history & heritage
From ancient nomads to sacred sites, discover the timeless spirit of the steppe.
Before the arrival of nomadic tribes, the Mangistau region was inhabited by prehistoric peoples whose presence dates back to the Paleolithic era. Archaeological finds indicate that early humans settled along the Caspian coast and Ustyurt Plateau more than 10,000 years ago. These ancient inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who used stone tools and lived in seasonal camps. During the Neolithic (New Stone Age), the region saw the emergence of more advanced communities, such as the Oykli and Tüluz cultures, known for their pottery, hunting techniques, and early forms of fishing.
By the Chalcolithic (Copper Age) and Bronze Age, Mangistau became a contact zone between steppe herders and southern agricultural societies. Influences from cultures like the Khvalynsk (from the Volga-Ural area) and Kelteminar (Central Asia) introduced domesticated animals, metal tools, and burial practices.
Thus, long before nomadic tribes dominated the region, Mangistau was home to diverse settled and semi-nomadic cultures with a rich blend of hunting, fishing, early farming, and herding traditions.
Thus, long before nomadic tribes dominated the region, Mangistau was home to diverse settled and semi-nomadic cultures with a rich blend of hunting, fishing, early farming, and herding traditions.
Before the Nomads
The Rise of Nomadic Culture
With the gradual aridization of Central Asia around the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE, the lifestyle across the Mangistau region began to shift. As water sources became more scarce and landscapes more inhospitable to agriculture, communities that once relied on semi-settled farming and hunting began transitioning to mobile herding. This marked the rise of nomadic pastoralism — a way of life that would shape Mangistau for millennia.
Nomadic tribes perfected the art of survival in the desert steppe. They moved seasonally with their herds of sheep, goats, camels, and horses, using ancient routes through the Ustyurt Plateau and Caspian lowlands. This mobility allowed them to exploit distant pastures and access key resources, forming the basis of a self-sufficient economy built around livestock, wool, milk, and trade.
Nomadic tribes perfected the art of survival in the desert steppe. They moved seasonally with their herds of sheep, goats, camels, and horses, using ancient routes through the Ustyurt Plateau and Caspian lowlands. This mobility allowed them to exploit distant pastures and access key resources, forming the basis of a self-sufficient economy built around livestock, wool, milk, and trade.
The rise of nomadic society also brought new innovations — yurts (portable felt dwellings), oral storytelling traditions, clan-based governance, and deep spiritual ties to the land. These tribes did not merely wander — they developed complex social systems, rich epic traditions, and unique visual cultures seen in petroglyphs, textiles, and jewelry.
By the early Iron Age, Mangistau’s steppes became part of vast nomadic networks stretching from the Pontic-Caspian region to the Altai Mountains. These nomads weren’t isolated; they traded with settled civilizations, guarded the Silk Road’s western flanks, and often acted as cultural bridges between East and West.
The legacy of this transition still echoes in Mangistau today — in its wide open landscapes, traditional herding practices, and enduring clan identities like the Aday, who trace their roots to these ancient nomadic forebears.
By the early Iron Age, Mangistau’s steppes became part of vast nomadic networks stretching from the Pontic-Caspian region to the Altai Mountains. These nomads weren’t isolated; they traded with settled civilizations, guarded the Silk Road’s western flanks, and often acted as cultural bridges between East and West.
The legacy of this transition still echoes in Mangistau today — in its wide open landscapes, traditional herding practices, and enduring clan identities like the Aday, who trace their roots to these ancient nomadic forebears.
Why it's called the Caspian Sea?
The name Caspian originates from the ancient people known as the Caspians (Latin: Caspii), who were believed to have lived along the southwestern shores of the Caspian Sea — in what is now modern-day Azerbaijan and Dagestan — around the 1st millennium BCE.
- Etymology and Historical References:Ancient Greek writers (like Herodotus and Strabo) referred to the sea as the Caspian Sea (Κασπία θάλασσα, Caspia thalassa), named after the Caspian tribes inhabiting the region.
- In Persian historical texts, it was also sometimes called Daryā-ye Khezer (Sea of the Khazars) or Mazandaran Sea depending on the era and dominant local tribes.
- Who Were the Caspians?The Caspians are believed to have been an ancient, possibly pre-Iranian or Caucasian people, though their exact ethnic or linguistic identity remains unclear.
- They were likely absorbed or displaced by later waves of Medes, Persians, and other groups migrating through the region.
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 -"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 -"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
Mangystau is often called the open-air museum of sacredness, a land where ancient spirituality and Islamic mysticism intertwine with stark desert beauty. For centuries, it has served not only as a crossroad for trade and nomadic life but also as a spiritual refuge for Sufis, scholars, and pilgrims.
Sufi Shrines and Underground Mosques
Mangystau is home to over 300 sacred sites, many of them underground mosques (like Shakpak-Ata, Beket-Ata, and Shopan-Ata) carved directly into limestone. These structures are not only architectural marvels but also symbols of spiritual endurance during times of religious suppression and solitude.- Shakpak-Ata: Often called the “underground cathedral,” this mosque dates back to the 10th–13th centuries and is adorned with ancient carvings and symbols.
- Beket-Ata: Revered as a pilgrimage site, it honors Beket, a 17th-century Sufi and philosopher known for his wisdom and miracles.
Tilda Publishing
Sacred Mangistau
Shakpak Ata
Sultan Upi
Shopan Ata
Beket Ata
For Kazakhs and other Turkic peoples, these sacred places are part of a zholy — the spiritual path. Many visitors come seeking blessings, healing, or to fulfill vows. Traditional practices like tying ribbons to trees or circumambulating sacred stones are still observed today, echoing ancient Turkic animist and Islamic customs.
Sacred Geography
From solitary mounds and necropolises to caves and rock formations believed to be touched by divine power, Mangystau’s landscape is deeply encoded with spiritual meaning. Many believe that the very earth holds energy, and stories of miraculous recoveries and dreams are woven into local oral tradition.
Cultural Memory & Respect
These sites continue to function as centers of spiritual connection, especially during national holidays and family pilgrimages. Locals take deep pride in preserving the rituals, and visitors are encouraged to approach with respect and modesty, recognizing the sacredness of the land and its ancestral spirit.
Sacred Geography
From solitary mounds and necropolises to caves and rock formations believed to be touched by divine power, Mangystau’s landscape is deeply encoded with spiritual meaning. Many believe that the very earth holds energy, and stories of miraculous recoveries and dreams are woven into local oral tradition.
Cultural Memory & Respect
These sites continue to function as centers of spiritual connection, especially during national holidays and family pilgrimages. Locals take deep pride in preserving the rituals, and visitors are encouraged to approach with respect and modesty, recognizing the sacredness of the land and its ancestral spirit.
Tilda Publishing
Pilgrimage & Healing Traditions
Ritual of using a fire for prayers and aura cleaning is something inherited from pre-islamic beliefs ( belief in 4 elements)
Making a prayer inside of the mosques is believed to be heard and accepted immediately
First time visitors should listen to the life story of the Sufis from the mouth of their direct descendents
Visit of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev to Beket Ata
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
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
© 2019-2024 IE "Redmaya"
130000, c. Aktau, 2nd Microdistrict, 47B Building, BC Sunkar, 4th Floor, Office 405
130000, c. Aktau, 2nd Microdistrict, 47B Building, BC Sunkar, 4th Floor, Office 405
DESTINATIONS