Presentation of the “Collection of Ethnographic Expedition Materials”

On May 18, 2026, as part of the International Museum Day celebrations, the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore hosted the presentation of the “Collection of Ethnographic Expedition Materials.”

         During the event, Museum Director M. Kipiyev emphasized that the publication represents the outcome of ethnographic expeditions aimed at reviving the spiritual heritage of the people and introducing the region’s historical and cultural materials into scholarly circulation.

         The collection was prepared on the basis of expeditionary research conducted in 2023–2024. The research was dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the great Kazakh zhyrau Murat Monkeuly. During the expeditions, more than 60 settlements were visited, interviews were conducted with over 90 informants, and more than 180 museum artifacts were collected.

         The publication extensively covers topics including ethnography, folklore, toponymy, traditional economic practices, and the art of zhyrau performance.

         During the presentation, scholars and researchers who participated in the expeditions delivered speeches, highlighting the scientific and cultural significance of the publication. Among the speakers were Candidate of Historical Sciences K. Mukhitov, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Sh. Nagimov, Candidate of Historical Sciences S. Kuanysh, T. Zhanabay, a member of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, local historian N. Aknazarov, and T. Kalimova, a representative of the State Archives of the Atyrau Region.

         The ceremonial unveiling of the publication was carried out by Sh. Nagimov and N. Aknazarov. This collection is an important scholarly work aimed at systematizing Kazakhstan’s national heritage, conducting its academic study, and preserving it for future generations.