In respect of their origin, Karakalpak Turks
are the descendants of Peceneks that lived in the centuries of X-XII.. They are mentioned
as "Siyah Külahlılar" (Black Hatted) or only "Külahlılar" (Hatted)
in the historical resources. They were under the domination of Mongolians together with
Kipchaks in the centuries XII-XIII. The Karakalpak Turks are named as "Çorniye
klobuki" in the ancient Russian almanacs and "Karabörklü" in the Arabian
reference books. According to the Russian almanacs, Karakalpaks is is a friend tribe of
Uz, Peceneks and Khazars. According to the rumours, some of Karakalpaks had participated
in the action of expansion pertaining to Seljuk people towards the south and west parts
and most of them stayed around the Aral Sea.
According to the Historian Reşidüddin, Karakalpak
Turks were known as "Kavm-i külah-i siyah" (Black hatted tribe) in the course
of the Mongolian invasion. Similarly, one of the Arabian authors, En-Nuveyri has stated
that there was a community among the Kipchak tribes called as "Kara Börklü".
(Black Felt Capped).The name of Kara-Kalpak (… Siyah Serpuş) was not a name related
with the race of this Turkish tribe and it must have been a title used to distinguish them
from the other communities in relation with their life styles and clothes.
The name of Çorniye
Klobuki was firstly observed in the Russian Chronicles in the year of 1146. The region in
which the Turks mostly lived was the zone of Kiev and Kumans struggled with Karakalpaks of
the same race in this place. Kumans repulsed these people out of the steppes of the Black
Sea that were their old places of migration. Therefore, Karakalpaks became the most
merciless enemies of Kuman people. With the knowledge of all the arts of war pertaining to
their enemies, Karakalpaks who were light cavalrymen like their enemies had some important
qualifications such as returning from the raids with spoils, organising speedy raids and
military discoveries, etc. The Russians could only protect themselves against Kumans in
fortified sites when they were together with Karakalpaks. The chronicles states that the
Russian princes together with Karakalpaks had carried out fourteen expeditions towards
Kumans.
The greatest art of
war pertaining to Karakalpaks was their proficiency in "taking captive". Any
Kiev prince who obtained the authority of power would take a force composed of Karakalpak
cavalrymen that lived in the southern borders of the state under his command. Just like in
the years of 1150 and 1151, Karakalpaks joined the wars between the Kiev Russian princes
and the other Russian princes. Under such circumstances, they would either be in the
command of the Russian Prince or enter into the war in the command of the young princes or
governors. These examples show that the princes on the throne of Kiev were obliged to get
on well with Karakalpaks.
While there were some Karakalpaks who worked in the service of the Russian princes, there
also were some emirs and envoys. It has been observed that Karakalpaks would use the
ornaments that they grasped from their slaves all at once. These ornaments of Turkish
culture have passed to Russians and the effect of Karakalpaks was also felt in this
incident.
In relation with
the tribal situation and positions of Karakalpaks, they were composed of five clans
divided among eachother; Kara-Koylu, Kara-Singir, Oymavut, İstek, Açamaylı. These clans
were located in the Delta of the River Oxus and "Ak-Tepe" (White Hill) on the
north of Samarkand. Additionally, like in some other Turkish communities, there was an
organisation composed of six tribes titled as Kıtay, Kipchak, Keneges, Mangıt, Muiten
and Kongrat. The name of the nation that are considered under the title of Karakalpak
nowadays has been firstly observed in the historical documents towards the end of the 16th
century. However, it is possible to examine the histories of Karakalpaks pertaining to
only the 18th and 19th centuries. The thesis stating that the Middle Age Peceneks that
were called as "Çorniye Kolbuki" in Kiev chronicles in the 12th century were
the relatives of the Karakalpaks of today is still debated among the historian scientists.
According to my opinion, Karakalpaks that were mentioned in the 12th century is a part of
Karakalpaks today. Therefore, it will be much appropriate to deal with Karakalpaks that
were in relation with the Kiev princes as we have stated above.
The Russian
chronicles state that the people of Çorniye Klobuki were also called as the Circassians.
It is possible that the Karakalpaks were mixed with not only the Turks (Kipchaks, etc.),
but also the Circassians and they lost their own names and adopted the names of the people
in which they were assimilated. According to Howorth, the tribe of Karakalpak is a branch
of Nogay people. And according to the rumours of Karakalpaks, they came off from the Nogay
people. Within their knowledge, they are convinced that their most ancient homeland is
located on the right side of the River Idyll (between the Kazan and Astrahan Khanates).
According to a rumour that they think forced them to emigrate from their old homeland, the
Emir Timur (this name is given to Tamburlaine in the Middle East) destroyed the city of
Bulgar and they were obliged to emigrate from this place. According to another rumour, the
reason for the abandonment of these places by Karakalpaks is the events caused as a result
of the invasion of the Kazan City by the Russians.
to be continued
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