In any country, parents care about the future and well-being of their children. One of the most important customs of Kazakhs before organizing a wedding for their son is “Kudalyk” (matchmaking).
Kudalyk and Syrga saluu (Matchmaking)
Future matchmakers get acquainted a few months before the wedding, so that there is enough time to prepare for the wedding. As a rule, the acquaintance takes place in the house of the future bride or in a restaurant where the bride’s parents are invited by the groom’s parents, that is, the groom’s side pays for dinner.
During the feast, future matchmakers agree on all the nuances of the upcoming wedding: the date and place of the wedding, the size of the kalym, the number of guests, etc.
Nowadays, another interesting rite of “syrga salu” is included in matchmaking, the groom’s mother or one of the honorary relatives puts earrings on the future bride, after which the girl is considered to be engaged.
At the end of the feast, matchmakers give each other gifts, usually hats, clothes, jewelry. The size of the gifts depends on the welfare of the family. And the groom’s side paid the ransom (kalym mal) the bride’s side. Kalym is paid in the form of money, cattle and expensive jewelry.
Kyz Uzatu (Giving a girl in marriage)
After the matchmaking, they arrange “Kyz Uzatu”, which translates as “Giving a girl in marriage”. The bride’s relatives arrange Kyz Uzatu at home or in a restaurant. On this day, the bulk of the guests are from her side and from the groom’s side are about 15-30 people.
Nowadays, a bride in a beautiful traditional outfit enters the hall accompanied by a singer with a song “Jar-Jar”, where the groom is waiting for her with flowers. The assembled guests make a speech and give gifts, usually money. Everyone is dancing and having fun.
At the end of the celebration, the ceremony “ak zhol” (light road) takes place. The girl must walk along the white fabric path without looking back, that is, into the past. At the end of this path, her groom and future mother-in-law are waiting for her, who puts a head scarf on her head, and the groom takes her in his arms and leaves the restaurant. After that, a religious ceremony of marriage “neke kiyu” is held in the mosque.
The wedding day and Betashar ceremony
Finally, the wedding day itself comes. It is customary to invite all relatives, friends, acquaintances of relatives, former classmates, colleagues, and neighbors to the wedding, so the number of guests exceeds a hundred people.
On this day, another “betashar” ceremony is held, a ceremony of acquaintance with her husband’s relatives and a ceremony of revealing the bride’s face. The girl is standing in the center of the hall, with her face covered. Then the dombra song “betashar zhyry” is performed, which is passed down from generation to generation and instructs the bride how to behave with elders, refers to her husband. The bride greets everyone with a bow, and the guests in turn give (korimdik), put money in a special cup.
At the end of the ceremony, the singer (zhyrshy) opens the bride’s face with a dombra (musical instrument). The ceremony comes to a logical conclusion and the wedding begins.
