House of Ak-Kebek

The House of Ak-Kebek (Altay: Ак-Кöбöк) is an aristocratic dynasty[4][5] that ruled in the Kebeks Otok.[6] The founder of the house was Prince Kebegesh,[7] the son of the Kyrgyz prince Kayrakan-Yarynak from the Khirgys dynasty.[8][9]

House of Ak-Kebek
Ак-Кöбöк
CountrySecond Chui Volost (Since 1865, the volost has been part of the Russian Empire)
Founded1717
FounderPrince Kebegesh
Current headSergey Ochurdyapov[1][2]
Final rulerKudaibergen Ochurdyapov
Titles

History

In the XVIII century, part of the Telengits, who did not accept citizenship of the Russian Empire, but recognized their dependence on the Qing Empire, formed an independent otok headed by a prince from the Ak-Kebek dynasty.[10]

In 1757, the Qing Emperor officially recognized the power of Zaisan Yarynak of the Ak-Kebek dynasty[6] (Kebegesh's son) and granted him the hereditary rank of an official of the third rank.[11]According to this status, Zaisan had to wear a mandarin square on his dress, which depicted a leopard. It was also necessary to wear a Chinese hat with a blue sapphire on top.[3][12]

By decree of Catherine the Great in 1763, Zaisans were equated to the rank of major. And they were also exempt from paying taxes.[13]

The seal of the demichi of the Second Chui Volost from the House of Ak-Kebek

In 1865, by the decision of Zaisan Chychkan Tesegeshev, the Second Chui Volost became part of the Russian Empire.[14][15] After this event, the Russian government left the right to govern the volost to representatives of the Ak-Kebek dynasty. After joining Russia, the zaisans of the Second Chui Volost were sometimes officially called "Tribal elders", they had much more rights than the Volost foreman. Zaisan could punish any guilty person without a trial.[16] It is worth noting that researcher Leonid Pavlovich Potapov believes that the naming of "Tribal headman" is incorrect, since the Zaisans ruled not one clan, but a large number of families and land[17]

World War II

The son of the last Zaisan of the Second Chui Volost Kudaibergen-Pavel Ochurdyapov, Boktor-Ivan Ochurdyapov, took part in the Second World War.[18] He was at war from September 1941 to 1945. On June 30, 1945, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star.[19]

His younger brother Platon Ochurdyapov also took part in World War II, but went missing in 1944[20] or in March 1945.[21]

Zaisans

The list of Zaisans who ruled in the Second Chui Volost, which is presented in the book "The Past and Present of the Chui Land" by Viktor Kertikovich Maikhiev, Honored Worker of Culture of the Altai Republic, member of the Union of Writers of Russia:[22]

  • Kebegesh
  • Yarynak
  • Chebek
  • Mongol Chebekov
  • Chychkan Tesegeshev
  • Mangday Chychkanov
  • Ochurdyap Mangdaev
  • Kudaibergen-Pavel Ochurdyapov

Heads of the House of Ak-Kebek after 1930

Princesses

Grigory Gurkin - Women's long-skirted sheepskin coat (1930).

The first Princess was Ditasay, the wife of the founder of the Ak-Kebek dynasty, Prince Kebegesh. She was the daughter of a noble Soyon ruler. Kebegesh noticed her during a visit to the Tuvan Lands, and later brought her to his otok. This act of the prince caused discontent among Tuvinians.[23]

The princely family of Kebegesh and Ditasai had seven children, the youngest of whom was named after his mother, Ditas. He gave rise to the new Ditas clan.[24]

Tamga

The Ak-Kebek dynasty had a tamga called Saraky (Altay: Саракай). This sign is associated with the goddess Umay.[25] Tamga resembles a swastika, which meant the point of connection between Heaven and Earth.[26]

References