Legends of Bayanaul
Rock formation resembling a stack of turtle shells.
Landscape, Lore, Language
Kazakhstan’s Bayanaul region is home to hundreds of picturesque rock formations, carved by wind and rain, and resembling everything from ships to heroes to a lady’s comb.
The people who live here have traditional stories and beliefs about scores of local landmarks. This oral folklore was passed down for centuries in the Kazakh langage, but with the recent growth of tourism the same stories are now told — by locals and tour guides — in Russian and English, too.
Are these all really the same stories? What happens when an oral legend jumps to a different language, a different culture? Do local storytellers adapt their tales for audiences with a foreign sense of humor, or foreign standards of propriety?
Our team will record, transcribe and compare Bayanaul legends as told in English, Russian and Kazakh. They will also photograph and video the natural features connected to those legends. Bi- or trilingual staff will assist with translation.
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Dates:
July 20, 2025 to July 31, 2026Location:
Bayanaul National Park, KazakhstanExpedition Languages:
English, Russian, Kazakh -
Expected Fee : $3142
Team Size:
4-6 -
Apply By:
April 21, 2026Submit your application. We’ll review and respond with your acceptance status.
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Alevtina Dmitrievna Tsvetkova is a Professor in the Department of Philology at Toraigirov University, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.
Dr.Yelena Minyonok, folklore researcher and author of over 100 academic papers.
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Email:
Please send all digital forms or inquiries to this email.
info@preeef.orgMailing Address:
Partnership for Russian, East European & Eurasian Folklore
11544 23rd Ave. NE
Seattle WA 98125
