Jüz

A juz (жүз) is one of the three main territorial divisions in the Desht-i Kypchak that covers much of the contemporary Kazakhstan. Variably, a juz is believed to be a confederation or alliance of Kazakh nomads. Kazakhs believe in a common ancestor, the three sons of whom, according to legends were the founders of the three juz.

Contemporary Kazakh clans

The meaning and origins of the Jüz formations have been subject to different interpretations. Some researchers argued that originally juz corresponded to tribal, military alliances of steppe nomads that emerged around mid-16th century after the disintegration of the Kazakh Khanate. Others proposed that juz are geographical ecological zones separated by natural boundaries. Nomads adopted to these geographical zones and developed nomadic migration routes within the natural boundaries. According to Kazakh legends the three juz originated from the children and grandchildren of the three sons of the mythical forefather of Kazakhs. Another version of the legend asserts that the three juz were the territorial inheritances of the three sons of the mythical founder father. In Kazakh language juz means hundred or face, in Arabic juz refers to section, division.

Historically, the Great juz (Ulı Juz; ), or the Great Horde, nomads inhabited the northern lands of the former Chagatai Ulus of the Mongol Empire, in the Ili River and Chu River basins, in today's South-Eastern Kazakhstan and China's Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (northern Xinjiang). Ulu Juz was also called Uysun Orda. Ulu Juz nomads were known for their skills in cattle-breeding and animal husbandry.

The Middle juz (Орта жүз, Orta Jüz; ), or the Middle Horde, nomads nomadized in the eastern lands of the former Juchi Ulus, in Central, Northern, and Eastern Kazakhstan. Orta Juz was also known as Argyn Orda. Many of Kazakhstan's famous poets and intellectuals, including Abai Kunanbai, Akhmet Baitursunov, Chokan Valikhanov, Alikhan Bokeikhanov were born in Orta Juz territories. The Junior juz (Kişi Jüz; ), or the Lesser Horde, nomads occupied the lands of the former Nogai Khanate in Western Kazakhstan. Kishi Juz was also called Alshin Orda. They were known for their fierce warriors. ach Horde or Jüz contains a number of clans (ry) which share a presumed geneaology of forefathers going back to the presumed ancestor. Each clan is divided into smaller groups down to the smallest lineage. As Kazaks practice exogamy, each individual is expected to know his ancestors up to the seventh forefather (Byr Ata). Marriage within Byr Ata was considered to be incest taboo.

Great (or Senior) Juz

There have been several attempts to determine the exact names and nature of top level clans throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, different studies created vastly different names and population numbers for the steppe clans. Although disputed, generally accepted names of the first order Ulu Juz clans, or Uisun clans are: