The Kimak tribe lived on the territory of Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan during the advanced Middle Ages. Unfortunately, modern historians have few written sources about the origin of this tribe. All the news about kimaks belongs to the arabographic Muslim tradition. The following authors wrote about kimaks: al-Yakubi (Kitab al-bukhdan), Ibn al-Faqih (Kitab akhbar al-bukhdan), al-Istakhri (Kitab masalik al-mamalik), the unknown author of Hudud al-alam, al-Idrisi (Nuzhat al-mushtaq), al-Khorezmi (Kitab mafatih al-ulum), Mahmud al-Kashgari (Divan lugat at-turk), Ibn Khordadbek (Kitab al-masalik wa-mamalik), Ibn Said (Kitab jufil-akalim as-saba), al-Masudi (Kitab at-tanbih wal-ishraf), Ibn Sayd (Kitab bast al-ard fit-tul val-ard), etc.
The very first mention of Kimaks in written sources was the testimony of the Arab traveler Tamim ibn Bahr al-Muttawa’i, who, according to the orientalist V.F. Minorsky, visited the Uighur Khaganate located in Mongolia around 821.
Tamim ibn Bahr al-Muttawa’i, describing the Turkic countries of the region, writes that «the country is very cold and it is possible to travel there [only] 6 months a year.»
Tamim ibn Bahr al-Muttawa’i wrote: «To the right of the city of the Tokuz-Oguz king is the country of the Turks, with whom others do not mix, to the left of it is the country of the Kimeks, and in front of them is the country of Sin» [1].
If you decipher these words in detail, it turns out that the country of Xing is China. The Tokuz-Oguz king is the khagan of the Uighur khaganate. The Kimaks live to the left of the Uighurs, that is, in 821, the Kimaks are recorded as a tribe living in Eastern Mongolia.
One of the main works on the early history of the Kimaks is the work of Gardizi. Abu Sa’id Abd al-Haya b. Zahhak Gardizi wrote a scientific work entitled «The Decoration of News» (3ayn al-akhbar) during the reign of the Ghaznavid Sultan Abd ar-Rashid (1050-1053). It mentions the kimaki, as well as the legend of their origin.:
«The origin of the kimaks is this. The chief of the Tatars died and left two sons; the eldest son took over the kingdom, the youngest became jealous of his brother; the name of the youngest was Shad. He made an attempt on his elder brother’s life, but unsuccessfully; fearing for himself, he took a slave mistress with him, ran away from his brother and arrived at a place where there was a large river, many trees and an abundance of game; there he pitched a tent and settled down. Every day, this man and the slave went out hunting together, ate game meat and made themselves clothes from the fur of sables, squirrels and ermines. After that, 7 people from Tatar relatives came to them: Imi, Imek, Tatar, Bayander, Kipchak, Lanikaz and Ajlad. These people tended the herds of their masters; in the places where there had been herds, there were no pastures left; looking for grass, they came in the direction where the Shad was located. When the slave saw them, she came out and said, «Irtysh,» i.e., «stop,» hence the river was named Irtysh.… When they arrived there, they greeted the School of Data Analysis as their superior and began to honor him. Other people, having heard this news, also began to come [here]; 700 people gathered. They remained in the service of the School of Data Analysis for a long time.; Then, when they multiplied, they scattered over the mountains and formed seven tribes named after the seven people.»
The leader of the Kimaks of that time was named Shad. In fact, shad is a secondary title in the Turkic Khaganate and in other khaganates.
A shad was usually referred to as the ruler of a certain domain, an area within the Khaganate. The legend also says that the Kimaks appeared after separating from the majority of the people, who remained living under the leadership of their elder brother Shad. It is also said that the Kimaks came to the Irtysh and settled there. Most likely, given the information provided by Tamim ibn Bahr al-Muttawa’i, the Kimaks came to the Irtysh from the east (Eastern Mongolia) between the 830s (after Tamim ibn Bahr al-Muttawa’i traveled) and the 1000s (before Gardizi wrote his work). The famous Kazakh orientalist B.E. Kumekov believes that after 840, the Kimaks were joined by tribes that came from the Uighur Khaganate. In 840, the Uighur Khaganate collapsed under the blows of the Kyrgyz Khaganate, and six of the previously listed tribes from the Gardizi message joined the Kimaks who lived on the Irtysh.
In fact, there are three points of view about the origin of kimaks.
- The well-known Kazakh orientalist B.E. Kumekov put forward a version about the identity of the Kimaks (Yemeks) and the Yanmo tribe of Kazakh recorded in Chinese sources. Indeed, Yanmo may be one of the variants of writing the ethnonym Yemek. According to Chinese data, the Yanmo lived in Northwestern Mongolia, in the Kobdo River basin, at the beginning of the 7th century. According to B.E. Kumekov, in the middle of the 7th century, the Yanmo (Imeks) migrated north of the Altai Mountains and into the Irtysh region. In his opinion, the separation of this tribe occurred after the collapse of the Western Turkic Khaganate in 656 in this territory.
Further, B.E. Kumekov believes that in the second half of the 8th century-the beginning of the 9th century, the Kimek tribes were moving in the following directions:
a. North-west to the Southern Urals
b. Southwest to Syrdarya and Southern Kazakhstan
V. South. To the borders of Northeastern Kazakhstan and Semirechye [2].
Next, B.E. Kumekov presents his version of the Kimak story. In 840, the Kimaks were joined from the east by three tribes: Bayandur, Tatars, and Imi (B.E. Kumekov identifies them with the Oguz Eymur tribe), who fled after the fall of the Uighur khaganate. After that, the Kimak ruler assumed the title of yabgu[3].
- The Russian researcher L.N. Gumilev put forward a version according to which he identifies the Kimaks with the Chui tribe of Chumugun [4]. As you know, the Chumugun is a tribe whose ancestors were part of the Xiongnu state of Yueban (Chuban), which existed in the Semirechye region from 160 AD to 490 AD.
- Akhinzhanov S.M. cited reports by the Arab traveler Tamim Ibn Bahr, who recorded Kimaks east of the Uighur Khaganate [5], as well as al Idrisi’s data that it was a 6-day journey from the Ocean to the Kimak capital [6]. He also cited the data of Ibn Yakut, who claimed that the Kimaks bordered Chin (China). [7]. M.F. Minorsky also wrote about this, saying that the widespread localization of the Uighurs of the time of Tamim ibn Bahr in Turfan was erroneous [8]. In the 20s of the 9th century, the Uighurs still lived in the steppes of Mongolia. As Akhinzhanov S.M. wrote: «Kimaks on the Irtysh are noted only by late sources – Gardizi, the anonymous author Hudud al Alam»[9].
Akhinzhanov S.M. puts forward his original theory, proving that the Kimaks are the Kai or Kumosi (Si, Chi) people known from other sources from Chinese sources [10], and the Yemeks have no relation to the Kimaks [11]. The only serious drawback of S.M. Akhinzhanov’s concept is that Mahmud Kashgari mentions two peoples together: Yemeki and Kai. This forces Akhinzhanov S.M. to put forward a mini-thesis that Yemeki and Kimaki are different peoples. That is, according to his point of view, kimaki is kai, and yemeki is not kimaki. This point of view is refuted logically (kimaki and Yemeki are nowhere mentioned in parallel in the primary sources). In addition, the Kimaks and Kai as separate peoples are indicated by Muhammad Shebangarai in his work Majma al-Ansab [12].
In the main thesis about the identity of Kumosi and Kimaks, Akhinzhanov S.M. has quite a lot of arguments. Proving his main thesis about the identity of Kimaks and Kumosi (Kai), Akhinzhanov S.M. cites similar opinions of Grigoriev V.V., Pellio P., Menges K.G., Minorsky V.F., Vasilevich G.M., Tugolukov V.A. [13]. Zuev Yu.A. also wrote about the kimaks of Inner Mongolia and the kimaks on the Irtysh [14]. Pilipchuk Ya.V. also supported the point of view about the origin of Kimaks from Kumosi [15].
As N.I. Bichurin wrote in the chapter «Additions about the people of Chi, otherwise Kumokhi» (translated from Xin Tangshu): «The Khitans strengthened and the Khis were unable to resist, which is why they submitted to them. The Khitan brutally controlled them. The Khisans were indignant, and their elder Kuizhu, with one (separate) generation, succumbed to China. He established himself at Gui-Jeu near the northern mountains, and thus the Khisans were divided into eastern and western»[16]. In Liao Shi, the western and eastern Xi stood out. Most likely, this indirectly proves the identity of Western Kumosi and Kimaks. The Kumosi were divided into the eastern, who submitted to the Khitans, and the western, who went to the Irtysh and Altai. This fits well with the legend of the School of Data Analysis from Gardisi. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine the time of separation based on this information, but it most likely happened in the 10th century.
Bichurin N.Ya. wrote about both Chi and Bai (white) Si [17]. Klyashtorny S.G. notes that in addition to the Si people, there was also the Turkic-speaking White Si people, who were part of the Soviet union of tribes [18]. He further identifies the Kays with these white Si [19]. We can focus on this point in more detail. Indeed, in Chinese sources we see references to both the Xi tribe and the White Xi, who were part of the Soviet union of tribes. Malyavkin A.G. writes that the Kumosi (abbreviated Si) roamed in the valley of the Laohahe River. Other (white) Si (Tatabs) lived to the north of them. The Kumosi consisted of 5 tribes [20]. According to one list: Ahui, Chuhe, Aoshi, Duji, Yuanxi. According to the second list: Zhuhevan, Mohefu, Qige, Mukun, Shide [21]. The White Si, according to Malyavkin A.G., lived east of the Bayyrku tribe, in Chinese sources they were previously also referred to as Didouyu, and in Turkic as Tatabs. Didouyu is the Chinese transcription of the name Tataba. The Bai Xi (White Xi) were divided into three groups: Juyan, Uzhomo, and Huangshui [22]. Due to the influence of L.N. Gumilev, it was generally assumed that the Khi and the Tatabs were one and the same tribe [23].
Tugolukov V.A. wrote: The Kumosi»(chi, si) included both Xiongnu and Donghu ethnic elements, that is, they occupied an intermediate position between the early Turkic- and Mongolian-speaking groups» [24]. Bichurin N.Ya. wrote that the Kumohs (Chi) came from the Yuwen house, which belonged to the Donghu [25]. L.N. Gumilev writes that Yuwen was ruled by elected Xiongnu elders from the Yuwen Shanyu clan [26]. Viktorova L.L. wrote that the Yuwen were descendants of the Xianbians, who were submissive to the Xiongnu and related to the Khitans. Moreover, the Yuwen had rulers from the Xiongnu Shanyu clan [27]. According to Viktorova L.L. The Yuwen are the ancestors of the Chi (Tatabi), and those, in turn, are the ancestors of the Ulyankh (Eastern Uriankhai) [28]. In the Liao Shi, Yuwen is mentioned separately from the Kumosi and Khitan. As is known, 100,000 Hun caravans submitted to the Xianbians and «adopted the folk name Xianbi» [29]. It is quite possible that geographically the Xianbian tribes of Yuwen (later Kumosi) closest to the Xiongnu adopted a large number of Xiongnu, assimilating part of it. The linguistically unassimilated part of the Xiongnu became the basis of such a tribe as the White Xi (Bai Xi), which were part of the Chinese tribes.
The Kimaki are the Kumosi and Yemeki known from the Chinese chronicles according to Mahmud Kashgari, and the Kai are the White Xi (Bai Xi) and Didouyu (Tatabs) known from the Chinese chronicles.
Thus, it can be argued that the Kimaks migrated from eastern Mongolia in the late 9th-10th centuries. The Kimaki are part of the Kumosi (Kumohi) tribe. As you know, the Kumokhi (Kumosi) tribe arose from a mixture of two peoples: the Turkic-speaking Xiongnu and the Mongolian-speaking Xianbis. On the basis of this mixing, the Yuwen domain arose, whose descendants later formed the Kumosi (Kumohi) people. It was from this people that a separate part stood out, which went to the Irtysh.
As noted by al-Idrisi [30], the king of the Kimaks was one of the strongest monarchs in terms of power. Al Idrisi noted that the Kimaks were a numerous people. It was noted that fire worshippers and Manichaeans (the Iranian religion practiced in the Uighur Khaganate) lived among them. It was also noted that Kimaks live among dense forests and lead a nomadic lifestyle. It is an 81-day journey from the city of Taraz to the headquarters of the Kimak Khan through deserts and lands belonging to the Karluks.
Al Idrisi notes that the Kimak country is large, and the lands there are fertile and cultivated. According to him, the Kimaks are bordered to the south by the Uighurs who live in East Turkestan and the Karluks, and to the east by the «sea of Darkness.» Al Idrisi’s climate is well described. According to him, strong winds and rains are common in the Kimak Khaganate, and snow lies in the mountains both in winter and summer.
Al Idrisi mentioned 16 Kimak cities, naming the following cities: the city of the king, called Khakan (Khakan, the ruler of the Kimak khaganate lived in this city), Burakh, Banjar, Mastanakh, Najah, Dahlan, Khanaush, Astur, Manan, Sisan.
The city of Astur has wheat and rice crops, as well as iron mines. Local craftsmen live in this city, who make «products of extraordinary beauty» out of iron. Al Idrisi writes that the city of Astur lies on the Gamash River (Irtysh). Moreover, he notes that the inhabitants of Astur are «brave, determined, cautious, and heavily armed», they are «the bravest of the Turks in spirit, the most determined, the most caring in border protection and the most enterprising» [30]. The inhabitants of the city of Astur have respect and honor from the king of the Kimaks and possess vast wealth.
Khakan is the capital of the Kimak Khaganate. As Al Idrisi notes, Khaqan is a large walled city with an iron gate at the entrance to the city.
The king of the Kimaks lives in this city and has a large guard and army.
Other Turkic khagans do not fight with the Kimaks, as they are afraid of war with such a powerful rival.
The Kimaks have a separate ruling dynasty, from which their khagans originate. Kagans wear golden clothes and a golden crown, appearing before their subjects once a quarter. Kimak aristocrats wear clothes made of yellow and red silk.
Al Idrisi notes that the residents of Khaqan know neither need nor worries. It is also noted that Kimaki women are «beautiful» and «hardier than men and more enterprising in obtaining necessities due to their energetic nature and proud character.»
Al Idrisi notes that the Kimaks professed a kind of «Sabean religion», worshipped «the sun and angels.»
As you know, the Sabeans are the population of southern Yemen, which was pagan. Thus, it can be assumed that the Kimaks were pagans.
The city of Mastanakh was four days away by land to the north of Khakan. It was also located along the Irtysh River, as was the city of Khakan. Mastanakh was the old capital of the Kimak khagan.
As Al Idrisi notes, if you look along the Irtysh River, the Kimak city of Astur is upstream of all the cities, then the Kimak city of Sisan, and below all Mastany.
Near the city of Khakan is the city of Favarag, near Astura is the city of Najah, which is located on the «impregnable mountain». This mountain is probably one of the Altai Mountains. As Al Idrisi wrote: «There are the riches and warehouses of the king, guarded by guards and guardians appointed by the king» [30]. Al Idrisi notes that there are large deposits of gold in the Kimak state.
There were many cities in the Kimak khaganate, the ruins of which are located in Kazakhstan and Southern Siberia. Presumably, Kimak burials are found in mounds, where either their remains lie, or there are no remains due to cremation.
In terms of economy, besides farming, the Kimaks also bred camels and horses. In culinary terms, it is worth noting the following food preferences of kimaks. As Al Idrisi wrote: «All Turks eat horse meat and prefer it to other meat — beef, mutton and others. They live on rice, meat and fish, and they have little wine. They have a lot of milk, butter, honey, and fish.»
Al Idrisi also mentions the minting of copper coins in the Kimak Khaganate.
After a while, it’s worth noting: The Kimaks began to expand westward. As noted by the Arab authors Ibn Hawkal and al-Istakhri, the sources of a certain Atil River begin in the land of the Kyrgyz. Then the Atil flows between two peoples: the Oghuz and the Kimaks. Thus, the Atil River is a border river between the possessions of the Oghuz and Kimaks. The Atil River is usually associated with the Itil River (Volga), but a more precise argument is needed here, since the sources of the Volga are not located in the lands of the Kyrgyz.
Ibn Hawkal (an Arab geographer of the tenth century) drew a map showing the common Kimak and Oguz pastures north of the Aral Sea. This information is confirmed by Al Masudi, who writes that the joint nomads of the Kipchaks and Oghuz are located along the river Imba (Emba).
Al Biruni wrote in his writings that the Oguzes, along with the Kimaks, graze cattle in the Kimak country. It should also be noted that in the West, the Kimaks and Kipchaks reached the Bashkirs in the tenth century.
Arab geographers described the way to the Kimak state as follows:
«As for the way to the Kimaks, from Farab (Otrar, South Kazakhstan region) they go to Yangikent (Zhankent — Kyzyl–Orda region), on the way from Yangikent to the Kimak country they meet a river, cross it and come to the sands; the Turks call this place Uyukman. Then they come to the Sokuk River; after crossing it, salt marshes begin. Then they come to the Kendir Tagy mountain. [The traveler] walks along the bank of the same river, among greenery, grass and trees, to the source of the river; the mountain is high. After that, they climb the mountain along a narrow path. From the Kendir-tagy mountain (probably the Ulytau region, where the Kangir River flows), they come to the Asus River (possibly Aksu); along this road, for five days, the sun does not shine at all on people due to the shade of trees, all the way to the bank of the Asus River. The water in the river is black; it flows from the east and reaches the gates of Tabaristan (There is probably a mistake here and the Asus is confused with the Amu Darya, which was called Oxus in ancient times). After that, they come to the Irtysh River, where the Kimak country begins. Wild horses graze on both sides of the river; sometimes you can see a thousand or two thousand of them in one place.; they are descended from the wild royal horses; they continue to breed. These horses cannot be caught except with a noose; having caught them, they mount them and tame them; they succumb to taming and get used to people. The Irtysh is a large river, so if someone stands on this bank of the river, then it is impossible to recognize him from the other bank because of the great distance. The water of the river is black. After crossing the Irtysh River, they come to the tents of the kimaks. They don’t have low buildings; they all live in forests, gorges, and steppes; they all own herds of cows and sheep; they don’t have camels.; If a merchant brings a camel here, he doesn’t live here for a year.: as soon as the camel eats this herb, it gets sick. They don’t have salt; if someone brings one mana of salt here, they charge ermine fur for it. In the summer, they feed on mare’s milk, which they call koumiss; for the winter, they prepare dried meat, mutton, horse or cow, each according to their means. There is a lot of snow in this country; it happens that the thickness of the snow cover in the steppe reaches the height of a spear. In winter, they take the horses to a remote place.; Underground, they have ponds made of wood for the winter; when there is a lot of snow, their horses drink this water in the winter months, as the snow does not allow them to reach the watering hole. The objects of kimak hunting are sables and ermines; their chief bears the title Bamal-Peigu (or Yamal-yebgu)» [31].
After the resettlement, the Kimaks lived in the Irtysh region, in the Steppe and Mountain Altai. In the south, the Kimaks bordered on the Karluks, who lived in Semirechye and Tarbagatai. In the East, the Kimaks bordered the Kyrgyz who lived in the Minusinsk basin. In the Southwest, the Kimaks bordered the Oguzes. In the West, the Kimaks bordered on the Bashkurts, Pechenegs, etc. Thus, the Kimaks occupied the territory of Eastern, Northern and Central Kazakhstan.
Geographer and historian al-Yakubi notes that the Kimaks, along with the Uighurs, Karluks and Oghuz, were the main Turkic peoples who had their own state.
It should be noted here that the Kimaks and the Kipchaks who succeeded them are the only ones from all the Turkic peoples of the X–XIII centuries who continued the Turkic tradition of installing «balbals» (stone statues dedicated to deceased ancestors).
