Abstract

This paper explores the process of the formation of the Kazakh nation in its modern sense by the soviet authorities in the first decade of the USSR. It targets the school textbook Enbek pen Mektep (“School and Labor”) and examines the état d’affaires at the time of its publication in 1930, as well as the aims or goals that might have motivated the authors to shape the modernized and socialized idea of a Kazakh nation in this way. Starting from the examination of existing literature in the area of invented traditions and formation of nationhood and following with the historical research of the terms “Kazakh” and “Kazakhness”, this research illustrates a context in which the new attempts of the Soviet authorities to form the Kazakhs as a nation happened. By showcasing the contrasting notions of what “Kazakh” meant between before the Soviet nation-building program and the Soviets’ understanding of Kazakhness, I demonstrate the significant influence of the primary aims of establishing the socialism on the basis of indigenous national group. Moreover, I use the textbook of 1930 to show how the indigenous authors complied with central administration’s directives but were also able to promote some of the indigenous Kazakh traditional values which would not interfere with the Soviet model citizen ideal. Thus, it showcases the reasonings and the process of implementation of various ideas on religion, nation, traditions and way of life as a part of formation of a new Kazakh Socialist.