In 1000 AD, the people of Kazakhstan were mainly nomadic Turkic tribes. They lived by herding animals such as horses, sheep, and camels, moving across the steppe in search of pasture. Hunting and gathering supplemented their diet, while trade along the Silk Road connected them to distant civilizations. Skilled craftsmen produced weapons, clothing, and yurts. Society was organized into tribes led by khans, with frequent conflicts between groups. Horses were essential for transport, warfare, and daily life, shaping the nomadic way of living.
In 1000 AD, Kazakhstan was a land of diverse peoples, cultures, and landscapes. At this time, the territory of present-day Kazakhstan was not a unified state but was inhabited by various nomadic groups, as well as settled communities along the trade routes.
Nomadic Lifestyle:
The majority of the population in Kazakhstan during this period were nomadic herders. They relied on cattle, sheep, and horses for their livelihood, moving seasonally to find grazing lands. The nomadic tribes lived in yurts, portable tent-like structures made from felt, which allowed them to move easily with their herds. Horses played a central role in their culture, providing transportation, food, and materials for clothing and tools.
In the year 1000, the territory of modern Kazakhstan was inhabited by Turkic nomadic peoples such as the Kimaks and Kipchaks. Their way of life was closely connected with livestock herding, which shaped their daily life, diet, and economy. They roamed the steppes, lived in yurts, bred horses, sheep, cattle, and camels, and engaged in trade along the Silk Road.
In the 11th century, both nomadic and settled peoples lived in the territory of Kazakhstan. The nomads (Kipchaks, Oghuz) built yurts—portable, felt-insulated dwellings. The settled inhabitants of cities like Otrar and Taraz built houses from clay and bricks with thick walls and ovens (tandyrs). Nomads were engaged in livestock herding, while city dwellers focused on crafts and trade.
In the 1000s, the ancestors of the Kazakhs—Kimeks, Kipchaks, Oghuz, and other Turkic tribes—led a nomadic lifestyle and lived in yurts. The yurt was convenient for nomads: it was easy to assemble and disassemble, providing protection from heat and cold.
During winter, nomads sometimes used dugouts or insulated yurts at wintering sites (qystau). In cities like Taraz, Otrar, and Isfijab, the sedentary population built mud-brick houses.
Thus, the yurt was the primary dwelling, but depending on the season and location, dugouts and mud-brick buildings were also used.
