Kazakh toponymic legends and motives in China

Abstract

This article explores the toponymic legends preserved among the Kazakh diaspora in the People’s Republic of China, highlighting their role in sustaining ethnic identity and collective memory. The Kazakhs, with a rich folklore tradition dating back to ancient times, have long associated myths and legends with place names. The study focuses on legends from the Altai, Ili, and Tarbagatai regions, analyzing their content, structure, and cultural significance. These narratives not only describe geographical objects but also convey historical events, heroic figures, and key moments of the past. The article attempts a typological classification of the legends, examining their poetic structures, character systems, and cognitive features. Attention is also given to the broader historical and cultural context in which these texts function, underscoring their importance in preserving linguistic, historical, and spiritual identity. Drawing on oral accounts and ethnographic research collected among Kazakhs in China, the study demonstrates that toponymic legends are a vital cultural phenomenon reflecting the ancient worldview and values of the Kazakh people, while contributing to the development of Kazakh toponymy.