Barymta and social relations in traditional kazakh society

The study of the institution of barymta (b arymta is not merely the act of livestock raiding; its primary purpose was an objective pursuit of justice through the restoration of violated rights), which played a significant role in regulating socio-legal relations in Kazakh society, is largely dominated by its assessment as a source of in-ter-tribal and inter-clan conflicts, as well as an act of predatory nature. Colonial rule disrupted the internal so-cial order and self-regulation mechanisms of Kazakh society, altering the nature and functions of barymta. This article reconsiders barymta from a new perspective— as a moral, ethical, and legal norm — defining its place in the social organization of Kazakh society. Through a historiographical analysis of research on this is-sue, the article identifies the essence of the barymta institution and the causes and consequences of its trans-formation. The article pays special attention to the function of barymta in its initial stage as a regulated form of social control and conflict resolution within society. It analyzes its evolution— from an orderly mecha-nism to chaotic and criminal practices under the influence of external pressures and the disintegration of tra-ditional social structures. Based on this analysis, conclusions are drawn about the characteristics of social re-lations in Kazakh society and the mechanisms of their regulation