Ethnographic Expedition to the Zhylyoi, Makat, Kyzylkoga, Inder, and Makhambet Districts of Atyrau Region
From June 22 to July 17, 2024, the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore organized an ethnographic expedition dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the birth of Murat Monkeuly, covering the Zhylyoi, Makat, Kyzylkoga, Inder, and Makhambet districts of Atyrau Region.
Purpose of the expedition: to collect archival materials and objects of material heritage from residents of rural districts that have well preserved the traditions and customs of the people, as well as from descendants of folk craftsmen, local historians, and villagers.
The first stage of the expedition took place in the Zhylyoi District. The team included: museum director M. Kipiev; literary scholar, candidate of philological sciences M. Tazh-Murat; culturologist G. Asylbekkyzy; chief curator of collections B. Khasanova; senior researcher of the department of modern history, candidate of historical sciences K. Mukhitov; senior researcher of the department of general history, archaeology and ethnography N. Kamieva; head of the collections registration sector M. Nauryzbayeva; head of the collections storage sector A. Masaeva; and driver M. Demesinov.
During the expedition, about 150 items of material culture were collected, along with new ethnographic data, information on local toponyms (names of lands and waters, wells, burial mounds, elevations), and samples of folk creativity — legends, tales, and folklore materials. Records were made about traditional farming, in particular methods of livestock treatment, as well as various techniques for preparing shubat and soap.
