ANALYZING TEXTILE CRAFT ENTREPRENEURS IN KAZAKHSTAN WITH BOURDIEU

Abstract

This capstone investigates the meanings and values that craft-making holds for textile-based craft entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan, focusing on those working in Almaty and Astana. Drawing on six narrative interviews and participant observation, the study explores how craftswomen and craftsmen navigate a space where artistic freedom, ethnic identity, economic survival, and cultural heritage intersect. Guided by Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical framework, the research examines how various forms of capital, habitus, and field positioning shape their motivations, practices, and challenges. It also engages with Jourdain’s (2015) distinction between traditional and contemporary makers to illuminate the multifaceted character of craft entrepreneurship. Situated within the broader context of Kazakhstan’s postcolonial creative economy, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of craft-making not only as a form of economic activity, but as a means of reclaiming cultural heritage, reimagining tradition, and promoting local tourism and national identity.