Jüz

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The traditional areas of the three jüz in the early 20th century. (Key: green - Junior Jüz, yellow - Middle Juz, red - Senior Juz)
The traditional areas of the three jüz in the early 20th century. (Key: green - Junior Jüz, yellow - Middle Juz, red - Senior Juz)

A juz (Kazakh: жүз) is one of the three main territorial divisions in the Desht-i Kypchak that covers much of contemporary Kazakhstan. The meaning and origins of the Jüz formations have been subject to different interpretations. Some researchers argued that originally juz corresponded to tribal, military alliances of steppe nomads that emerged around mid-16th century after the disintegration of the Kazakh Khanate. Others proposed that juz are geographical ecological zones separated by natural boundaries. Nomads adopted to these geographical zones and developed nomadic migration routes within the natural boundaries. According to Kazakh legends the three juz originated from the children and grandchildren of the three sons of the mythical forefather of Kazakhs. Another version of the legend asserts that the three juz were the territorial inheritances of the three sons of the mythical founder father. In Kazakh language juz means hundred or face, in Arabic juz refers to section, division.

Historically, the Great juz (Kazakh: Ұлы жүз, Ulı Juz; Russian: Старший Жуз), or the Great Horde, nomads inhabited the northern lands of the former Chagatai Ulus of the Mongol Empire, in the Ili River and Chu River basins, in today's South-Eastern Kazakhstan and China's Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (northern Xinjiang). Ulu Juz was also called Uysun Orda. Ulu Juz nomads were known for their skills in cattle-breeding and animal husbandry.

The Middle juz (Kazakh: Орта жүз, Orta Jüz; Russian: Средний Жуз), or the Middle Horde, nomads nomadized in the eastern lands of the former Juchi Ulus, in Central, Northern, and Eastern Kazakhstan. Orta Juz was also known as Argyn Orda. Many of Kazakhstan's famous poets and intellectuals, including Abai Kunanbai, Akhmet Baitursunov, Chokan Valikhanov, Alikhan Bokeikhanov were born in Orta Juz territories. The Junior juz (Kazakh: Кiшi жүз, Kişi Jüz; Russian: Младший Жуз), or the Lesser Horde, nomads occupied the lands of the former Nogai Khanate in Western Kazakhstan. Kishi Juz was also called Alshin Orda. They were known for their fierce warriors.

Contents

[edit] Contemporary Kazakh clans

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Each Horde or Jüz contains a number of clans (ry) which share a presumed geneaology of forefathers going back back to presumed ancestor. Each clan is divided into smaller groups down to the smallest lineage. As Kazaks practice exogamy, each individual is expected to know his ancestors up to the seventh forefather (Byr Ata). Marriage within Byr Ata was considered to be incest taboo.

[edit] Great (or Senior) Juz

There had been several attempts to determine the number of top level clans throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However different studies created vastly different population numbers. Moreover, the names of the highest level clans have always been disputed. Uisun:

  • Jalair|Zhalayr]] 100-110,000
  • Alban 100,000
  • Dulat 250,000
  • Sary-Uisyn 10,000
  • Sergeli 40,000
  • Shaprashty 50-60,000
  • Suan 30,000
  • Oshaqty 20,000
  • Ysty 40-45,000
  • Qangly and Shanyshqyly 50,000

[edit] Middle Juz

  • Argyn 500,000
  • Kerei 100-110,000
  • Naiman 400,000
  • Qonyrat 40-45,000 in Kazakhstan, and more than 100,000 in Central Asia
  • Qypchak 140-150,000
  • Uaq 55-60,000
  • Taraqty 10,000

[edit] Little Jüz

The Little (or Junior) Jüz (or Alshin) consists of three groups:

Baiuly: 540-550,000

  • Adai 80-90,000
  • Alasha 40,000
  • Altyn 30,000
  • Baibaqty 40,000
  • Berish 40,000
  • Esentemir 20,000
  • Masqar 20,000
  • Qyzylqurt 40,000
  • Sherkesh 45,000
  • Shyqlar 70,000
  • Tana 25,000
  • Taz 20,000
  • Ysyq 20,000
  • Zhappas 50,000

Alimuly: 270-315,000+

  • Kete 50-60,000
  • Qarasaqal 10-15,000
  • Shekty 60-80,000
  • Shomekey over 100,000
  • Totqara 50-60,000

Zhetyru: 265-275,000

  • Kerderi 20,000
  • Kereit 30-35,000
  • Ramadan 5,000
  • Tabyn 80,000
  • Tama 40-45,000
  • Toleu 20,000
  • Zhagabaily 70,000

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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