Literary and Memorial Historical Reserve – Museum named after M. Otemisuly

The "Makhambet Utemisov Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve" branch, part of the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, was originally established in 2007 as a local history museum at the Makhambet Secondary School in the Inder District of Atyrau Region. This local museum was later reorganized into the "Makhambet Utemisov Literary and Memorial Museum." In January 2021, the "Makhambet Utemisov Historical Reserve" and the "Literary and Memorial Museum of M. Utemisov" were merged and now operate under the unified name "Makhambet Utemisov Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve."

The reserve is located on the Karoy Plateau, 40 kilometers from the village of Zharsuat in the Inder District of Atyrau Region. Established in 1992, the reserve covers an area of 0.96 hectares. The grave of Makhambet was discovered in 1958 by Kurak Bekturganov, a resident of the Taipak District in the Ural (now West Kazakhstan) Region. In 1959, a monument to the poet was erected based on a design by B.M. Novikov. In 1966, anthropologist N. Shayakhmetov and Doctor of Medical Sciences K. Abisatov exhumed Makhambet’s remains for scientific purposes. Seventeen years later, in 1983, the poet’s remains were ceremonially reburied. In 1995, a mausoleum with 12 domes was constructed based on a design by architect K. Demesinov. This mausoleum is included in the list of monuments of republican significance.

The museum itself is located within the Makhambet Secondary School building in the village of Zharsuat and occupies an area of 54 square meters. The museum’s collection holds 159 exhibits and features one exhibition hall.

The main purpose of the museum is to preserve and protect this historical monument, provide information about the poet’s life and his mausoleum to visitors paying tribute to Makhambet’s memory, and to organize literary events and educational activities. Systematic work is carried out to expand the museum’s collection with new, previously unknown materials. Connections have been established with scholars studying Makhambet’s legacy, as well as with recipients of the Makhambet Prize and their families, whose works have been donated to the museum’s collection.

The museum’s exhibition hall features materials on the biography and genealogy of Makhambet Utemisov, exhibits dedicated to Zhangir Khan and Isatay Taimanov, and the history of the discovery and reburial of Makhambet’s remains. Visitors can also explore showcases detailing the creation of Makhambet’s kyuis (musical compositions) and information about the recipients of the prize named in his honor.