly research aimed at comprehensively studying the main characteristics of national literature in connection with issues of statehood and historical continuity, and at fully introducing them into spiritual circulation through the continuity of artistic tradition. The Soviet ideology, which ruthlessly suppressed national movements and liberation struggles, viewed with suspicion the common spiritual values of the Kazakh people in China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Turkey, and sought to prevent their connection with the ancestral historical homeland. Fearing the spiritual revival of a unified Kazakh world, it did not allow the recognition and promotion in Kazakhstan of the literary heritage of our compatriots abroad. As a result, whether Kazakh irredentists or the Kazakh diaspora, the creative works and artistic legacies of many outstanding poets and writers remained outside the mainstream, led an isolated existence, and were left beyond scholarly research. In his Address to the People of Kazakhstan on 2 September 2024, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, emphasized the importance of national culture and stated the need for its renewal and development. In this direction, revising state cultural policy, supporting cultural projects, and promoting national values were identified as important tasks [1]. It is impossible for the invaluable heritage of our compatriots abroad to remain outside these spiritual processes. The national idea and national identity of the Kazakh people represent a complex phenomenon deeply rooted in the spiritual world of Kazakhs living abroad. Therefore, studying and recognizing the creative work and literary heritage of prominent figures of Kazakh literature and culture abroad is of great importance. One such outstanding figure is the poet Akyt Ulmzhiuly. Due to historical circumstances of that period, the poet alternately lived in the Xinjiang region of China and the Bayan-Ölgii region of Mongolia. His works reflect the spirit of freedom-seeking, everyday life, faith, religion, condition, nature, customs, and worldview of the Kazakh people living in these two regions. The contribution of Akyt Ulmzhiuly’s works to the study and comprehensive understanding of Kazakh traditions, literature, culture, religion, history, philosophy, and psychology of the late nineteenth century and the first quarter of the twentieth century is particularly significant. Along with traditional Kazakh verbal art, Akyt Ulmzhiuly drew inspiration from the profound ideas of Abai and Alash-oriented literature aimed at awakening the nation and strengthening national consciousness. He was a public figure who supported the struggle of Kazakhs in China for freedom. His entire conscious life and creative work are closely intertwined with the vital and enduring issues of his nation. Having been closely familiar with social life and societal conditions from a young age, the poet regarded portraying his people’s struggle for freedom as his civic duty. In Kazakh history, the events known as the “East Turkestan National Liberation Uprising”—the mobilization of Kazakhs in the Altai region of China to defend their ancestral lands and resist colonial powers—were actions born of ancestral heroism, where forefathers sacrificed their lives for even a small piece of land [2]. Serving national interests, the poet, educator, and religious scholar Akyt Ulmzhiuly was persecuted and imprisoned in Ürümqi. On 24 December 1939, activists of Sheng Shicai in Köktoğay arrested the poet and confiscated all his books and manuscripts. Akyt’s famous Akmeshit, which had been a spiritual center of the Altai region, was destroyed, and its entire library was burned. Alarmed by the liberational spirit of his poems, the oppressive authorities ultimately eliminated him. The historical poem “Qan Keshu” (“Bloodshed”), included in the collection Narratives and Epics of the Buryltogai District (1992), realistically depicts the situation of the period when Akyt was arrested. Therefore, promoting, studying, and examining in Kazakhstan the poet’s legacy that depicts the struggle for freedom and the preservation of national values among our compatriots abroad is a relevant topic. Although literary, historical, and ethnographic articles and works on Akyt Ulmzhiuly’s творчество have been written by foreign and domestic literary scholars and writers, Akyt’s heritage has not been taken as a special object of research. The works of literary scholars and ethnographers B. Bopaiuly, Z. Seitjanuly, Q. Mukhamadiuly, R. Aidarkhanuly, Q. Zhanabiluly, G. Akytuly, and G. Omarova are valuable contributions to Akyt studies. However, the relevance of systematizing these scholarly pursuits and developing them further through new analyses and academic evaluations has not diminished. In this regard, the fact that the literary heritage of Akyt Ulmzhiuly is being taken as the subject of a doctoral dissertation for the first time demonstrates the topicality of the research and its compliance with the current demands of national literary studies. Purpose of the Research. The purpose of the research is to examine the significance of the creative work of Akyt Ulmzhiuly, the spiritual leader of Kazakh literature abroad, in the artistic development of national verbal art, as well as to analyze the thematic-ideological and genre characteristics of his poetry. The study also aims to identify the formation paths of his creative personality in laying the foundations of Kazakh literature in Mongolia and China, and to analyze the importance of his poetry in glorifying national unity and state independence. To achieve this purpose, the following objectives are set: – to examine the life stages of Akyt Ulmzhiuly, a spiritual leader of Kazakhs in Mongolia and China and one of the founders of Kazakh written literature abroad, and to clarify and systematize data related to his year and month of birth; – to systematically consider the study, collection, and publication paths of the literary heritage of a figure who was among the first Kazakh word masters to publish books; – to analyze the scholarly and literary-cognitive research characteristic of the formation of Akyt studies, and to assess the current directions of research in the study of the poet’s legacy; – to examine the distinctive features of the formation of his creative and civic personality, and to study the spiritual and socio-political issues that influenced the maturation of his poetic worldview; – to analyze the thematic-ideological system and artistic-aesthetic core of his creative pursuits in connection with the development of national literature and literary trends of the period; – to determine the genre system of his poems and songs, and to examine works based on new themes and original ideas; – to determine the value of his narrative poems (qissa-dastans) in humanizing society and spiritually perfecting individuals, from the perspective of their contribution to the development of the epic genre in Kazakh literature in China and Mongolia; – to conduct literary analyses of his poetic distinctiveness and individual style in expressing the national idea; – to analyze the textology of the poet’s works and to conduct textual analyses of poems of a folk-oriented character; – to formulate conclusions on the past and present position of the poet’s legacy, which glorifies the idea of a unified Kazakh nation, in recognizing spiritual values abroad. Object of the Research. The object of the research is the literary heritage of Akyt Ulmzhiuly, a leading figure of Kazakh literature abroad and an educational public figure, as well as his creative influence on the artistic development of Kazakh poetry. Subject of the Research. The subject of the research is the literary heritage of Akyt Ulmzhiuly and the historical continuity of the succession of traditions in the development of Kazakh poetry. Chronological Scope of the Research. The chronological scope of the research covers the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the 1940s of the twentieth century. Research Methods.The research employs comparative textual analysis, structural analysis, and systematization methods, as well as historical-typological, historical-genetic, and literary-historical methods. Source Base of the Research. The source base of the dissertation includes the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the “Otyrar” Library of L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, the library of the Turkic Academy, the manuscript collection of the M. O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, as well as libraries and archives in Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ölgii (Mongolia). In addition, domestic and foreign internet resources, scientific databases, and, through them, international academic publications and electronic libraries were used. As primary sources of the research, Akyt publications prepared by literary scholar Q. Qaliasqaruly and poet K. Zhanzhunguly were used, along with the work Akyt Aqiqaty by literary scholar and ethnographer B. Bopaiuly from China, and the collection titled The Patriotic Enlightener – Akyt, which brings together articles by researchers led by Q. Zhanabiluly. In addition, the book Akyt Akyn by Doctor of Philology, Professor Z. Seitjanuly; the work Akyt Ulmzhiuly, published in China as part of the series Famous People in Kazakh History by Gazez Akytuly; the revised and annotated edition of this work prepared for publication in Almaty (“Musylman Publishing House”) by Akyt heritage researcher G. Omarova; the book Akyt Studies, compiled by our compatriot from China R. Aidarkhanuly and published by the Ili People’s Publishing House; the book Akyt Ulmzhiuly Qarymsaqov Altayskiy by Q. Mukhamadiuly, published by the Institute for International Relations Studies of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences; and the works of Bayan-Ölgii Akyt scholars, including the well-known writer and veteran journalist B. Toqanuly, were taken as the research foundation. Data and analyses related to the life and creative work of Akyt Qazhy Ulmzhiuly found in the works of N. Mynzhani, O. Egeubaev, Zh. Samituly, G. Akytuly, Q. Qaliasqaruly, K. Zhangzhunguly, T. Kakishuly, T. Zhurtbay, N. Qazybekov, Z. Seitjanuly, and D. Masimkhanuly—who have examined the spiritual world of Kazakhs abroad from various perspectives—were also utilized. Scientific Novelty of the Research. For the first time, the creative work and poetry of Akyt Qazhy Ulmzhiuly, a prominent figure of Kazakh literature abroad, have been taken as the subject of a doctoral dissertation and examined in terms of their significance within the spiritual space of the unified Kazakh world. The results of the research make it possible to supplement the poet’s biography with new data and to analyze his literary heritage more deeply in terms of its value in preserving the national idea and national identity. The poet’s works, previously examined mainly within the framework of ethnography, cultural studies, and ethnonational studies, were analyzed in continuity with the artistic development of Kazakh poetry: 1. It was concluded that Akyt Ulmzhiuly is a unique creative figure whose poetry exerted a significant influence on the artistic development of Kazakh literature abroad and whose thematic orientation is deeply rooted in the national idea. 2. The poet’s biography was reconsidered from a new perspective, and it was clarified that he was born in November 1868. 3. It was substantiated with reliable evidence that Akyt Ulmzhiuly was one of the founders of Kazakh written literature and the first among Kazakh word masters to publish books. 4. His leadership role in the development of Kazakh written literature in China and Mongolia was analyzed on the basis of his artistic works. 5. It was evaluated that, alongside traditional Kazakh verbal art, the poet drew inspiration from Eastern classical literature and, through the nazira tradition, instilled religious and moral values in his compatriots. 6. The influence of his educational activities on awakening the consciousness of Kazakhs abroad and encouraging them to pursue knowledge and education was assessed. 7. His qissa-dastans were examined in terms of their value for spiritual development and their creative contribution to the development of the epic genre in Kazakh literature in China and Mongolia; it was established that he authored the first verse novels in Kazakh literature, Kerey Ishany Mukhamet Mumin (1903) and Qazhıbayan (1908). 8. It was demonstrated that this innovative figure opened a religious school and served as a mullah in the Deluun district of Bayan-Ölgii, and that he was among the first poets among Mongolian Kazakhs to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca; it was also substantiated that following this pilgrimage, the first qissa-dastan in Kazakh literature, Qazhıbayan, was written. 9. It was determined that in his works, along with traditional folk literary forms such as qissa, dastan, nazym, song, and tolghau, the genre and artistic-aesthetic system of realistic poetry developed in an integrated manner. 10. It was examined that the poet’s “didactic reflections” resonate with Abai’s poems such as “We Have Grown Old, We Thought of Sorrow, Sleep Is Alert,” “What Does a Falcon Not Take When Trained Well,” “My Vast Country, My Kazakh People, My Dear Nation,” “I Have Grown Weary of Both Friend and Foe,” “Young Men, Play Is Cheap, Laughter Is Precious,” “Impatient, Shameless, Lazy,” “Your Ruler Is Pleased,” “Swaying Body,” and others. 11. It was proven that he was a public figure and a fighting poet who upheld the idea of a unified Kazakh nation through the artistic concept “If You Think of the Great Statehood” and called his people to this ideal. 12. The life and creative work of Akyt Qazhy Ulmzhiuly—a religious scholar and enlightener poet of the Kazakh people, whose approximately ten books were published in Kazan from the late nineteenth century onward—were comprehensively analyzed, and it was concluded that he was a leading figure of Kazakh written literature in China and Mongolia. His prominent place in the history of Kazakhs abroad, his complex fate, and his distinguished position in Kazakh literature were examined. The life data and publications of Akyt Ulmzhiuly’s works have not previously been the subject of a precise, comprehensive scholarly study. This dissertation is the first to take the life and creative legacy of this prominent figure of Kazakh literature abroad as its research object. Theoretical and Applied Significance of the Research. The main conclusions of the research can serve as a theoretical reference for future scholarly studies. In addition, the research results are useful from a factual perspective for studies in biographical research. The study has applied significance in teaching specialized courses on Kazakh literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Kazakh literature abroad, and the literature of world peoples at higher education institutions, as well as in the development of teaching-methodological complexes. The results of the research can be used not only by literary scholars and scientists but also in the general field of education. In higher education institutions in Kazakhstan, the theoretical and applied significance of this research is especially relevant in teaching specialized courses on Kazakh literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Kazakh literature abroad, and the literature of world peoples, as well as in developing teaching-methodological materials. These studies allow for demonstrating the significance of the creative work and activities of historical figures such as Akyt Ulmzhiuly, and also open the way to determining the place and influence of his works in the context of world literature. For researchers, this work is also of great factual importance. Collecting information and data regarding the poet’s works and biography and introducing them into academic circulation makes it possible to form a comprehensive system of Kazakh literary studies. Studying his works, life path, and poetic heritage will be relevant not only for literary researchers but also for cultural scholars and historians more broadly. Further development of these studies, opening new perspectives and fresh research on the creative work of Akyt Ulmzhiuly, will undoubtedly remain an important direction in science. Proposed Conclusions for Defense 1.Akyt Qazhy Ulmzhiuly is a founding poet of Kazakh written literature among the Kazakhs of China and Mongolia. 2. In poems such as “On Knowledge and Culture,” “On Labor and Art,” “My Propagation to All of You,” “Science – Light, Illumination”, he called his people to read and develop through the path of art and knowledge, functioning as an enlightener poet. 3. He opened a religious school and served as a mullah in the Deluun district of Bayan-Ölgii, and was among the first poets among Mongolian Kazakhs to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca to fulfill one of the five obligations of a Muslim; he is the author of Qazhıbayan, the first qissa-dastan written after the pilgrimage in Kazakh literature. 4. Akyt Qazhy Ulmzhiuly was a patriotic poet in Kazakh literature abroad, glorifying national freedom and unity. 5. He contributed to the development of the epic genre in Kazakh literature in China and Mongolia and wrote historical poems reflecting the realities of difficult periods in Kazakh history, including “Kobda Council” and “Zhanibek Batyr”. 6. As a spiritual leader, he guided his nation in religious and moral values through his qissa-dastans and didactic poems, and developed the nazira tradition through qissa-dastans based on religious legends. 7. Mastering Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, he was among the first Kazakh word masters to publish books. 8. In his creativity, the genre and artistic-aesthetic system of realistic poetry developed in combination with traditional literary forms such as qissa, dastan, nazym, song, and tolghau. 9. He is an innovative figure who authored the first verse novels in Kazakh literature, Kerey Ishany Mukhamet Mumin (1903) and Qazhıbayan (1908). 10. In his poetry, he turned the “Altai” archetype—a sacred and revered concept for the Kazakhs of Xinjiang—into an ideological guiding star representing the national (pan-Kazakh) aspirations and interests. 11. In the poems “Let Me Speak of the Era” and the tolghau “Time of Suffering”, he immersed himself in the complex conditions of the period. He realistically depicted the fate of the nation under the pressure of large states: “The West is surrounded by Russians, Outside is a shield – a trap at the top. The homeland of Akyt is the high peak of Altai. All around is surrounded, What is your fate, my Kazakhs, Will the Alash fortress collapse?” He sought a way out by saying “Let us find the language of the era”. He predicted the course of the future with lines: “Russian and Shurchit are clashing, Each against the other. What will be the result, Who will you follow?” 12. He followed the tradition of Abai and wrote the collection “Didactic Reflections”. 13. He participated in the trends of the Awakening era literature at the beginning of the twentieth century, showing a passionate spirit in lines such as “Awakened, sharpening teeth, the Chinese stand, Boasting of our strength…”, instilling the idea of nationhood into national consciousness and becoming a herald of the idea of freedom. Akyt Ulmzhiuly’s creative work is distinguished by the breadth of its thematic range. He is a courageous poet who glorified the national idea of the Alash children in Mongolia and China. His poetry is remarkable for combining traditional literary genres with the realistic methods of classical verbal art. The publications prepared within the framework of the dissertation are as follows: Опубликовано в журнале, включённом в базу данных Scopus, с импакт-фактором 1 (один). 1. Akhit Ülimjioğlu'nun eserleri ve edebî folkloristik entegrasyon. Yıl 2025, Sayı: 114, 455 - 466, 22.06.2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60163/tkhcbva.1483722 In a scientific journal recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan 1. Akyt, the Poet – Interpreter of Abai’s Poetry // Science and Life of Kazakhstan. International Scientific Journal. – 2020. – No. 8. – P. 187–194. (ISSN 2073-333X). 2. The Creativity of Akyt Ulmzhiuly and Literary-Folklore Integration // Bulletin of the Eurasian Humanitarian Institute. – 2023. – No. 1. – P. 214–226. ISSN 2957-5095. 3. Folklore Genre and Text Modification // Bulletin of L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. – 2025. – No. 3. – P. 148–158. https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-678X-2025-152-3-248-258
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