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Contemporary Kazakh clans
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The meaning and origins of the Jüz formations have been subject to different interpretations. Some researchers argued that originally juz corresponded to tribal, military alliances of steppe nomads that emerged around mid-16th century after the disintegration of the Kazakh Khanate. Others proposed that juz are geographical ecological zones separated by natural boundaries. Nomads adopted to these geographical zones and developed nomadic migration routes within the natural boundaries. According to Kazakh legends the three juz originated from the children and grandchildren of the three sons of the mythical forefather of Kazakhs. Another version of the legend asserts that the three juz were the territorial inheritances of the three sons of the mythical founder father. In Kazakh language juz means hundred or face, in Arabic juz refers to section, division.
Historically, the Great juz (Kazakh: Ұлы жүз, Ulı Juz; Russian: Старший Жуз), or the Great Horde, nomads inhabited the northern lands of the former Chagatai Ulus of the Mongol Empire, in the Ili River and Chu River basins, in today's South-Eastern Kazakhstan and China's Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (northern Xinjiang). Ulu Juz was also called Uysun Orda. Ulu Juz nomads were known for their skills in cattle-breeding and animal husbandry.
The Middle juz (Kazakh: Орта жүз, Orta Jüz; Russian: Средний Жуз), or the Middle Horde, nomads nomadized in the eastern lands of the former Juchi Ulus, in Central, Northern, and Eastern Kazakhstan. Orta Juz was also known as Argyn Orda. Many of Kazakhstan's famous poets and intellectuals, including Abai Kunanbai, Akhmet Baitursunov, Chokan Valikhanov, Alikhan Bokeikhanov were born in Orta Juz territories. The Junior juz (Kazakh: Кiшi жүз, Kişi Jüz; Russian: Младший Жуз), or the Lesser Horde, nomads occupied the lands of the former Nogai Khanate in Western Kazakhstan. Kishi Juz was also called Alshin Orda. They were known for their fierce warriors. ach Horde or Jüz contains a number of clans (ry) which share a presumed geneaology of forefathers going back to the presumed ancestor. Each clan is divided into smaller groups down to the smallest lineage. As Kazaks practice exogamy, each individual is expected to know his ancestors up to the seventh forefather (Byr Ata). Marriage within Byr Ata was considered to be incest taboo.
Great (or Senior) Juz
There have been several attempts to determine the exact names and nature of top level clans throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, different studies created vastly different names and population numbers for the steppe clans. Although disputed, generally accepted names of the first order Ulu Juz clans, or Uisun clans are:
- Zhalayr 100-110,000
- Alban 100,000
- Dulat 250,000
- Sary-Uisyn 10,000
- Sergeli 40,000
- Shaprashty 50-60,000
- Suan 30,000
- Oshaqty 20,000
- Ysty 40-45,000
- Qangly and Shanyshqyly 50,000
Middle Juz
- Argyn 500,000
- Kerei 100-110,000
- Naiman 400,000
- Qonyrat 40-45,000 in Kazakhstan, and more than 100,000 in Central Asia
- Qypchak 140-150,000
- Uaq 55-60,000
- Taraqty 10,000
Little Jüz
The Little (or Junior) Jüz (or Alshin) consists of three groups:
Baiuly: 540-550,000
- Adai 80-90,000
- Alasha 40,000
- Altyn 30,000
- Baibaqty 40,000
- Berish 40,000
- Esentemir 20,000
- Masqar 20,000
- Qyzylqurt 40,000
- Sherkesh 45,000
- Shyqlar 70,000
- Tana 25,000
- Taz 20,000
- Ysyq 20,000
- Zhappas 50,000
Alimuly: 270-315,000+
Zhetyru: 265-275,000
- Kerderi 20,000
- Kereit 30-35,000
- Ramadan 5,000
- Tabyn 80,000
- Tama 40-45,000
- Toleu 20,000
- Zhagabaily 70,000
See also
- Қазақтар (этногенез) (Kazakhs (ethnogenesis)) in Kazakh Wikipedia.
References
- Svat Soucek, "A History of Inner Asia". Cambridge University Press (2000). ISBN 0521657040.
- Genealogy of the Kazakhs (Kazakh) (Russian)
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