Religious beliefs in the kazakh steppe during the late middle ages: a brief survey through the eyes of contemporary researchers and travelers

Abstract

This paper examines the religious beliefs and practices of the Kazakhs in the steppe during the late Middle Ages, highlighting the interplay between Islam and pre-Islamic Tengriist traditions. Drawing on archival sources, travel accounts, and ethnographic studies from the 19th and early 20th centuries, the study demonstrates that Kazakh religiosity was characterized by a syncretic form known as “folk Islam” or everyday Islam. While the Kazakhs formally adopted Islamic practices, these were often integrated with indigenous rituals, cosmological observations, and nomadic lifestyle requirements. The research explores the role of ritual purification, amulets, sacrificial practices, and celestial observations in regulating both spiritual and practical aspects of daily life. The study argues that Kazakh religious culture reflects a unique adaptation of Islam to local traditions, illustrating the broader dynamics of syncretism and resilience in nomadic societies.