TYPOLOGY, ARTISTIC FEATURES, AND SEMANTICS OF TRADITIONAL KAZAKH SADDLES (Based on the Exhibits of the Aktobe Regional History and Local Lore Museum)

Abstract

Abstract. This article examines the typological, artistic, and semantic characteristics of traditional Kazakh saddles and horse equipment preserved in the collections of the Aktobe Regional Museum of History and Local Lore (ARMHL). The study provides a scholarly analysis of several saddle types represented in the museum collection, including the üyrek bas er (duck-head saddle), qozyquiyryq er (lamb-tail saddle), shoshaq bas er (pointed-head saddle), a bone-decorated children's saddle, and saddlecloths. Their structural features, manufacturing techniques, and artistic decoration are analyzed. The meanings and symbolism of ornamental motifs and decorative elements are identified, demonstrating their connection with the worldview, social relations, and spiritual values of the Kazakh people. The results reveal the continuity of artistic traditions in saddle-making that trace their origins to the Scythian-Saka, Turkic, and early nomadic cultures. The horse equipment preserved in the museum collection is evaluated as an important historical and ethnographic source for studying Kazakh equestrian culture and traditional craftsmanship.

The purpose of the article is to systematize the typology of saddle models from the museum collection, classifying them based on their design features, manufacturing technology, and artistic decoration, while simultaneously analyzing the semantic meaning of each model-specifically, the symbolic meanings conveyed through its ornamentation, shape, and material – to determine its place within the spiritual and cultural landscape of the Kazakh people.