ETHNOGRAPHY OF WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN IN RUSSIAN SOURCES

The article deals with ethnographic research, which is the direction of Russian expeditions aimed at exploring the kazakh land. Analytical studies of the ethnography of the kazakhs who inhabited the Volga and the Urals have been carried out. A voluminous material on the life and culture of the kazakhs of the Small zhuz is presented. The characteristics of the economy and profession of the West Kazakhstan people of the XVIII-XIX centuries have been developed. The analysis of the importance of trade in the Small zhuz and animal husbandry in everyday life is carried out. The main goals and objectives of travelers and their achievements are considered. The scientists' assessment of the place of nomadism in the lifestyle of the Kazakhs of the XVIII-XIX centuries between the Volga and the Urals will be worked out. The analysis of researchers' views on how the colonial policy of the tsarist government changed Kazakh life will be carried out. As a result of the study, it was found that travelers evaluated the Kazakhs of the Maly Zhuz in comparison with neighboring peoples (Tatar, Bashkir). The Kazakhs of the Maly Zhuz differ from the Kazakhs of the Older and Middle Zhuz, as shown in the works of scientists.It tells about the nature of traditional rituals in Maly Zhuz. In the final part, the importance of ethnographic exploration of the West Kazakhstan steppes at the historiographical level is determined and the influence of Russian scientists and travelers on the presentation of Kazakh history to the world is assessed.