Aksakal is the support of the people

For the peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia, the aksakal is a person who is highly respected. The reason is not only respectable age, but also wisdom, multiplied by knowledge of traditions and customs and the ability not only to justly resolve minor disputes, but also to prevent large ones. And the word itself has Turkic roots: in translation from Turkish, "aksakal" is a gray-bearded man.

What is the role of aksakal?

In the old days the aksakal was a man who, along with other people, was engaged in organizing public works and managing social events, such as weddings and funerals. человек, который имел высокие нравственные качества, снискал уважение не только хорошими качествами, но и отличным знанием обычаев и традиций. This role is inherent in him for a reason, since it is a man who had high moral qualities, earned respect not only for good qualities, but also for excellent knowledge of customs and traditions.

Thus, the aksakal is a person whose activities reflected the people's mentality and traditions, since he acted on the basis of morality and morality, personal convictions and conscience. This means that in his hands were the traditions and customs of the people, and he controlled the faithful adherence to them.

Are there even now aksakals?

Despite the long-standing past, in due course the aksakal institute did not go down in history, but continues to exist successfully in the form of a social movement. A vivid example is the Court of Aksakals in Kyrgyzstan, the Council of Aksakals in Tatarstan and Styr Nykhas in Ossetia, not counting the unofficial, local councils of villages, cities and republics.

Today the aksakal is a person who acts on the basis of adat and applies his norms, which do not contradict the law. Councils of aksakals are not included in the judicial system of the state, but only complement it when considering disputes in a certain locality. Today the aksakal is a person who can consider cases on:

• Property disputes;
• The disputes connected with family grounds and their irrational use;
• Non-fulfillment of parental responsibilities in relation to children;
• Administrative offenses.

But this does not mean that aksakals are strict custodians of the past. They are not alien to the new trends. So, Olzhabay Smagulov, aksakal, whose photo is presented below, is a candidate for a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Once a year the Aksakal Council reports to the founders. If the decision taken by the aksakals is not satisfactory, it can be appealed.