Type of Monument: Sacred Site
Date: 2000
Location: Bolgarka Village, Alga District, Aktobe Region, Kazakhstan.
Brief Description:
The mausoleum is a centrally planned, single-chambered domed structure with a hexagonal layout. It was constructed using a combination of white silicate bricks and red bricks. The six sides are designed to resemble fortress towers and are topped with pyramid-shaped decorative metal elements. A crescent finial crowns the dome. The mausoleum measures 3.95 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, and 6.5 meters in height.
Historical Information:
Abubakir Borankululy was one of the most prominent Kazakh poets of the second half of the nineteenth century. He served as a role model and mentor for many poets, and his fame extended beyond the Kazakh steppe to the countries of Central Asia.
The poet taught children in Tuztobe and in settlements around Oral, Orsk, Orenburg, and Aktobe. Highly educated, politically aware, and deeply knowledgeable about the social realities of his time, Abubakir gained widespread popularity due to the eloquence and artistic quality of his poetry. The people greatly respected and admired him. His works were published twice in book form in Kazan, in 1903 and 1905. However, due to restrictions imposed during the Soviet period, his name and literary heritage remained largely inaccessible until Kazakhstan gained independence. Like many representatives of the “Zar Zaman” literary movement, Abubakir experienced a difficult historical fate compared to many other Kazakh poets.
The genres represented in Abubakir’s literary legacy are highly diverse and include reflective poems (tolgau), dedicatory verses, elegies, improvisational and written poetic contests (aitys), riddle contests, satirical epigrams, eulogies, socio-political and philosophical poems, lyrical works, genealogical narratives, and religious poetry.
Several of Abubakir’s famous poetic contests have survived to the present day. These include his aitys with Nogai Nurym, a descendant of the renowned poet Dospambet Zhyrau; with Alim Kozhakhmet; and with the distinguished Karakalpak poet Qulymbet.
All three poets were exceptionally talented. Alim Kozhakhmet of Aktobe first studied at the mosque of his uncle, Zhakibai Hazret, and later continued his education in Orenburg and Troitsk. He was a well-educated scholar, mullah, and poet of his era. Abubakir highly appreciated Kozhakhmet’s intellectual outlook and poetic talent. Their poetic contest was published during their lifetimes in issues No. 23–24 of the newspaper Dala Ualayaty in 1900 under the title “The Riddles of Mullah Kozhakhmet Addressed to Abubakir.” Kozhakhmet also engaged in poetic contests with the distinguished Kazakh poet Nurzhan Naushabayev.
The Mausoleum of Abubakir Borankululy is one of the sacred monuments of Kazakh literature and culture. Architecturally, it is distinguished by its hexagonal, single-chambered, domed design, reflecting a harmonious combination of Islamic memorial traditions and modern architectural elements.
As an outstanding poet, teacher, and public figure of his time, Abubakir Borankululy made an invaluable contribution to traditional Kazakh poetry. His works—including aitys, reflective poetry, genealogical narratives, philosophical compositions, and socially oriented verses—played an important role in the development of Kazakh literature.
Constructed in 2000, the mausoleum contributes significantly to the preservation of the region’s historical and spiritual heritage and occupies an important place within the cultural and historical landscape of the Aktobe Region. Beyond commemorating the poet himself, the mausoleum serves as a symbol of respect for education, literature, and cultural values among the local community.
References:
- Wikipedia – Abubakir Borankululy
Information on his biography, literary works, and mausoleum:
https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Әбубәкір_Кердері_кесенесі - Aktobe Newspaper – Abubakir Borankululy
Articles on the mausoleum and the tradition of aitys:
https://aqtobegazeti.kz/?p=98076