Spent a lengthy time re-writing a large bunch of 73 questions, hopefully transforming them from dull minimalist factoids into something that stimulates some interest. The one about Nijat Rahimov I had to change because he had fallen foul of the authorities years after his original success.
Questions
Meaning ‘hundred’ and divided into the senior, middle and junior, which word represents the 3 main divisions of the tribes of Kazakhstan?
ZHUZ / JÜZ
Not to be confused with something you might use in cooking, which Turkic tribe formed a double-barreled confederation in the 1100s with the Kipchak that covered most of Kazakh territory?
CUMAN
Commissioned in the 14th century by Timur, to which Sufi poet is the World Heritage listed mausoleum that lies in the southern city of Turkistan dedicated? Known for his “Book of Wisdom”, he also gives his name to a university in the same city.
(KHOJA) AHMED YASAWI
The IATA code for Turkistan International Airport is designated as HSA, the first two letters standing for what epithet of Ahmed Yasawi where the first word means ‘holy’?
HAZRAT SULTAN
In the 15th century Kazakh War of Independence, under what Mongol dynasty founded by Abu’l Khayr did the Uzbek Khanate try to prevent growing Kazakh influence? Their name comes from Abu’l Khayr’s grandson, who succeeded in capturing Samarkand in the early 16th century.
SHAYBANIDS (From Mohammed Shaybani)
An area of other-worldly landscape where 19th-century Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko was exiled to, what is the name of Kazakhstan’s large peninsula that juts into the Caspian Sea, with the Buzachi peninsula in its northern part being characterised by marshland?
MANGYSHLAK
From 1643 to 1756 the Kazakhs fought a series of wars with which Khanate, who became victims of a genocide conducted by the Qing dynasty during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor? They now number around 650,000 people, mostly in China, Mongolia and Russia.
DZUNGAR
A term that has wider use throughout Islamic history including during the time of Muhammad and the Ottoman Empire, what were the 18th century warriors under the leadership of Abul Khair Khan called that helped the Kazakhs to defeat the Dzungar?
GHAZIS
Apparently having a vocabulary of over 20 phrases, what was the name of the elephant living in a Kazakh zoo that was shown ‘talking’ on Soviet television in 1980? In the Kazakh language the term is used to refer to a ‘brave warrior’, taking two letters away from a similar word used to describe the Slavic heros Dobrynya Nikitich, Ilya Muromets and Alyosha Popovich.
BATYR (That trio being bogatyrs)
Sharing its name with a city in Uzbekistan, which Khanate moved into south-eastern Kazakhstan in the 19th century, going on to have an influential role in the development of Almaty? It can easily be confused with the second largest city in Tajikistan.
KOKAND
Cities on its banks including Pavlodar and Omsk, what is the longest tributary in the world, a river that flows into the Ob?
IRTYSH
The capital of the North Kazakhstan region and home to the football team FC Kyzyljar, which city lies over 250km to the west of Omsk, a city with which it is twinned? Its Russian name is shared with the administrative centre of Kamchatka Krai.
PETROPAVL
Meaning ‘seven rivers’, what ancient name for a region in the south-east of Kazakhstan refers to a group of waterways that flow into Lake Balkhash? Its most important river is the Ili, which has its source in the Tian Shan Mountains.
ZHETYSU
An alternate name being the Tashkent railway, what double-barreled name has been given to a train line that runs through Kazakhstan, its termini being at the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and the Uzbek city of Andijan?
TRANS-ARAL RAILWAY
Its name being a potential synonym of ‘Kazakh’ that was also used for the name of its ruling party, what was the name of the Autonomy that existed in the area of Kazakhstan from 1917 to 1920, a kind of proto-state before Kazakhstan became an SSR?
ALASH AUTONOMY
From an Uzbek word meaning ‘bandits’, what name has been given to a series of engagements conducted by Islamic rebel groups against the Russians from 1916 to 1934 in the Turkestan region?
BASMACHI MOVEMENT
Located less than 300km from the Baikonur cosmodrome and having a name meaning ‘red city’, which settlement in the south of Kazakhstan was capital of the Kazakh ASSR from 1925 to 1927?
KYZYLORDA
The wheat output of northern Kazakhstan being one of its targets, what was the name of Kruschchev’s 1953 plan to improve agricultural production in the Soviet Union?
VIRGIN LANDS CAMPAIGN
Meaning ‘December uprising’ and occurring in 1986, which riots took place in Kazakhstan when Gorbachev replaced leader Dinmukhamed Kunaev with an outsider, Gennady Kolbin?
ZHELTOKSAN
Discovered in 1979 and one of the largest to be found in recent history, which oil field lies in an area of wetlands to the north-east of the Caspian Sea? It is mentioned in the 2005 film “Syriana”.
TENGIZ
Home to bridges that separate Europe from Asia, which city on the Caspian sea lies at the mouth of the Ural river, its location near the Tengiz field leading to a large role in the oil industry?
ATYRAU
A 1990 explosion at a nuclear power plant in which administrative centre of the East Kazakhstan region was recorded in the Guinness World Records for its ‘largest toxic cloud’, with the lovely sounding ingredients including beryllium?
OSKEMEN
Although Lake Baikal is said to be the most ancient lake in the world, which lake in east Kazakhstan could be even older, with some thinking it might even date back to the Cretaceous period?
LAKE ZAYSAN
Sharing its name with a river that runs through it and the corresponding national park, which canyon in the Almaty region has been described as being as impressive as the Grand Canyon, although it is not on the same scale?
CHARYN CANYON
Zhamanshin and Bigach are Kazakh examples of what geographical features, with Bigach estimated to be around 5 million years old? In total there are around 190 of these known on Earth.
IMPACT CRATER
From a name meaning ‘white hill’, which region in Kazakhstan is home to a namesake capital with a population of over 500,000 and has significant industrial output, with phosphorite reserves there being used for fertiliser?
AKTOBE
Just like on Kazakhstan’s flag, the statue above the dome of which presential palace in Astana depicts 32 sun rays and the steppe eagle?
AK ORDA
A term also used in Kyrgyzstan, what Arabic word for ‘ruler’ or ‘governor’ is given to the head of a regional government in Kazakhstan? It is a variation of one of the 99 names of God in Islam, with an additional letter usually being added to the front and meaning something like ‘the wise’ or ‘one with sound judgment’.
AKIM (The name being Hakim)
China having a stake and only discovered in 2000, which oil field in the northern part of the Caspian Sea is one the largest in the world?
KASHAGAN
Lying in the Akmola region less than 300km from Astana, which national park located in the Kokshetau Massif is known for its lakes and has been called the ‘pearl of Kazakhstan’?
BURABAY
Initiated in 2014 by Nursultan Nazarbayev and having a name meaning ‘bright path’, what is the economic plan focusing on infrastructure development that has goals including making Kazakhstan a Eurasian transport hub?
NURLY ZHOL
Mostly found in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, what term is used for an Islamic people of Hui origin, with the Hui being one of over 50 ethnic minority groups recognised by China as making up part of their population?
DUNGAN
Composed of two Korean words, one referring to the country and the second meaning ‘people’, what double-barreled term has been given to Koreans living in the ex-Soviet states?
KORYO-SARAM
Completed in the 1900s and known by either the surname of its designer or an event in Christian history, which cathedral in Almaty that is built without nails is one of the tallest wooden churches in the world?
ASCENSION / ZENKOV CATHEDRAL
A type of long-necked lute, which instrument associated with Kazakhstan now gives its name to a party that was started by Kazakh bloggers in the 2010s, with some of the events having been attended by thousands of its players?
DOMBRA / DOMBYRA
Also penning the libretto to the opera “Abai”, which Kazakh wrote the four volume historical epic work “Abay Zholy”? Both focus on the life of 19th-century Kazakh poet Abai Qunanbaiuly, who is popularly known by just the shorter of those two names.
MUKHTAR AUEZOV
Some of the many things named after him include a technical university in Almaty and a main-belt asteroid. Particularly known for his success in finding mineral deposits, which Kazakh geologist gives his surname to a satellite town of the Jezkazgan mining city, with the Kengir labour camp featured in “The Gulag Archipelago” linked to the industrial activities that took place in that region?
KANYSH SATPAYEV
Trips to Astana can take in a museum dedciated to which Kazakh poet and literature pioneer, whose calls for greater independence from the Soviets resulted in his execution in 1938?
SAKEN SEIFULLIN
Written works lacking because of the ad hoc nature of their trade, what term is used for a poet and singer in Kazakh and Krygyz culture that has the distinguishing feature of using improvisation at part of their performance? Despite this making on to UNESCO’s Intantible Heritage list, only Kyrgyzstan has been credited.
AQYN / AKYN
Similar to kefir though their preparations differ in that this has a liquid fermentation starter rather than a solid one, what drink that is part of Kazakh culture is made from mare’s milk or donkey milk?
KUMIS
Identifiable as part of the Kazakh dish often made of horsemeat and noodles, what is the Kazakh word for the number five?
BES (The dish being Beshbarmak)
Located in the Zhetysu area of Kazakhstan near Lake Balkhash, what name has been given to an archaeological landscape which is home to petroglyphs that have been inscribed on the World Heritage list?
TAMGALY
Having a name meaning ‘yellow range’, what name is given to the steppe and lakes of North Kazakhstan that have made it on to UNESCO’s World Heritage list? Fauna to look out for include flamingos and the critically endangered saiga antelope.
SARYARKA
Its name meaning ‘white burial’, which Kazakh region completely surrounds the capital of Astana? This is where the pine tree infested Burabay National Park can be found.
AKMOLA
Situated on Lake Kopa, which capital of Kazakhstan’s Akmola region shares the name of a nearby mountain that is the highest point in its massif and can be found within Burabay National Park?
KOKSHETAU (Tau meaning ‘mountain’, which can also be rendered as Mount Kokshe)
Almaty is at the foot of which mountain range that is the northernmost part of the Tian Shan and home to Peak Robeson, which was named after the African-American blacklisted entertainer who promoted co-operation between the US and USSR?
ILE ALATAU / TRANS ILE-ALATAU
An anagram of a word that would suggest someone is a devil worshipper, what name has been used historically for a Cossack village? Similar words in various Slavic languages might be used to indicate some kind of station.
STANITSA
Changing its name to Alma-Ata in 1921, what other name was previously used for the city of Almaty after a fort that was constructed by the Russians during the 19th-century?
VERNY
Accompanying her husband during his exiles, one of which involved a stay in Almaty, what was the name of Leon Trotsky’s second wife? Sons Lev and Sergei took their surname from their mother, both dying years before their father during Stalin’s ferocious purges of the 1930s.
NATALIA SEDOVA
Known as the ‘factory of records’, which high mountain skating rink in Kazakhstan is known for its thin air and high quality ice that lead to ideal conditions for top performance in sports like speed skating?
MEDEU
Named for the commander of a division of 28 guardsmen who allegedly perished while taking down multiple German tanks during the Battle of Moscow, which park in Almaty is home to the nailless Ascension Cathedral?
PANFILOV
The only Kazakh club to ever play in the Soviet Top League, which three time winners of the Kazakhstan Premier League come from Almaty? Their most recent title was in 2020.
FC KAIRAT
Having previously served a two-year doping suspension, which Kazakh athlete returned to defeat Nigeria’s Gloria Alozie to win gold in the 100m hurdles at the Sydney Olympics?
OLGA SHISHIGINA
Capital of the Almaty region from 1997 to 2022, which city now has a similar status in the newly created Jetysu region? Their football team FC Zhetysu has a best placed finish of 2nd in the Kazakh Premier League from 2011, when they lost out to Karagandy based Shakhter despite leading after the first stage of the competition.
TALDYKORGAN
Part of a basin with the much larger Lake Balkhash, which UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a salty lake that is shared by the Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions near the border with China?
ALAKOL
What was the first name of the mid-19th century born akyn who had the surname Jabayev, this providing the name of the region that has Taraz as its capital, a city famous for a 751 battle where the Abbasid Caliphate defeated the Tang dynasty?
JAMBYL / ZHAMBYL (It was the Battle of Talas)
Unknown why it was abandoned, the mysterious ancient settlement of Kent can be found in which Kazakh national park of the Karaganda region? Other sites include Lake Shaitankol, which has a legend of a tragic love story, and Zhirensakal Peak, the abode of the Lord of Underground Wealth.
KARKARALY
Having a namesake capital that is home to two-time Kazakh Premier League champions FC Tobol, which region lies to the west of Akmola and North Kazakhstan on the border with Russia?
KOSTANAY
Its name coming from the Persian for ‘lion’s castle’ and described as looking like a yurt, which distinctive peak with a white limestone streak lies in the Mangystau region near the Caspian Sea?
SHERKALA
Dying in the 18th century during the Dzungar Wars, which Kazakh mythic hero is said to have a spirit that guards Bayanaul national park in the Pavlodar region, with a lake there that is popular with tourists also taking the warrior’s name?
JASYBAY
Located close to the Russian border, which capital of the West Kazakhstan region takes its name from the river that it lies on, this being commonly spelt with with a different first letter?
ORAL (The river is the Ural)
Appropriately an anagram of a synonym for ‘small’, what is the Kazakhstani Tenge divided into?
TIYN
Often known by just his first name, which 19th-century folk music artist who played the dombra is buried in a sizable mausoleum in the Astrakhan Oblast of Russia? Repeatedly imprisoned, his works include “Saryarka”, a piece evoking the sounds of the Kazakh landscape.
KURMANGAZY / KURMANGAZY SAGYRBAYULY
Admired by his friend Fyodor Dostoyevsky, which Kazakh scholar and historian was the first person to record the Epic of Manas, calling the Kyrgyz classic the ‘Iliad of the Steppe’?
CHOKAN WALIKHANOV
Practised by Baluans and listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list, what traditional Kazakh wrestling sees its top practioners compete at the annual Barysy?
KURESI
Having a name meaning ‘nine sheep droppings’ and featured in the World Nomad Games, which traditional game in the mancala family is popular in Kazakhstan?
TOGUZ KORGOOL
Later competing for Australia at the 2004 Olympics, which man had eight years earlier topped the podium in Atlanta when he won Modern Pentathlon gold for Kazakhstan?
ALEXANDER PARYGIN
Born in Kyrgyzstan, which man won Greco-Roman wrestling gold for Kazakhstan at the 1996 Olympics in the bantamweight class, not having as much success four years later when he went up to featherweight?
YURIY MELNICHENKO
Russian-born Alla Vazhenina won a 2008 Olympic gold for Kazakhstan in which sport? Nijat Rahimov is another Kazakh competitor who topped the 2016 podium in this sport, but he was stripped of his gold medal in 2022.
WEIGHTLIFTING
In a race where less than a second separated the entire field in the final, who won 200m breaststroke gold for Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympics?
DMITRIY BALANDIN
Sharing his name with a politician who was a victim of Joseph Stalin’s Great Purge, which cross country skier won Olympic gold for Kazakhstan at the 50km distance? This was one of seven medals in total, the first three being under the banner of the Soviet Union.
VLADIMIR SMIRNOV
Almaty lost out by 44 votes to 40 in the bid to host which year’s Winter Olympics?
2022 (Beijing)
The FIS is a confederation that represents which sport, with the World Championships for one of its disciplines taking place in Almaty in 2021? Victors included Canadian Mikaël Kingsbury and Swede Sandra Näslund.
SKIING (The freestyle discipline)
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