Architectural landmarks of Akmola region -
History and culture of Burabay National Park (Borovoe) -
Not far from Mount Zheke Batyr, where the steppe wind whispers ancient legends, there is an unusual open-air museum - "Botai-Burabay". This is not just a tourist attraction. This is a place where time seems to have frozen, leaving behind traces of an ancient civilization that lived on these lands more than six thousand years ago. The resort area of Borovoe, also known as Burabay National Park, has long been famous for its natural beauty, but increasingly it is becoming a space for spiritual and historical immersion. Within the framework of the state program "Rukhani Zhangyru" on July 7, 2018, this archaeological and ethnographic complex was created, recreating the life of the unique Botai culture - one of the first on the planet to domesticate the horse and lay the foundation for many traditions of steppe life. Near the museum are such natural attractions as Lake Maloye Chebachye (Small) and Lake Shchuchye. Other attractions touching on the culture and history of the region that are nearby are the square-glade of Abylay Khan where his throne and museum are located and the cave-shelter of Kenesary Khan.
How to get there and visit -
The Ethnographic Museum "Botai Burabay" is located near the city of Shchuchinsk on the Astana - Kokshetau highway, Burabay district, Akmola region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 53°01'21"N 70°06'50"E
Place where the past comes to life -
The Botai Culture Museum "Botai Burabai" occupies an area of 600 square meters, here are reconstructed dwellings, each of which accurately reflects the model of the ancient "Botai house". All of them are connected by passages hidden underground - this is how our ancestors escaped from harsh conditions. The dwellings are built on the basis of pits about a meter deep, with domed roofs made of wood covered with moss, skins and grass. These are the houses that are considered the ancestors of the Kazakh yurt. But it's not just about the shape. Here they managed to convey the spirit of the time. Inside the buildings there are entire scenes from the lives of people who inhabited these lands thousands of years ago. You enter - and find yourself in the past.
From weapons to rituals -
Each of the seven dwellings opens a separate page of history:
in one - primitive weapons and hunting gear
in another - ancient tools
in the third - the secrets of making kumis
in another - a description of the rituals and beliefs of an ancient tribe
And all this is accompanied by figures recreated to the smallest detail: a shaman in ritual attire, a craftsman at work, a leader with a soulful look, a woman busy with preparations. These are not just exhibits - these are scenes from the past that have come to life. The entire reconstruction is based on scientific data - archaeologists and historians have carefully studied each element so that the museum not only looks, but is authentic. There are also real finds raised from the ground during excavations - they have become a link between our time and the Botai era. The project continues to develop. In the future, reconstructions of other historical eras are planned to be created near Botai-Burabai, so that everyone can walk the path through the centuries and see how human civilization developed on Kazakh soil.
Good to know -
The summer season is the best time to visit. Then the museum is open seven days a week, and there is always a guide on site who will take you along the route and give you a tour of the site. In the cold season, visiting is only possible by prior arrangement - there is no heating on the territory, and excursion activity is reduced.
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