Zhuzy in Kazakhstan

Main article: Politics in Kazakhstan

Hierarchy of clans

The very division into Senior, Middle and Junior Zhuzy is not associated with the number of population or the level of economic development, but, above all, with seniority of one or another kind.

It is generally accepted that the Kazakhs of the Senior Zhuz are a more settled part of the population, while the Younger and Middle are nomadic.

To have some ideas about the hierarchy of clans and tribes in Kazakhstan, Kazakh political scientist Marat Shibutov cites the following scheme.

As a percentage of data for 2022, the entire population of Kazakhstan is divided by zhuz in a proportion of about 45% - average, 35% - senior and 20% - junior.

2022

The leaders of the political life of Kazakhstan - Tokayev and Nursultan Nazarbayev - belong to the Senior Zhuz, but belong to different clans: Tokayev - to the Jalaira clan (Kushuk tribe), and Nazarbayev - to the Shaprashta clan.

Sometimes there are difficulties in clearly defining the pedigree of a politician. However, with confidence for October 2022, we can assert the origin of the following politicians who are members or were part of the first echelon of the political elite of Kazakhstan:

• ex-Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov - Kuandyk-Argyn also from Middle Zhuz,
• former Prime Minister Nurlan Balgimbayev - Issyk from the Younger Zhuz,
• not so long ago retired diplomat Imangali Tasmangambetov - zhappas from the Younger Zhuz,
• Akezhan Kazhegeldin - uak-kerey from Middle Zhuz,
• acting akim of East Kazakhstan region Danial Akhmetov - argyn from Middle Zhuz,
• administrative employee of the state apparatus Askar Mamin - Kanzhygali-Argyn from the Middle Zhuz.

2020: Economic specialization of zhuzov

For 2020, each Zhuz has its own specific specialization due to natural characteristics. Industry is tied to fossil deposits and large cities. Thus, Junior Zhuz concentrates on the extraction of chromium, oil and uranium ores, which makes it possible to successfully develop non-ferrous metallurgy and power.

Middle Zhuz has a greater sectoral and industrial diversity: animal husbandry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy.

The elder Zhuz, due to its high water potential and mild climate, specializes in fishing, forestry, light and food industries.

1960: Immigrants from the Senior Zhuz: Kunaev, Nazarbayev, Tokayev

The situation began to change dramatically with the advent of Leonid Brezhnev to power in the USSR. Brezhnev returned Dinmukhamed Kunaev (Senior Zhuz, Ysty tribe) as the head of the Kazakh SSR, and then, during a long and painful inter-clan competition with representatives of the Middle Zhuz, Nursultan Nazarbayev came to power, sending the most dangerous competitors into political oblivion. Such a balance of power is still relevant to this day. The leading persons of modern Kazakhstan - Tokayev and Nazarbayev - belong to the Senior Zhuz, but belong to different clans: Tokayev is listed in the Jalaira clan (Kushuk tribe), and Nazarbayev - in the Shaprashta clan.

Since the possession of political capital in Kazakhstan almost completely determines the possession of economic resources, business networks are built according to a similar scheme. Although, of course, to stabilize the system, it is often necessary to compromise and give certain industries to the "Middle University" so that they do not feel offended and carry out policies beneficial to the current elite.

Beginning of the 20th century: immigrants from the Middle Zhuz are in the lead

Until the early 1960s, hegemony in Kazakhstan was possessed by immigrants from the Middle Zhuz, but Stalin's repressions greatly battered their ranks.

XVIII-XIX centuries: Entry into the Russian Empire

From a historical point of view, it is interesting to pay attention to the order of the actual entry of Kazakh zhuzes into the Russian Empire. This process turned out to be extremely long, stretching for more than a hundred years: the beginning was laid under the administration of Anna Ioannovna in 1731, and the process of defeating the Kokand Khanate in 1876 under Alexander II ended. The process of actual integration of Kazakhstan and Russia was complicated by many domestic political problems: for a long time, the khans maintained relative independence and tried to maintain their sovereignty, and the population often rose to revolt against Russian hegemonic policy. To join the new territories, infrastructure support was necessary (construction of fortresses, establishment of logistic road communication, etc.). However, it should be understood that this was a mutual process, since the Kazakh khanates pursued several important goals for themselves. First, the gaining strength of the Dzungarian Khanate in the East of Kazakhstan regularly made devastating raids, which undermined the political and economic stability of the country. Secondly, the Kazakh khanates were well aware that Russia's imperial ambitions extended to Central Asia, and therefore Kazakhstan was at military risk, which prompted local authorities to compromise and accept Russian citizenship.

15th century: The formation of zhuzov after the collapse of the Golden Horde

The history of the formation of zhuzes in Kazakhstan takes its origins, according to a number of experts, long before the appearance of the Mongol-Tatar state education. However, the most developed and accepted in scientific circles remains the version according to which Kazakh tribes took shape as independent khanates after the collapse of the Golden Horde in the 15th century. Then Kerey and Zhanibek acted as founders of disparate tribal associations, nevertheless having an almost homogeneous ethnic and cultural composition. Although, of course, close diplomatic, economic contacts and military cooperation remained between these regions in the conditions of devastating nomadic raids of neighboring tribes.

As an additional factor that influenced the formation of tribal clans (the so-called zhuzes), natural and geographical circumstances also played: The elder Zhuz was formed in the southern part of Kazakhstan, including the legendary Semirechye (disputes about the list of rivers included in this complex still do not subside), the Middle Zhuz extends in the Central and Northern parts of the country, and the Younger occupies the Western territory. Due to the fact that very few sources describing that time have reached us, even the origin of the word "Zhuz" is still not known for certain: some ethnographers tend to believe that it originates from the Arabic "branch," others think that it came from the words "horde," "ulus" or "khanate."