Portable Qur’ānic Inscriptions in Kazakh Culture: from Daily Use to Museum and Library Collections

Abstract

Studies of traditional Kazakh culture often portray their customs, rituals, and worldview as being closely linked with Islam. In these works, the elements of the Islamic faith are treated as a cultural layer adapted to the nomadic way of life. However, the specific ways in which Qur’ānic texts were applied in daily life of Kazakhs – particularly their material, apotropaic, and sacred functions – have not been thoroughly researched. Among the various influences on Kazakh folk art, Islam and its sacred text, the Qur’ān, occupy a particularly a significant role. The article examines material objects of traditional Kazakh culture which contain Qur’ānic text. These artefacts differ from other items also held in libraries and museums in Kazakhstan in their portability – that is, they were carried by their owners. A second distinctive is their connection to Islam. Thirdly, they are practical items which saw regular use and served a dual function, usually possessing an apotropaic feature. The first group of artifacts consists of miniature Qur’āns, and the second contains personal items, inscribed passages from the Qur’ān. Despite the Soviet Union’s atheistic policy, these artifacts were preserved through that period and transferred to state institutions for safekeeping. In addition to the primary functions of these artifacts – educational, aesthetic, or military – this study identified an additional function of healing and protecting. Serving an apotropaic purpose, they combined every day and ritual significance. All the examined wearable items were made of durable materials suitable for constant use and adapted to the local nomadic culture.