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Abstract:

Across the centuries, songs have served as vessels for encapsulating memory, acting as important carriers of historical and cultural narratives. This paper explores the poignant discourses embedded in four Kazakh songs from the second half of the 1980s: namely, "Jeltoksan jeli" (The wind of Jeltoksan), "Kara bauyr kaskaldak" (The black coot), "Shyndyk" (The truth), and the antinuclear song "Zaman-ai" (Oh such times). These politically committed songs serve as portals to a powerful exploration of the nation's struggle and postcolonial pain within a post-Jeltoksan temporal context. They stand as anthems resonating with specific aspects of the Kazakh experience during this transformative period, singing the harmful impact of nuclear tests, the ecological tragedy of the Aral Sea, and environmental degradation, along with the Asharshylyk, the 1986 Jeltoksan uprising, and the cultural ramifications of Russification. They also serve as a source of selfhood, agency, and dignity.

This interdisciplinary analysis intertwines memory studies and a postcolonial framework, articulating the significant role of these songs as expressions of collective pain and protest during the final years of the Soviet Union. The paper examines the lyrics, unraveling the layers of historical importance embedded in song verses, while contextualizing each composition within the historical and cultural landscape of 20th-century Kazakhstan. Through this comprehensive exploration, it aims not only to shed light on the socio-political nuances of the late 1980s but also to contribute to a better understanding of how music, as an expressive medium, shapes and preserves national identity amidst tumultuous times. The songs emerge not merely as melodies but as vital expressions of resilience, illustrating the Kazakh people's determination to forge a narrative that rises above the challenges of their era.