Museum of the Village Ülken – Naryn
The Ulken-Naryn Village Museum is an important cultural and educational institution located in the village of Ulken-Naryn in the Katon-Karagai District of the East Kazakhstan Region. The museum operates with the goal of preserving, studying, and popularizing the rich historical, natural, and ethnographic heritage of the region. Its activities are aimed at the systematic research of the district’s socio-cultural development and the transmission of this knowledge to future generations.
The museum was established in the 1980s at the initiative of local residents, local historians, and teachers. Since its founding, the institution’s primary mission has been the comprehensive collection, preservation, and scholarly study of the natural features and historical-cultural values of the Katon-Karagai area. The first exhibits were collected with the active support of the local population and formed the foundation of the museum’s collection. The museum is housed in one of the village’s historic buildings, which previously served as an administrative facility. In subsequent years, the building was renovated, and favorable conditions were created for displaying exhibits. Despite its small size, the museum offers a rich and content-rich exhibition space.
The museum’s structure includes several thematic halls, each dedicated to specific aspects of the historical and cultural heritage of the Katon-Karagai region:
1. The Nature Hall - showcases the flora and fauna of the Katon-Karagai National Park, as well as the geographical and geological features of the area. This section highlights the region’s natural wealth and ecological significance.
2. The Archaeology and Ancient History Hall - contains replicas of archaeological finds from the Berel burial mounds, artifacts from the Saka and Hun periods, and household items discovered during excavations of ancient settlements. The exhibition traces the legacy of nomadic civilizations of antiquity.
3. The Ethnographic Hall - features a model of a yurt, national costumes, household items, tools, and examples of folk crafts that reflect the traditional lifestyle of the Kazakh people. This hall reveals the ethnic identity of the local population.
The museum’s collection contains over 2,000 items, including historical documents, photographs, personal archival materials, and archaeological and ethnographic objects. Museum staff actively collaborate with local schools and cultural institutions, conduct regional research, publish scholarly articles, and organize educational tours and outreach programs.
The Ulken-Naryn Museum is not merely an exhibition space, but a center that revives the historical memory of the local community, fostering patriotism and national identity. It makes a significant contribution to instilling a love for the homeland among the younger generation, strengthening historical awareness, and cultivating cultural identity.