Caves As Models of Sacredness in Artistic Consciousness
Doctor Philological sciences, Professor, Shakarim University of Semey, Department of Kazakh Language and Literature, Semey, Republic of Kazakhstan.
Doctor Philological sciences, Professor, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Department of Kazakh Literature, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Doctoral student, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Department of Kazakh Literature, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Candidate Philological sciences, Professor, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Department of Kazakh Literature, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Candidate Philological sciences, Associate Professor, Alikhan Bokeikhan University, Department of Philology, Semey, Republic of Kazakhstan
PhD, Associate Professor, K.Kulazhanov Kazakh University of Technology and Business, Department of social and humanitarian disciplines, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Abstract
In primitive communal society, the cave was not just a place of dwelling but seen as a fortress gifted by Mother Nature and a sacred place for direct communication with higher, mystical forces. The main aim of this study was to examine the evolution and the development of cave studies and how this evolution gave new interpretations of the cave, extending to religion, mythology, culture and artistic creations. Using a historical and explorative research design, this study collected data from archives, religious documentation, published surveys, and artifacts. The study found that there are several religious legends about the sanctity of the cave such as a cave symbolizing a place of worship, peace and protection. The study also found that people visited sacred caves to make special pilgrimages and seek divine blessings and fulfill their wishes. This illustrates the unconscious connection to mythological understanding. As an example, the study explored the mystical nature of caves in poetic consciousness in works of art like Homer's Odyssey and Magzhan Zhumabayev's poem “Okzhetpestin kiyasynda” (At the Cliff of Okzhetpes), two iconic literary pieces in the ancient epic literature. This study also made evident that caves develop feelings of sacredness in human consciousness, as well as its representation in artistic works and oral literature. It is hoped that this study would lead to new interpretations of the cave.