RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN

Alikhan Shakenov

RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The article examines the formation of local collective memory through street renaming in rural Kazakhstan since independence. The empirical basis consists of official decisions made by local executive (akimat) and representative (maslikhat) bodies. The aim of the study is to identify the features of the emerging toponymic landscape and its influence on local communities in the context of nation-building. The methodology is based on quantitative and comparative analysis of temporal dynamics, regional distribution, and the structure of old and new place names. The findings reveal a transition from the Soviet ideological canon to a nationally oriented system of symbols: names associated with Soviet figures are most frequently replaced, while new toponyms reflect the Kazakh historical and cultural narrative. The study concludes that street renaming in Kazakhstan constitutes a managed process of symbolic reconfiguration in which rural areas play a key role in consolidating a new national identity.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study did not require approval from an ethics committee as it did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data. All data used in this research were obtained from publicly available sources.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Human Geography (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Alikhan Shakenov ^* This is me
0009-0009-7575-6412
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

July 29, 2026

Submission Date

March 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 7, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Shakenov, A. (2026). RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN. Eurasian Research Journal, 8(3), 278-296. https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW

AMA

1.Shakenov A. RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN. ERJ. 2026;8(3):278-296. https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW

Chicago

Shakenov, Alikhan. 2026. “RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN”. Eurasian Research Journal 8 (3): 278-96. https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW.

EndNote

Shakenov A (July 1, 2026) RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN. Eurasian Research Journal 8 3 278–296.

IEEE

[1]A. Shakenov, “RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN”, ERJ, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 278–296, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW

ISNAD

Shakenov, Alikhan. “RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN”. Eurasian Research Journal 8/3 (July 1, 2026): 278-296. https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW.

JAMA

1.Shakenov A. RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN. ERJ. 2026;8:278–296.

MLA

Shakenov, Alikhan. “RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 278-96, https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW.

Vancouver

1.Alikhan Shakenov. RENAMING THE PAST: TOPONYMIC CHANGE AND NATION-BUILDING IN RURAL KAZAKHSTAN. ERJ [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;8(3):278-96. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA87XN47RW