“Dictum acerbum”: existential experiences in the Kazakh worldview during the Holodomor

Abstract

In the 20-30s of the twentieth century, the Kazakh people in the USSR became a victim of the Holodomor. The article discusses such problems as the cause of the Holodomor, migration to the other countries, fear and hope in the minds of children, and describes the existential experiences in the worldview of Kazakhstanis arising because of the struggle for survival. The Kazakhs not only transformed their centuries-long national identity, traditions and spirit by sedentarisation, but it was also on the edge of extinction from the historical stage of humankind development as a nation. Along with political ideology, the most serious difficulties during the Holodomor period are natural disasters: jute, drought and migration to other countries for protection, the emergence of various diseases, the economy recession, and the increase in fatality. Besides, there were often socio-psychological causes: rebellion, aggressiveness, loss of adaptation to new conditions. Despite these difficulties, as a result of the will to live, the Kazakhs were able to resist the trouble. The Kazakh nation intentionality lies in its boundless desire and love of life. Survival for Kazakhs as a nation was a sacred achievement.