Culture of Leisure of Men and Women in the 18th –20th Centuries and Modern Kazakh Society: A Comparative Analysis

Khamza Smagul, Dana Zharkimbayeva, Raushan Daribayeva, Ulduz Saparova and Kulziya Tolegenova

Published: 2025/12/01

Abstract

This research contributes to the understanding of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan by studying the evolution of gender-divided leisure practices of Kazakh society from the 18th century to the present, a time of deep social transformations. The aim of the work is a comparative analysis of leisure practices among men and women in Kazakh society, revealing the changes that occurred under the influence of external factors and modernization processes. The methodological basis of this research is the historical-comparative approach, which involves analysing ethnographic sources, archival data, and modern research to systematise and compare data on traditional and modern forms of leisure. The results show that in traditional Kazakh society, leisure culture was deeply connected to the nomadic lifestyle, where men’s leisure time predominantly included physical activities and women’s leisure time was centred on domestic crafts and family festivals. The influence of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union led to a transformation in these practices, including the emergence of new social forms of leisure, such as sports sections, clubs, and cultural activities in which women began to actively participate. In modern Kazakhstan, there is an integration of traditional and modern activities where both men and women can engage in a variety of leisure activities, from fitness to participation in ethno-festivals, reflecting both the modernization of society and a return to national roots. The findings of the paper confirm that leisure culture has become more universal, offering a wide range of opportunities for self-expression while strengthening gender equality.

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