Since ancient times, Kazakhstan has been a place of residence for various nomadic tribes. In search of new lands for grazing livestock in its steppes, with first days of spring people moved for hundreds of kilometers, and in the mountains, nomads went to green meadows several kilometers up the gorge. Under the influence of the nomadic lifestyle traditions and customs of Kazakh people were formed and helped them survive in the harsh conditions of deserts, steppes, and mountains. Over time, tribes settled in cities and villages, which led to the disappearance or transformation of many aspects of the nomad culture. Some of the traditions remained in the past, preserved in folk legends, while others continue to exist among the Kazakhs even today.
In Kazakh families, the birth of a child was always awaited with excitement. The family strictly followed all rituals and ceremonies. They were supposed to protect the child from evil spirits and diseases. In the first days of a child’s life, ceremonies such as besike salu (the ritual of laying in a cradle) and kyrkyn shygaru (ritual for the 40th day, bathing the child) were performed. As soon as the child began to take the first steps, the parents organized a lavish celebration, followed by a tusau kesu ceremony. This ritual is performed as follows: a guest winning the race should cut the rope tied the child’s legs. It was believed that this ceremony would help him stand firmly on his feet and give him a happy future.
As for the wedding, this celebration was accompanied by a large number of rituals and traditions. The practice of matchmaking was widespread among unborn children (bel kuda) or newly born children (besik kuda). As a rule, the boy’s father was involved in matchmaking. After choosing a bride, he sent his man to her father to get the consent of the girl’s family. Then the groom’s father himself with the matchmakers came to the bride’s father, and thus, the matchmaking took place (kuda tusu). Guests in the house of the future bride were greeted with a lush feast and many gifts.
After the matchmaking, the girl’s parents were preparing for the departure of their daughter to her new family. This ceremony took place in the form of a celebration (uzatu toi), where national games, dances, and festivities were held. On this day, she said goodbye to her family, and she left with the relatives of her fiancé.
The main event was the wedding in the groom’s house, where the Muslim wedding ceremony “nike kiyu” was performed. The mullah read a prayer in front of the newlyweds and gave everyone the “wedding water” to drink from the cup. Another important ceremony was “betashar”, when the bride showed her face to the guests. During it, the future mother-in-law kissed her, removing her veil from her head. After the wedding, the bride changed her saukele (high cone-shaped hat) for the headdress of married women.
The nomadic people of Kazakhstan attached great importance to the organization of funerals. The Kazakhs had a whole complex of rituals related to a person’s death. They were intended to honor the life of this person and facilitate his transition to another world.
A distinctive cultural aspect of nomads is their hospitality. The owner gave always the best place for the guests of honor. And the Kazakhs have always shown great respect to the older generation. The old men had unquestioning authority and were the bearers of folk traditions and wisdom. They transmitted to the younger generation the experience accumulated over thousands of years. Especially the family hierarchy was noticeable during the meal when family members had to sit in a certain order.
Many of the above customs and traditions have survived and are an integral part of the modern culture of the Kazakh people.
