people of mangistau
People of the Steppe: Life and Heritage in Mangistau
Rooted in tradition, shaped by the steppe
Heritage, identity, and life on the steppe
The vast, windswept landscapes of Mangistau are home to a proud and resilient people whose traditions and way of life are deeply rooted in the steppe and desert. Today, around 700,000 people live in the Mangistau region, with most concentrated in the city of Aktau and surrounding towns, while smaller communities continue to live in rural areas and villages.
The vast, windswept landscapes of Mangistau are home to a proud and resilient people whose traditions and way of life are deeply rooted in the steppe and desert. Today, around 700,000 people live in the Mangistau region, with most concentrated in the city of Aktau and surrounding towns, while smaller communities continue to live in rural areas and villages.
The Clan System
Kazakhstan’s social structure has long been shaped by the clan system, an essential part of Kazakh identity. Historically, Kazakhs have been divided into three major tribal unions called Zhuz — the Senior Zhuz, Middle Zhuz, and Junior Zhuz — each consisting of various clans called "Ru" that formed the backbone of community life, defining kinship, traditions, and roles within society.
In the Mangistau region, the dominant group is the Junior Zhuz, and the most prominent clan here is the Aday (Adai). Known for their deep connection to the land, resilience, and proud heritage, the Aday people have preserved their customs through generations. Like many Kazakh clans, they use a distinctive symbol called a tamga — a kind of ancestral emblem used historically to mark livestock, property, and gravestones.
The Aday tamga is a bold, upward-pointing arrow (↑), symbolizing progress, strength, and unity. Even today, this symbol can be seen throughout Mangistau — engraved in stone, worn as jewelry, or integrated into local designs — as a living connection to a shared past.
While the modern world has transformed much of everyday life, the clan system still plays a quiet but respected role, especially in Mangistau, where ancestry and tradition continue to shape identity and community bonds.
Kazakhstan’s social structure has long been shaped by the clan system, an essential part of Kazakh identity. Historically, Kazakhs have been divided into three major tribal unions called Zhuz — the Senior Zhuz, Middle Zhuz, and Junior Zhuz — each consisting of various clans called "Ru" that formed the backbone of community life, defining kinship, traditions, and roles within society.
In the Mangistau region, the dominant group is the Junior Zhuz, and the most prominent clan here is the Aday (Adai). Known for their deep connection to the land, resilience, and proud heritage, the Aday people have preserved their customs through generations. Like many Kazakh clans, they use a distinctive symbol called a tamga — a kind of ancestral emblem used historically to mark livestock, property, and gravestones.
The Aday tamga is a bold, upward-pointing arrow (↑), symbolizing progress, strength, and unity. Even today, this symbol can be seen throughout Mangistau — engraved in stone, worn as jewelry, or integrated into local designs — as a living connection to a shared past.
While the modern world has transformed much of everyday life, the clan system still plays a quiet but respected role, especially in Mangistau, where ancestry and tradition continue to shape identity and community bonds.
Aday tamga
How They Live
Most people in Mangistau live in urban settings today, primarily in Aktau, the regional capital and port city on the Caspian Sea, and in smaller towns like Zhanaozen and Fort-Shevchenko. In rural areas, some families still live a more traditional lifestyle, keeping livestock such as sheep, goats, camels, and horses, and moving seasonally to find grazing.
Even those living in modern apartments in Aktau maintain strong family traditions and gather for important cultural celebrations. Many families return to ancestral villages in summer or for significant events.
Most people in Mangistau live in urban settings today, primarily in Aktau, the regional capital and port city on the Caspian Sea, and in smaller towns like Zhanaozen and Fort-Shevchenko. In rural areas, some families still live a more traditional lifestyle, keeping livestock such as sheep, goats, camels, and horses, and moving seasonally to find grazing.
Even those living in modern apartments in Aktau maintain strong family traditions and gather for important cultural celebrations. Many families return to ancestral villages in summer or for significant events.
What They Do for a Living
The economy of Mangistau has shifted significantly in the last century. Today, many people work in:
The economy of Mangistau has shifted significantly in the last century. Today, many people work in:
- The oil and gas industry, which dominates the region’s economy.
- Construction and transport linked to the port and industry.
- Agriculture and livestock, especially in rural areas.
- Tourism, crafts, and local markets are growing industries thanks to interest in Mangistau’s unique landscapes and cultural heritage.
Tilda Publishing
Hunting Heritage in Mangistau
For centuries, the people of Mangistau relied on the land not only for herding but also for traditional hunting, which was both a means of survival and a deep expression of their connection to nature.
Kazakh hunters of the region practiced nomadic hunting techniques, often using trained eagles and sighthounds (Tazy dogs) to track foxes, hares, and steppe game. While Mangistau’s harsh desert terrain made large-scale hunting rare, the skills of reading the wind, terrain, and animal movement were passed down through generations — especially among Aday clans known for their toughness and independence.
Hunting was also tied to honor, endurance, and the balance between man and nature. It wasn’t done for sport, but with purpose and deep respect for the ecosystem.
Today, while traditional hunting has faded with modernization, it remains a cultural memory. You’ll find it celebrated in oral stories, regional museums, and the reverence shown for animals like the golden eagle, which still symbolizes strength and freedom in Kazakh culture.
For centuries, the people of Mangistau relied on the land not only for herding but also for traditional hunting, which was both a means of survival and a deep expression of their connection to nature.
Kazakh hunters of the region practiced nomadic hunting techniques, often using trained eagles and sighthounds (Tazy dogs) to track foxes, hares, and steppe game. While Mangistau’s harsh desert terrain made large-scale hunting rare, the skills of reading the wind, terrain, and animal movement were passed down through generations — especially among Aday clans known for their toughness and independence.
Hunting was also tied to honor, endurance, and the balance between man and nature. It wasn’t done for sport, but with purpose and deep respect for the ecosystem.
Today, while traditional hunting has faded with modernization, it remains a cultural memory. You’ll find it celebrated in oral stories, regional museums, and the reverence shown for animals like the golden eagle, which still symbolizes strength and freedom in Kazakh culture.
Tilda Publishing
Traditions of Hospitality
Like all Kazakhs, the people of Mangistau are famous for their warm hospitality, respect for guests, and strong family ties. Visitors are often welcomed with tea, bread, and stories about the land and its history — a glimpse into the rich culture of the Aday and their enduring spirit.
Like all Kazakhs, the people of Mangistau are famous for their warm hospitality, respect for guests, and strong family ties. Visitors are often welcomed with tea, bread, and stories about the land and its history — a glimpse into the rich culture of the Aday and their enduring spirit.
Tilda Publishing
Camel Farming in Mangistau
An ancient livelihood that still shapes the steppe
In the arid lands of Mangistau, where water is scarce and the terrain unforgiving, camels have been more than animals — they are lifelines. For centuries, local communities, especially in rural and semi-nomadic settings, have relied on camel farming for transport, milk, meat, and even wool.
The hardy Bactrian camel, with its iconic two humps, is perfectly suited to Mangistau’s extreme climate. These animals can endure long droughts, temperature swings, and vast distances — making them ideal companions for life on the steppe.
Even today, camel herding remains a respected tradition, especially among Aday clan families who maintain ancestral grazing routes. Fermented camel milk, known as shubat, is not only a dietary staple but also valued for its medicinal properties. It’s rich in vitamins and considered highly nutritious.
Camel wool is still used for handmade textiles and felt products, keeping traditional crafts alive. While modern livelihoods have changed, camel farming continues to be a vital part of Mangistau’s cultural identity, connecting today’s people with their nomadic past.
An ancient livelihood that still shapes the steppe
In the arid lands of Mangistau, where water is scarce and the terrain unforgiving, camels have been more than animals — they are lifelines. For centuries, local communities, especially in rural and semi-nomadic settings, have relied on camel farming for transport, milk, meat, and even wool.
The hardy Bactrian camel, with its iconic two humps, is perfectly suited to Mangistau’s extreme climate. These animals can endure long droughts, temperature swings, and vast distances — making them ideal companions for life on the steppe.
Even today, camel herding remains a respected tradition, especially among Aday clan families who maintain ancestral grazing routes. Fermented camel milk, known as shubat, is not only a dietary staple but also valued for its medicinal properties. It’s rich in vitamins and considered highly nutritious.
Camel wool is still used for handmade textiles and felt products, keeping traditional crafts alive. While modern livelihoods have changed, camel farming continues to be a vital part of Mangistau’s cultural identity, connecting today’s people with their nomadic past.
Tilda Publishing
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