HORSE TACK TERMINOLOGY IN “DIWAN LUGAT AT-TURK” BY MAHMUD AL-KASHGARI

Abstract

The “Diwan Lugat at-Turk” dictionary, authored by Mahmud al-Kashgari, a distinguished scholar from the Karakhanid period, stands as a priceless historical resource for delving into the history and culture of the Kyrgyz people. Within its pages, one can find diverse and original insights into the language, literature, culture, and social dynamics of 11th-century Turkic society. Mahmud al-Kashgari’s work gives particular emphasis to the vocabulary related to medieval Turkic horse breeding, recognizing the significance of horse terminology as one of the oldest components in both ancient Turkic and contemporary Kyrgyz languages. Despite numerous scholarly endeavors addressing “Diwan Lugat at-Turk” dictionary in Kyrgyz society, there remains an incomplete understanding of the terminology associated with horse tack terminology. Consequently, this article conducts a comparative analysis between words related to equestrian equipment in “Diwan Lugat at-Turk” and horse breeding terminology in the modern Kyrgyz language, aiming to contribute to a more comprehensive exploration of this linguistic aspect, which holds a key position in Kyrgyz national culture.