Today marks the 181st anniversary of the birth of the great Kazakh poet, educator, founder of written literature and the Kazakh literary language, reformer Abai (Ibrahim) Kunanbayev. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

Abai's Ancestry

Abai's lineage traces back to Olzhai batyr from the Tobykty clan within the Argyn tribe. His grandfather Oskenbai was said to be prosperous in farming and fair in governance. From Oskenbai and his wife Zere, Abai's father Kunanbai was born. Kunanbai had four wives.

The senior wife, Kunke, bore one son, Kudaiberdy. Ulzhan was betrothed to Kunanbai's younger brother Kuttymukhambet. After his brother's death, Kunanbai married her by the levirate custom. From Ulzhan were born Tangirberdy, Ibrahim (Abai), Iskak, and Ospan; from the third wife, Aigyz, came Khaliolla and Ysmagul. This is what Abai meant by "Six from father, four from mother." The fourth wife, Nurganym, bore a son who was dragged to death by a horse when he grew up. After losing his children, Abai raised Akylbai, the son of Dilda, as his own.

Abai's Real Name – Ibrahim

His grandmother Zere affectionately called him "Abai," and the name stuck. A full genealogy of the great thinker's descendants can be found here.

Interesting Facts about Abai

  • 01Abai wrote his first poem at the age of 10.
  • 02He published his early poems under the name Kokbai.
  • 03He composed music for many of his poems, the most famous being "Kozimnin karasy."
  • 04At 13, he became involved in governing the community.
  • 05In 1860, when Abai was 15, he married Dilda.
  • 06He became a father at 16.
  • 07At 21, he was elected as a volost governor.
  • 08He married his second wife, Aigerim, at 30.
  • 09Yerkezhan was his wife married by levirate. She married Abai of her own free will.
  • 10At 36, his first grandson Aubakir was born.
  • 11From his ten children, 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren were born. Nine of them fought in the Great Patriotic War, and only two returned home.
  • 12Abai drafted "Rules of Criminal Procedure for the Kazakhs of Semipalatinsk."
  • 13Abai's Words of Edification have been translated into Russian, Chinese, French, and many other world languages.
  • 14Mukhtar Auezov remembered some poems he learned from Abai in childhood until old age.

The Growing Number of Abais

According to the Bureau of National Statistics, 18,961 people named Abai are registered in Kazakhstan. Most Abais live in three regions: Astana – 2,186; Turkistan Region – 2,008; Almaty city – 1,740. The oldest Abai in Kazakhstan is 94 years old, and the most common age group is 30-34, with 3,267 Abais in that range. Additionally, there are 37,844 Ibrahims in Kazakhstan, including many spelled "Ibragim" and "Ibrahim."

How Abai Day Was Established

In 2020, the 175th anniversary of Abai Kunanbayev was celebrated under the auspices of UNESCO and TURKSOY. The Zhidebai-Borili State Reserve-Museum was renovated at that time. On August 4, by government decree, Abai's birthday was added to the list of holiday dates.

Today, various events are held annually on Abai's birthday. Kazakhs read the poet's verses and send each other challenges. Hundreds of schools and thousands of streets in Kazakhstan are named after the great poet. In 2022, the Abai Region was established. One city, three districts, and 26 villages bear the thinker's name.

In Kazakhstan, literary and musical evenings, forums, book exhibitions, theater performances, creative competitions, intellectual games, and other events are organized annually for Abai Day. The list of festive events in Astana can be found here.