Pilgrimage in Kazakhstan: historiographical review

Abstract

This article is review of the national historiography of pilgrimage in Kazakhstan. The historical roots of the pilgrimage go back deeply into centuries. This cultural phenomenon, which has retained its unchanged historical and cultural origin for thousands of years, has become an integral part of the contemporary world. A pilgrimage is a journey with one main goal - is communion with the Almighty through the worship of a shrine, the content of which is revealed by different rituals. The study of various materials leads to the conclusion about the presence of genetic links between the pilgrimage and the mental foundations and ritual practice of polytheistic and monotheistic religions. At the turn of the XX - XXI centuries, pilgrimage journeys started its active development. In recent years, the problem of pilgrimage has attracted the attention of theologians, historians and practitioners who organize religious tourism in the country. The term “pilgrimage” is interpreted by authors in different ways, therefore, different terms are suggested to it: “pilgrimage”, “religious tourism”. The list of research studies on this issue has to be more full and comprehensive. And also the study of this issue requires a combination of different approaches.