MAY THE THIEVES BURN IN HELL: CORPUS-BASED DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF BATA-BLESSINGS IN KAZAKH POLITICS

Abstract

While Bata blessings are widely recognized as an element of Kazakh intangible cultural heritage closely associated with goodwill, respect, and ceremonial tradition, its ability to convey socio-political critique remains largely unexplored. This project investigates how Bata, as a form of oral tradition, can serve not only ritualistic and moral functions but also operate as a way of commenting on important political discourses. By analyzing the collection of 15 contemporary instances (1991-2024) where Bata is delivered in different settings including community visits by officials or televised events, this study analyzes how speakers embed indirect critique, invoke collective memory, and appeal to ethical leadership within the genre. Using discourse analysis, the research identified three common functional categories of Bata: as an exchange tool, as a guideline, and as a critique tool. Results show that Bata as an exchange tool often appears in informal contexts such as local visits, while critique Bata tends to be uttered in the presence of large audiences only. While quite small, the guideline category also has its distinctions based on its different mood and the use of second-person imperative forms, often including references to famous Kazakh figures. By uncovering these functions, the study contributes to an understanding of Bata as a dynamic oral genre. It also offers a broader reflection on how so considered old oral traditions can adapt to serve contemporary issues.