Abstract
In Kazakh traditional culture, fabric names carried profound symbolic meaning alongside their utilitarian function. Historical records and folklore preserve numerous fabric terms like jibek (silk), maqpal (velvet), qamqa (brocade), etc., which signified social status and spiritual values. Aim and Objectives to catalogue the traditional Kazakh names of fabrics, study their origins and occurrences in folklore, anthroponymy, and rituals, and propose measures for reviving these obsolete terms. A comprehensive analysis of ethnographic, linguistic, and historical sources was conducted. By comparing data from XIX–XX centuries dictionaries and research, the etymology and semantics of fabric terms were elucidated. Folklore texts (epics, proverbs) were examined to understand the usage of fabric names in cultural contexts. The Kazakh language historically possessed an extremely rich vocabulary of fabric names. These terms emerged based on the type and quality of material, its origin, and its cultural use. In folklore, such terms played a key role in imagery: for instance, the hero’s name in «Kyz - Zhibek» epitomizes idealized female beauty and tenderness associated with fine silk. Several feminine given names (Zhibek, Maqpal, Torghyn, Duriya, Kulpyu, Batsaiyu, Kamka, Shyga and etc.) were derived from precious fabrics, serving as poetic metaphors that elevated a daughter’s value. In rituals, fabrics (zhyrtys, jaulyk and e.g.) symbolized peace offerings, respect and blessings. In modern usage, however, many of these terms have fallen out of use and have been replaced by foreign words. The traditional Kazakh fabric lexicon is a valuable heritage. Revitalizing these terms requires reintroducing historical names into scholarly and everyday use, promoting them through education and cultural programs, and developing Kazakh equivalents for contemporary textiles. Such efforts will strengthen the language’s historical continuity and preserve an important aspect of cultural identity.