Botbay Ata mausoleum

Botbay Dulatuly is known as one of the four sons of Dulat, the patriarch of a prominent Kazakh tribal confederation and the most populous group within the Elder Zhuz of the Kazakh people. According to oral traditions, Botbay was a twin to Shymyr Dulatuly. The Dulat tribe eventually divided into four main branches, named after Dulat’s sons: Botbay, Zhanys, Sikym, and Shymyr, with each branch later splitting into smaller sub-groups.

Finding the Botbay Dulatuly Mausoleum in Sayram requires some guidance. For those planning to visit, follow these directions: Begin at Sayram’s central street, Amir Temir Street, which passes by the Karashash Ana Mausoleum (the burial place of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi’s mother). Continue down Amir Temir Street approximately 100–200 meters until you reach the intersection with Abai Street, where you’ll see a roadside sign for «Botbay Ata Kesenesi.» Follow this sign along Abai Street, and after roughly 300 meters, the Botbay Dulatuly Mausoleum will come into view.

An archway with «Botbay Ata» inscribed above it marks the entrance, and nearby stone plaques provide a brief genealogy, listing notable descendants of Botbay, including 42 famed warriors. Built in 2007, the Botbay Dulatuly Mausoleum is the newest in Sayram, designed by prominent architect Gabit Sadyrbayev and funded largely through the charitable efforts of Qambar Qazhy Imanaliev, director of the Botbay Foundation.

One prominent descendant of Botbay, the late Asanbai Askarov, significantly contributed to the community by founding several landmarks in Shymkent, including the city’s botanical garden and zoo, among other facilities.