Zholai-Zhusup cemetery

Type of monument: Urban planning and architecture

Date of monument: Middle-late of XIX century

Location: Aitekebi district, 1.2 km east of Belkopa village

Historical information: Zholai-Zhusup cemetery was first researched in 1987 by the West Kazakhstan ethnographic expedition of the Institute of History, Ethnology and Archaeology named after Sh. Ualikhanov (headed by S. Azhigali). Also in 2019, scientists from the Institute of Oriental Studies named after R.Suleimenov conducted scientific research on epigraphic and epitaphic texts on tombstones.

The full text of the tombstones is stored in the Aktobe Regional Center for research, restoration and protection of historical and cultural heritage.

Monument description: The large necropolis of the Tortkara family. The monument consists of a mound and two mausoleums, built of burnt and raw bricks, stone fence and modern graves.

In the southern part of the cemetery includes two mausoleums. One of them belongs to bai Zhusup Zholaiuly, from whom the monument was named by the people. The mausoleum is square in shape, built of burnt and raw bricks. At present, it is badly ruined. Approximate size is 8×8 meters. In the front (north-west) part is kulpytas gravestone made of square solid blocks. On the surface of the three sides there is an engraved Arabic inscription. Next to the tomb a granite plate is installed.

The second mausoleum located 25 m to the south-east was also badly ruined. The southwest wall may have had an entranceway. Some parts of the inner wall still have decorative masonry. The front north-west wall has a solid block kulpytas. An Arabic inscription is engraved on the face of it.