Asan Kozha Necropolis: Mausoleums, Saganatams, Qulpytases, and Small Architectural Forms

Research History

The Asan-Qoja Necropolis has been the subject of several scholarly studies. Among the earliest is M. M. Meñdīqūlov's article On the Characteristics of the Architecture of Kazakhstan in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries, published in the volume Architecture of Kazakhstan by A. Margulan, T. Basenov, and M. Meñdīqūlov.

Other important sources include the works of S. Äjığali, notably Report on the Architectural and Art Historical Expedition in Western Kazakhstan in 1980 (preserved in the archives of the Kazprojectrestoration Institute) and Report on the Architectural and Art Historical Expedition in the Aktobe Region.

Brief Description

Located on the left bank of the Zhem River, this necropolis is one of the largest Kazakh burial grounds dating to the modern period. Although it occupies a relatively small area, it contains an impressive variety of funerary monuments, with 264 recorded structures.

The site includes mausoleums built of chalk limestone, saganatams constructed from dressed stone, stone and mud-brick enclosures, sandyqtases, qulpytases, qoytases, historic and modern burials, as well as a mosque. In many cases, qulpytases are combined with other types of funerary monuments.

The complex is divided into two groups.

The first group is situated on elevated ground approximately 2 kilometres west of the Tuz wintering site. It consists primarily of enclosures built from brown sandstone. Eroded earthen mounds, stone enclosures, and shegen-type monuments are also found here. A distinctive feature of this section is the use of brown sandstone for the qulpytases.

Among the most notable monuments are Saganatams No. 13 and No. 164, dating to the twentieth century and representing an outstanding combination of architecture and decorative art. Most of the remaining monuments are qulpytases and qoytases, ranging from archaic examples to later works distinguished by well-defined forms and finely carved ornamentation.

Many of the western faces of the qulpytases bear inscriptions in the Kazakh language written in the Arabic script.

The second group, located approximately 800 metres southwest of the first, contains both historic and modern burials, together with the mosque building. The historic section is composed mainly of stone enclosures, ruined mud-brick enclosures, and shegen-type enclosures.

Approximately 150 metres southeast of the necropolis stands the Mosque of Asan Ishan, a rectangular mud-brick structure constructed with clay mortar.

Legend

Asan Qoja was a humanitarian educator, spiritual guide, community leader, and distinguished orator renowned for his ability to unite people.

The title Qoja is associated with descendants of religious families who came to the Kazakh steppe to spread Islam, establish madrasas, and educate local children. According to oral tradition, Asan enjoyed great respect among the people, devoted himself to the spread of Islam, and is believed to have belonged to the Qoja lineage.

Today, Asan Qoja is revered as a saint. Pilgrims continue to visit his burial site, where many spend the night as part of their pilgrimage.

Historical tradition also holds that Asan Qoja lived during the same period as the well-known historical figure Asau Barak.

References:

1. Wikipedia: Асанқожа қорымы
2. Qojalar.kz: Асан Қожа