The fate of women has always been a relevant topic. Kazakh women had been warriors and wise leaders during times of hardship. History remembers the names of such women. However, over time, the image of the Kazakh woman has changed. These changes were influenced by historical events and their impact on literature. In our study, we focus on the early 20th-century portrayal of women in Kazakh literature, where we observe noticeable transformations in their image. Numerous literary works from the past century have depicted the role of women in society. The transformations in traditional Kazakh society had a direct impact on women’s well-being. Colonial policies in the Kazakh steppe, shifting values, advancements in education and science, the transition to a sedentary lifestyle, and the development of urban culture were key factors defining early 20th-century Kazakh life. All of these social changes were reflected in literature. In this research article, we analyze how the image of women in early 20th-century Kazakh literature evolved. Additionally, we identify the factors that contributed to this shift through an examination of works from that era. We attempt to answer the question: How did colonialism influence the fate, representation, and societal role of Kazakh women? We analyze novels such as Bakytsyz Zhamal by Mirzhakyp Dulatov and Akbilek by Zhusipbek Aimauytov. The study highlights how early 20th-century Kazakh prose underwent thematic, ideological, and genre-based transformations while preserving the core of national thought, ultimately shaping a new image of the Kazakh woman.
Kazakh woman, Kazakh literature, prose, colonialism, female representation