Lecture by the researcher of Charles University (Czech Republic) at the Center for Regional Studies

On April 21, 2026, Gulzhan Dos’shanova, a researcher of the Institute of Ethnology, Central European and Balkan Studies at Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic), gave a lecture “Transformation of Rituals using the example of Kazakh funeral Rituals” at the Center for Regional Studies at Turan University.

Based on the results of her research, G. Dos’shanova considered how Kazakh funeral rites, which are the most conservative element of culture, underwent changes in Soviet society, and currently their further transformation is taking place in the context of globalization.

The lectures discussed research methods and theoretical approaches to the study of ritual culture, and showed the features of modern funeral rituals, which acquire new elements due to urbanization and geo-economic changes. The lecture aroused great interest among the students of Turan University, who took an active part in the discussion about the traditions and customs of the Kazakhs and the transformation of funeral rituals.

Gulzhan Dos’shanova, an expert in cultural anthropology at Charles University of Prague, was a participant in the conferences of the Central Eurasian Studies Society (CESS) held at Turan University in 2024 and at the University of Lisbon (Portugal) in 2025.