After the establishment of Soviet rule, efforts were launched to eliminate illiteracy among the population. The initial focus was on teaching adults to read and write. The state allocated special funds to support these literacy programmes.
In 1924, the society “Down with Illiteracy” was established. Its members travelled to different localities and helped improve literacy by distributing books, teaching people to read and write, and informing them about political developments.
In 1920, at the First All-People’s Congress, laws were adopted to abolish kalym — the bride price — and prohibit polygamy. In addition to Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Dungans and Uyghurs lived in Kazakhstan. Each community had its own traditions and customs. For example, Uzbek women were prohibited from studying, working or speaking in public without wearing the paranja, a traditional full-body veil. On 10 December 1928, a law was adopted calling for the abandonment of the paranja.
Zhusipbek Aimauytov
Zhusipbek Aimauytov (1889–1931) was a prominent Kazakh writer, playwright and publicist, and one of the founders of modern Kazakh literature. He was born and raised in the former village of Kyzyl Tu, in what is now Bayanaul District of Pavlodar Region.
From 1911 to 1914, he worked as a village teacher. In 1914, he entered the teachers’ seminary in Semipalatinsk and graduated in 1918. He subsequently became involved in the Alashorda movement, helped publish the Abai journal in Semipalatinsk, and became acquainted with Kanysh Satpayev and Mukhtar Auezov.
In 1919, he distanced himself from Alashorda and joined the Communist Party. In 1920, he participated as a delegate in the Constituent Congress of Soviets of Kazakhstan and was appointed Deputy People’s Commissar of Education of the Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1921, he headed the Semipalatinsk Provincial Department of Public Education and served as editor of the newspaper Qazaq Tili. From 1922 to 1924, he worked as a schoolteacher in Karkaraly. Between 1924 and 1926, he headed a department of the Ak Zhol newspaper published in Tashkent. From 1926 to 1929, he served as director of the Shymkent Pedagogical Technical School.
During the Soviet repressions that began in 1929, Aimauytov was arrested on allegations that he had links to a nationalist organisation in Kazakhstan. Following a lengthy investigation, he was sentenced to death in absentia in 1931. He was executed that same year.
South Kazakhstan Regional Kazakh Drama Theatre Named after Zhumat Shanin
The theatre was established in 1934. Actors including Zh. Argynbayev, R. Baikenov, A. Daukenova, E. Dosymbetov, M. Zhusipov, T. Madikhodzhaev, A. Myrzaliev and I. Tauyrbalin made significant contributions to the formation of the theatre company and its artistic development.
In its early years, the theatre’s repertoire included Zhumat Shanin’s Arkalyk Batyr, E. Yerdanaev’s Malkambay, Saken Seifullin’s Red Falcons and Mukhtar Auezov’s Enlik–Kebek.
In 1935–1936, the company toured various towns and settlements, including Arys, Kyzylorda, Merke, Turkestan and Shaulder, presenting performances to local audiences.
During the Second World War, the relocation of the Mossovet Theatre to Shymkent became a significant event in the theatre’s history. During this period, the company mainly staged historical, heroic and patriotic dramas. In the post-war years, the theatre focused on plays portraying peaceful labour and the everyday lives of ordinary people.
In 1972, the theatre was named after Zhumat Shanin.
The theatre staged many works of Kazakh drama, including Ybyrai Altynsarin by A. Akynzhanov, Amangeldy by G. Musrepov, Maira by T. Tazhibayev, Karagoz by M. Auezov, Shuga by B. Mailin, Our Gani by Sh. Khussainov, Under the Wolfskin Hat by K. Mukhamedzhanov, Saule and The Oath by T. Akhtanov, Sun and Shadow and The Death of Ayubai by S. Adambekov, Azhar and Death by S. Zhunisov, and Karazhan’s Dagger by O. Bokeyev, among others.
The theatre has nurtured many outstanding artists. They include People’s Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zh. Serikbayeva and A. Abdullina; honoured artists Zh. Tursynov, A. Shanin, R. Baikenov, I. Bolova, A. Tashchenko, S. Utemisov, A. Kalmurzayev, O. Zhumabekov and Z. Dogmarova; as well as directors A. Ordabayev, G. Khairullina and others.
