The Kazakh literature consists of both oral and written works produced in the Kazakh language by the Kazakh people of Central Asia. Kazakh historical epics were created by folk poets, and the tradition of Kazakh literature dates back to at least the 6th century when Turkic tribes had an oral poetry tradition. The most famous Turkic heroic legends of Kazakh literature are The Book of Dede Korkut and Oguz Name. Abai Qunanbaiuly was a renowned 19th-century writer whose most notable work is The Book of Words, which did much to preserve Kazakh folk culture. Additionally, Ay Qap and Qazaq, literary magazines published in the early 20th century, played an important role in the development of intellectual and political life among Kazakhs.
