Manash Kozybayev – «Columbus of the Kazakh history»

Chronicle of scientific life. Personalities.

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the academician Manash Kozybayev, a distinguished historian and scholar whose works laid the foundation for the study of the history of independent Kazakhstan. He was honored with the title of "Columbus of Kazakh history" among the professional community. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the scientific legacy of Manash Kabashuly, which is particularly relevant in light of contemporary discussions on the state and prospects of historical science in Kazakhstan. Specifically, attention is drawn to the fact that in the context of nation-state building, situated at the intersection of historical past and future, questions arise regarding the insufficient development of Kazakh history and the influence of subjective factors on its interpretation. This article explores the reasons behind such debates and offers answers based on the works of Manash Kabashuly Kozybayev, who emerged as a phenomenon in the field of scientific and cultural understanding of the Kazakh steppe in the 20th century. One of the key issues examined by Manash Kabashuly was the analysis of the causes of the crisis in historical science in Kazakhstan during the 1990s. On the one hand, historians gained the opportunity to apply new methodological approaches to their research. Access to previously classified archival materials, which had been under strict communist party control, was opened. However, as noted by academician M.K. Kozybayev, this also led to new challenges: “Today, we are rethinking our history, exposing imperial concepts, and striving to establish a new scientific approach... History is not only about writing but also about teaching. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of those who engage in compiling genealogies and glorifying individual tribes”. The scholar emphasizes that history as a scientific discipline carries immense responsibility, as it can both contribute to the consolidation of society and become a tool for its division. In this regard, he calls on professional historians to adopt a clear and balanced stance in addressing these issues. The present article is not dedicated to provide a comprehensive representation of the multifaceted figure of Manash Kabashevich Kozybayev, professional historian, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, and Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. But we are sure that the time has come to enrich the pages of the Modern History of Kazakhstan, relying on the thoughts and ideas that were presented in the magnificent works of the discoverer of modern Kazakh history - Academician M.K. Kozybayev.