Historiography of kazakh traditional wood carving

This article examines the main elements of the subject and spiritual culture of the Kazakh traditional wooden ornament. The study examines the primordially preserved original wood products and crafts of carpenters of the 18th – early 20th centuries. Review of the works of the peoples of Central Asia on the art of woodcarving, design and decoration. Including «Kazakh yurt» by M. S. Mukanov, voluminous research work of H. Argynbaev «Craft of the Kazakh people», «The culture of Kazakh crafts» by Zhanibekov, «Folk decorative and applied art of Kazakhs» which was written by ethnographer and researcher N.A. Orazbayeva, S. Kasimanova «Crafts of the Kazakh people» demonstrates the technology of processing wood and types of ornaments, «Kazakh ornament» by K. Ibraeva, «Kazakh folk ornament» by T.K. Basenova. In the significant work of U.Kydyralin “The traditional economy of the Mangistau Kazakhs” in the section «Handiwork related to home craft» male and female crafts are scientifically differentiated, the authors considered the techniques of craftsmen. Their creative heritage includes household items, dishes, carts, chariots, saddles and objects related to customs and traditions. These exhibits became the basis for special research and scientific analysis. In addition to important research objects, methods and techniques of wood carving, preserved in a certain form in products, are also the result of studying the tools of craftsmen. The study examines the art of woodcarving as a whole, in the context of traditional Kazakh culture, the main directions of its development from the point of view of every day and funeral customs. Key words: wood, ornamentation, carving, Kazakhs, handicrafts.