The socio-religious and historical landscape of the Aral Sea region: genesis of its formation

The study of religious traditions of the peoples of the Aral Sea region in the 19th century is important for understanding the stages of formation of the religious landscape of the area. During this period, the peoples of the Aral Sea region, particularly the Karakalpaks, were known for their rich tradition of oral folklore. Folk creativity, with its diverse ideas, forms, and genres, has served as a medium through which the people have artistically expressed their sorrows, hopes, and aspirations over the centuries. The emotional resonance of this creativity is particularly valuable as it reflects the people’s mentality, worldview, and way of life. Through artistic literature, the people have conveyed their history, national identity, and worldview in written form. Great thinkers such as Berdakh contributed to the development of this process by embodying the philosophical views, cultural heritage, and worldview of the people in their works. Archaeological research conducted in the 1970s and 1980s identified a number of sites in the Aral Sea region and its surroundings, including cemeteries of ancient nomads and locations associated with religious rituals. Archaeological monuments such as Duana, Jeti Asar, and Kardar on the Ustyurt Plateau are of great significance for studying the religious beliefs and burial practices of the nomadic peoples who once inhabited these areas. Pottery samples and ceramic artifacts discovered at these sites—particularly the remnants of fire within graves, commemorative rites for the deceased, and methods of bone cremation—provide detailed insights into the culture of that period.