The story told by
Aiganym Kereybayeva Zhakypkyzy, a resilient Kazakh woman, overcame hardships, supported her family, and left a lasting legacy
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Aiganym Kereybayeva Zhakypkyzy was born in the village of Lenintu, Arys district, Shymkent region, in March 1923. She belonged to the "Uly zhuz-Dulat-Bogozhil-Shabai" ru, a sub-ethnic group, or clan, united by actual or perceived kinship and descent and inhabiting a shared territory.
Her father was Zhakyp Nurymbetuly, and her mother was Shynayim. Zhakyp came from a wealthy farming family, and Shynayim also belonged to a noble family. Shynayim's uncle Sikymbay was responsible for resolving important issues in his village. Aiganym’s grandparents married when they were just 16 years old. Her grandmother Shynayim was a skilled woman, proficient in sewing and jewelry making.
The Story of Ishutin and Aiganym’s Early Childhood
A significant event in the life of Aiganym’s family occurred in 1905 when an ethnic Ukrainian named Ishutin, who had participated in the Russian revolution, was exiled to southern Kazakhstan. He settled in the village of Temirlan with his wife and child but struggled to find work or support.
At the time, Jabagybaev’s brother, Jabagybay, was a wealthy, literate man who spoke several languages and owned a farm. Jabagybay hired Ishutin and offered him a house in his yard. Over time, the two became close. Aiganym frequently visited her grandfather’s house, where she learned Ukrainian and Russian and enjoyed singing songs in these languages.
When the Russian Revolution of 1917 began, Ishutin became actively involved. After the collapse of the Russian Empire, he was elected chairman of an artel established in Temirlan. In 1928, during the Soviet confiscation of wealth, Jabagybay was sentenced to death, and other wealthy individuals, including Nurymbet-Haji, were affected. At this time, Ishutin adopted a five-year-old Aiganym, promising to care for her as a way of honoring her grandfather’s kindness.
Education, Marriage, and War-Time Efforts
Aiganym’s life reflects both the cultural richness of her Kazakh heritage and the upheavals of Soviet rule. She attended training at the MTS (Machine-Tractor Station) in the village of Shubar and graduated in 1940. After graduation, she married Abdugamit, who had served in both the Soviet-Finnish War (1939–1940) and World War II.
Between 1941 and 1945, Aiganym worked as a combine operator, harvesting wheat. Her godfather Ishutin, the chairman of the artel, relied heavily on her labor. For her valiant efforts during this period, she received the "Veteran of Labor" medal. Fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, and Kazakh, she also worked as a translator for employees during the war. According to her son Yedige Abdugamitov, who was awarded the "Order of Honor," Aiganym sang in the Russian musical folklore genre and was deeply connected to both Russian and Ukrainian cultures.
Family Life and Legacy
Aiganym had 10 children. Her first child, Yrymkul, born in 1941, passed away in infancy. She later had Zabira (born in 1947), Amangeldy (1949), Yerkin (1951), Edige (1953), Eldos (1954), Erbol (1957), Daria (1959), Ergeldy (1961), and Rosa (1963). For having many children, she was awarded the three, two, and one degrees of the "Order of Maternal Glory."
Her children remember her as a strong-willed woman who raised them with relative ease, often using her wisdom and healing powers. Many young women sought her advice, and she had an intuitive ability, once predicting that her granddaughter would be a single girl rather than twins, a prediction that came true.
After the war, Aiganym and her husband worked as shepherds on the Badam-Borzhar state farm until the end of their days.
Aiganym passed away in 1998, a year after the death of her 25-year-old son Ergeldy. The loss of her son caused her great sadness, and she eventually suffered a stroke.
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Through the story of Aiganym, we gain a glimpse into the hardships faced by Kazakh families, particularly women, during the 20th century. Women like Aiganym played a crucial role during the war, taking on men’s roles and working the land to support their families. Although I never had the chance to meet my great-great-grandmother, her legacy lives on in the strength and resilience of the women in my family.
Her story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating how perseverance, hard work, and inner strength can help overcome even the most difficult circumstances. Although most of the people who knew her are no longer with us, her life continues to inspire through the lessons passed down to us.
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