Aqsaqal

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Aqsaqal or aksakal (literally meaning "white beard" in Turkic languages) refers to the patriarch of communities in Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Volga. Traditionally, an aqsaqal is the leader of a village or aul, and is in charge of all matters relating to customary law. Acting as advisors or judges, these elders have or had a role in politics and the justice system in countries and tribes for centuries. Recently, there have been distinct aksakal courts established in Kyrgyzstan. In Uzbekistan, which has traditionally been a more urban society (the Uzbeks being sarts or town-dwellers, as opposed to Yörüks), cities are divided up into mahallas. Each mahalla has an aqsaqal who acts as the district leader.

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