Аңдатпа
This research paper offers an ethnological examination of the historical evolution, functional dynamics, and ethnocultural intersections between the Kazakh zhyrau and Turkish aşık traditions. The primary objective is to delineate the shared genesis of both traditions rooted in the archaic ozan archetype, and to identify their distinct ethnocultural profiles through a comparative analysis of their socio-political status, institutional role, and societal functions. The methodology employs a synthesis of comparative-typological, historical-ethnological and textual analysis methods.The findings demonstrate that while both zhyrau and aşık originate from a singular cultural root, divergent historical trajectories led to their institutional transformation within their respective social environments. The Kazakh zhyrau tradition operated primarily as a high-ranking political institution, characterized by statesmanship, diplomatic mediation between the Khan and the populace, strategic advisory role, and the preservation of epic memory. Conversely, the Turkish aşık figure is defined by musical performance accompanied by the saz, master-apprentice transmission, and strong convergence with Sufi mysticism. The paper highlights the institutionalization of the oral tradition, contrasting the political-ideological authority of zhyraus during the Kazakh Khanate with the performance-oriented, Sufi, and courtly contextualizations of aşıks in the Ottoman era. Ultimately, this study provides a comprehensive ethnological perspective on the ethnosocial characteristics, cultural transmission mechanisms, and evolutionary transformations of the shared Turkic spiritual heritage.