National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana
The National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana
The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the youngest and largest museum in Central Asia.
The museum was established in 2013 as part of the State Program "Cultural Heritage."
The museum is located on Independence Square, next to the "Kazakh Eli" monument, the Palace of Independence, the National University of Arts, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and the Hazrat Sultan Mosque.
The museum building, with its distinctive exterior, covers a total area of 74,000 square meters and consists of seven blocks and nine floors, housing 18 exhibition halls.
The museum aims to preserve Kazakhstan's rich historical and cultural heritage, passing it on to younger generations.
Visitors purchase tickets at the museum entrance; the price list is included in our overview.
The ground floor houses souvenir kiosks, a café, and coffee machines.
The Ethnography Hall presents the material and spiritual culture of the Kazakh people. The central exhibit is the yurt, a traditional dwelling for the nomadic Kazakh lifestyle. It is easy to set up and disassemble, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. The wooden frame consists of four parts: the kerege (circle), topped by the shanyrak (roof), which connects the uyk (wall), and the entrance, called esik (entrance).
Hunting played an important role in the lives of nomads, helping them develop horsemanship skills and study the habits of animals. The main areas of folk art included the processing of wool, leather, bone, and wood.
The Hall of Intangible Cultural Heritage displays musical instruments made of wood and reed, clay, metal, and animal hide, bringing the sounds of antiquity to life.
The knowledge and customs of the Kazakhs contributed to the formation of national identity.
Traditional folk entertainment encompasses various aspects of the people's economic and everyday life and also serves important educational and ritual functions. Kazakh national food consists primarily of meat and dairy products. These include beshbarmaq, kazy, karta, shuzhyq, baursaki, kurt, ayran, and others.
The Hall of Traditional Culture displays jewelry from the 19th and 20th centuries, felt ornaments, carpets, and household utensils. National clothing reflects the diversity of everyday life, rituals, and ornamentation. Thus, decorative and applied arts play an important role in the lives of the Kazakh people.
Special attention is given to the formation, establishment, and development of the Kazakh Khanate, as well as the formation of socio-economic and political processes. The tradition of electing the khan, raising him on a white felt mat, and the proclamation ceremony of the ruler are also discussed. The periods and procedures of military operations and the defense of the state from foreign invaders are also discussed.
The "Golden Man," located in Gold Hall No. 1, is of particular interest to visitors; a separate review is devoted to it. Find more detailed information about this exhibit on our channel.
The Golden Man is the code name for an archaeological discovery made in 1970.
Incidentally, archaeologists in Kazakhstan have subsequently found approximately eight similar Golden Men. The most recent Golden Man—a Sarmatian leader—was discovered in the Aktobe region in 2019. But the Issyk Kurgan turned out to be the first, richest and most famous burial.
According to scientists, the clothing and burial method suggest that the Golden Man is a descendant of a prominent Saka leader.
Presumably, he is a Saka tigrakhauda, as he wears a pointed headdress decorated with gold plates.
It should be noted that the Golden Man has become material evidence that, in ancient times, approximately 2,500 years ago, a highly developed civilization existed in Kazakhstan, skilled in gold processing.
Moreover, the peoples living in this land had a high level of material and spiritual culture. Now let's visit Gold Hall No. 2, which houses exhibits of Sarmatian chieftains, the attire of a noblewoman from the 4th century BC, a Saka king, a Hun leader, and much more.
The Paleontology Hall is truly intriguing.
Did you know that dinosaurs inhabited Kazakhstan during the Mesozoic era?
This is one of the most famous – the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Its body was 12 meters long, 6 meters high, and weighed 7 tons.
Furthermore, the National Museum houses exhibits of a mammoth, a giant deer, and a giant rhinoceros.
All of these ancient animals lived in Kazakhstan.
In short, if you are interested in learning about the rich history of the Kazakh steppes, the customs and traditions of the nomadic way of life, and cultural and intellectual self-development, then be sure to visit this magnificent museum. It's difficult to see it all in one day; it offers a vast array of interesting exhibits and informative facts.
The museum is equipped with modern, world-class equipment, numerous media screens, and a multimedia guide make it easy to digest the materials on display.
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