In English

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Kursak shashu

Home with children-bazaar » is the dream of every family, to love and give birth to children. The older generation also want to nurse their grandchildren «balam-balym, balamnyn balasy-zhanym». This is the secret of the superstitious attitude towards the young bride. «Give birth to a son, «»be happy,» the elders say, turning to the young daughter — in-law with a bow, » and in the life of a person, the generation occupies a special place.
«Previously, the daughter-in-law took care not to allow the slightest change in herself, without asking about the reason. Not only the mother-in-law, but also the villagers in the village begin to monitor when they notice a symbol of good, so that she is happy. And the mother-in-law, who knows the reason, is grateful for this joy and gives «kulak suyinshi «. Then the mother-in-law of this house ties a white handkerchief to the right side of the big house. This means that the daughter-in-law received a «thank you» to convey to others and announce the good. Seeing this sign, the villagers also respect her and considered it their duty to honor her, » says Zeynep Akhmetova. This tradition was also called «kursak shashu», or»kursak toy». The women who came to this event bring various delicious desserts with them. The goal is to help at the first signs of the manifestation and development of pregnancy. If among them there are the bride’s favorite things, then the woman will be happy and will eat until the toxicosis subsides. And if they do not find it, then not only women, but also the husband, friends help to find the food that the daughter-in-law wants.

This rite is reflected in the poem «Alpamys Batyr». In the version of Akseleu Seidimbekuly, it is written, » everyone is happy with good news, both old and young, the owners accept congratulations from the villagers and relatives, and give kursak shasha. In this regard, we see that the traditions are rooted far in the past.

Today, this tradition is rare. And some celebrants spend the holiday «kursak shashu» in a large restaurant, filling the table with food and drinks, bringing together hundreds of people. Calling it a «Gender party». The current youth gathers all relatives, friends and even parents, holding a «Gender party». That is, after an ultrasound, a woman or a couple’s friends have a tendency to transmit the child’s gender to others in different ways. Even our pregnant brides are free to walk freely in front of their parents and brothers. It’s not like they used to sneak out on the street. Should I not wear a long, wide dress with a hem instead of short clothes? Here, the words of my grandmother are often recalled. My grandmother used to say, » a daughter-in-law who hid her pregnancy will have a strong upbringing.»
What will be left of us if everyone changes the traditions at their own discretion? Given that human life originates in the womb, special attention should be paid to national traditions.

Gulzhauhar PAZYLBEKOVA,
Researcher at the Center for Traditions and Customs

A source:
https://qarmaqshy-tany.kz/zanalyk/ruhaniyt/11959

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What is Amengerlik?

In the Kazakh society in ancient times it was customary to say:” aga olse zhenge-mura, ini olse kelin-mura“, «ayel erden keste de, elden ketpeydi». Kazakh scientists in the law» Zheti zhargy » obliged the deceased widow “not to leave the country” and marry one of her husband’s blood relatives. Relatives of the deceased man called the widow «amengeri». In Kazakh society, there was rarely a refusal of emancipation, which was valued as unselfishness, compassion for the orphans of their relatives, or for their blood brothers and sisters. And when a woman refuses emancipation, she is not given any children or property, but only the will to marry of her own free will.

Abay Kunanbayev’s son married his wife Yerkezhan after the death of his brother Ospan. In the poem «Kyz Zhibek» there are also scenes of the amengerlik rite. At the age of 19, Dina Nurpeisova married Nurpeis Makatovich. In those years, after receiving the document, her last name was registered as Nurpeisova. According to Kazakh traditions, a young daughter-in-law, who could not name her grandfather, wrote her husband’s name as a surname. In 1885, when Dina was pregnant, Nurpeis died. According to Kazakh Amenger traditions, she married her husband’s younger brother Nuraly. If earlier they refused emancipation, today there are no people who agree to it. And, perhaps, this tradition occupies the last place in society. But there are many orphans growing up without a father and those who saw the humiliation of their stepmother. Currently, amengerism has become only one suffix of the story, interrupting the continuation. But, since our ancestors did not offend widows and orphans, we should know that there were such customs and traditions.

The Center of Traditions and Customs organized an event on the following topics: «family, strong to traditions», «adoption, amengerlik». The guest of the event was the Musrepov family, reviving the traditions of amengerism. Having taken his late brother as his wife, he shared the secret that he was followed by the children of his late brother, which he inherited. Today, Sabit and Guljazira are a model family, raising seven children. Many, admiring the courage of those who adopted their orphan brothers, blessed them with good intentions. They were happy about the decrease in the number of orphans.

In the past, the issue of amengerism was thoroughly discussed among blood relatives under the elders of the clan. First, with a nomadic lifestyle, it is difficult for a widow to live alone, have children and property left by her husband. If a widow marries a stranger with a different surname, then he can show leniency, not mercy, not to his children. Secondly, the property left over from the deceased husband can be transferred to an outsider, and he can completely plunder, and leave the orphans unattended. Third, in the case of marrying someone else, the blood relatives of the father can deprive the orphaned children of their mother. The Kazakhs were well aware that this would be a serious abuse. Today’s young people, as we know, do not succumb to the Amenger custom, but its effectiveness must be taken into account and preserved in memory. What do you think, reader? Are there any people in your village who have preserved the tradition of amengerlik?

Gulzhauhar PAZYLBEKOVA,
Researcher at the Center for Traditions and Customs

Source:
1. http: / /anatili.kazgazeta.kz

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Don’t let your hair down, daughter!

On the holiday weekend, I went to the village. The thin grandmother slowly combed and plaited her hair into a braid, and fixed it on the top of her head with a flexible, blunt comb. Then she turned to her grandson-Son, see if there’s any hair left — picking up the hair that had stuck to his clothes and fallen to the ground. «Why? «When the hair stays under my feet or the bird pecks, I get a headache,» she said.

Yes, the words of our ancestors» burym-kyzdy korkim » contained all the beauty of the girl. This is a deep point. Because our people believed that it is in the hair that all the energy power is laid down. That is why the girls paid special attention to their hair. There is a saying: «sumbil shash-suludyn ekinshi zhamaly». In Kazakh society, the ancient aksakals characterized a person by the color of his hair or by the density and fineness. Thin, soft hair, depending on the tuft of hair, a wide forehead, all this is about a person who will be a leader. Hard, coal-black hair, speaks of a straight character, a person with a narrow forehead, hair and eyebrows that are considered envious at close range.
A thick braid can be considered, firstly, as a means of beauty, and secondly, as a means of education. Every time, sitting at home, noble mothers, taking care of every act and step of their daughter, brought her up in healthy behavior, supporting her body and preventing slouching. When a girl becomes a girl, she must have two braids braided. Her long, curly hair was braided into braids. Braids are the belief that » loneliness is suitable only for God“, «the desire to live your life with your husband happily ever after». The double braid is a symbol of the girl’s attention and freedom. The girl’s hair was slightly slanted, not from the middle, but from the forehead. There is a reason. When a woman leaves this world, her hair opens from the middle of her forehead and covers both breasts. The girl, braiding her hair in two braids, throws back the braids, a sign that she leaves childish childishness in her home, and enters a new adult life (the girl wants her to have a double braid, a friendly and happy family in the future).

Daily work and life for a woman, every day’s work is very important to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen. The scythes are also involved in this. Besides, the girls never had their braids cut off. In the well-established steppe law of our ancestors, it was believed that if someone cut off a woman’s hair, it was equivalent to cutting off body parts. Therefore, the fee for the scythe is high. When a woman betrays her man, a lock of hair is cut off. And this is equivalent to severe punishment, and even to death.
Our people say: «Ayel minezdi yerkekte kuat zhok, yerkek minezdi ayelde uyat zhok «, Bukhar zhyrau says: «kyzda kylyk bolmasa, kur shyraidan ne paida?!». And the poet Akushtap Baktygereeva says: «there is a girl in life, but being a Kazakh girl is quite different.» Of course, for fifty years, the country has become new, and today the hairstyles of girls have been updated in accordance with the trends of the time. However, if we knew what we need to collect hair for, we would think about it more often.

Unfortunately, today we often meet «mourning beauties» who let their hair down in public places. In history, it is written that only women from the house where the deceased is buried, did not braid the braid for up to seven days. Loose hair and crying means an expression of great grief. From this remained the prohibitions: «do not take your hands in your sides, do not let your hair down, do not call evil.”

Lyazzat Kadirbek,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs

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Take everything, but do not deprive the good attitude…

Once upon a time, there was a rich old man who had been an aristocrat for seven generations. Recently, the elder’s mood dropped by itself. Noticing this, the daughter-in-law asked her grandfather: — Ata-au, why are you not in the mood ? Then the grandfather answered: — Dear listen, you are also my child, I will tell you.. An angel came to me and said:» I will give your blessing, your wealth, to another family.» I don’t give permission every day by answering «tomorrow, the day after tomorrow». But the Angel says, » Tomorrow I will give to another dynasty, even if you allow it or not.» If the blessing and good fortune go to another dynasty, then we will immediately become impoverished, for this I am worried. And then the daughter-in-law said, » Is that all you’re worried about?» Then my grandfather said:»Yes, it is, my daughter. Then the daughter-in-law said: «If this is the case, then tomorrow tell the Angel:’ Take the wealth, but do not take my good attitude. The old man turned to the angel with a request: «Take my wealth, but do not take away my good attitude.» Then the angel, admiring the old man’s answer, replied: «Another 7 generations of wealth and blessing will be given to your dynasty.» It is not for nothing that the Kazakh people said: «whatever they give, let them give with a good attitude.»

The wise Kazakh people have the words: «Ken peyildi kemimes, tar peyildi kenimes». If a person has a positive attitude, then things are going positively for him, the status increases. And that’s all we have. Therefore, probably, our ancestors said: «good deeds begin with a good word», «a good word is one and a half words».

Today, good relations, morals and spiritual development are slightly distorted.
This is especially noticeable when a critical time is brewing in the country. A little more than a year ago, a snowstorm broke out on the Kordai Pass in the Almaty region, and several passengers were on the way. And so, wanting to capitalize on this difficult moment, people from nearby villages sold water and bread for money. Back in the summer of last year, when the country became massively ill, and the second wave of the pandemic hit, drug prices soared. Available tablets were sold at a price of 4-5 times more expensive. This is also a reflection of how cheap our peaceful day has become today.

In the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (S. G. S.) it is said: «if you have clothes, a house, food — this is wealth», while in another hadith-sharip it is said: «wealth is not cattle and life, and wealth is good relations in the world». Our ancestors also wished: «O Allah, take away my cattle if I die, but do not take away my good attitude and spiritual development.

Today, someone is looking for happiness in wealth, someone in health, someone in fame, someone prefers to find a warm nest, a faithful spouse, a child. In life, there are people who are satisfied, disappointed, and live in a calm state. There are guards who have guarded others who live in the majestic palaces. Living a life of luxury. This look, wrapped in a veil and a riot, looks incredibly happy. But not all rich people are happy. So let’s be content and give thanks for everything that is in this life. Let our good attitude always be broad, and our mood open!

Camila Musa,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs.

A source:
1. the website «mirror of life». https://vk.com/wall-171980931_48831

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Greeting-a custom from ancient times

Recently, a bride entered our house, and our relatives invited us to «yoshikashar». Next to the young daughter-in-law, I also went to visit. As soon as the girl entered the house, she bowed and said hello. But the owners of the house forbade the daughter-in-law to make a bow, and did not accept her greeting. Under the guise of a religious family, they dressed in straight short trousers, let down long beards, the behavior seems strange to us ,but inner curiosity took over. Today, many families do not take our traditions and rituals seriously.

In our tradition, when we worship the elder, we answer: «Live long!», » Be happy!» we know that if we hear a blessing, a kind word, a kind wish, we will have more luck and happiness in our family life. Our ancestors temporarily exempted the pregnant bride from bowing, and the bride, whose husband died, from the eternal greeting. The tradition of greeting is extended not only to the Turkic peoples, but also to the peoples of Europe. In royal families in the UK, England, the daughters-in-law also greet their elders. The essence of this tradition is respect for the elders in general. When a daughter-in-law comes to another family, she has a certain place in the family. Greeting, the daughter-in-law retains respect. It is performed differently in each region of the country. In the western region of the country, greeting is not strictly required. A girl who became a bride in the west, in Betashar, immediately sends greetings to all her relatives, Abysyns. In the south, it is necessary to say hello, the daughters-in-law cross both hands and make a bow. The custom of greeting, wearing headscarves in the northern regions was not observed. And in the East, not a greeting, but just a ritual of pouring oil on the fire is observed. In the Mangystau region, the daughter-in-law is obliged to get up early in the morning, and must greet her daily. Greeting the bride helped to preserve respect between generations. She feels her place, respect for her future mother, her mother-in-law. The essence of the greeting was that she extends the life of her spouse with this bow and expresses gratitude .

«By greeting, I want my husband to have a long life. «I want him to know that I will take more of the blessed ones — that’s how noble brides express the greeting ceremony. If this is the case, then it is better to revive the unusually beautiful and majestic custom of the Kazakh people. Isn’t it the same as getting into the wrong channel because of an unapproachable religion and trampling on the national tradition of greeting our brides?

Zhanat AMALBEKOVA,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs.

References: from the pages of the press

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Kazakh romance in March.

The beginning of the year March is the moment of interweaving of lovers ‘ hearts. There were different traditions in the celebration of Nauryz. In the course of time, many of them are now forgotten. One of them is the tradition of «Seltetkizer» and «Uykyashar». Awarded in the New Year to young men and women who fell in love with each other. This rite contains not only the feelings of a young man, but also the concepts and knowledge of the people, habits and etiquette. On the Great Day of Nauryz, the friends met the dawn together, gave each other «seltetkizer» and treated «uykyashar».
You’re fifteen, girl, I’m fifteen too,
If you add two dozen,will it not be equal?
Raisins for half raisins,
«Aren’t we trophies?» «I don’t know how to do it. The concept of a nation has a meaning that lies at the heart of this good tradition, which has been preserved for centuries.
In the traditions of the Kazakh people, special attention was paid to the education of girls. The girl was never the first to convey her feelings to the guy in words. Therefore, it was expressed by giving an embroidered handkerchief. Young people spent the whole night riding on altybakan, and positive songs poured out of their mouths. The steppes were filled with delicious food made from the meat of a young lamb. No wonder this taste is called «Uykyashar». There is no formed criterion for how «Uykyashar» is created. While some researchers claim that raw or young meat is cooked in colostrum, some researchers explain that «Uykyashar» is a powerful food, similar to wheat soup made with spices. «Uykyashar is made from spicy kumis or kurt. Sometimes they are prepared on liquefied kefir with additives. In contrast, «uykyashar» is not the name of a specific food, but rather the name of a tradition that expresses its joy and self-esteem under the pretext of food.
And at the festival, the young men gave the girls gifts «selt etkizer», in the form of a mirror, which symbolizes youth, a comb – beauty, cologne-pleasure. Young people say that this is a better proof of the feelings of a valuable gift than to convey in words. How did Kazakh youth express their feelings to each other before? Many of the love feelings white or black were said on the Great Day of Nauryz, when they met the New Dawn. Pages of love stories through such traditions as Tolegen-Zhibek, Akan-seri-Aktokty, Birzhan-Layli, Abay-Aigerim. But have these traditions, which have become the golden link of the youth competition, been preserved now? It is necessary to explain to the younger generation the specifics of the holiday and pour its dignity into the consciousness. On this significant day, we must revive our ancient traditions and apply them in the modern world.
Today, when society is developing, there is a fusion of human culture, more and more people are passing away, and «uykyashar» and «selt etkizer» are forgotten, which in many ways influenced the growth of our people, the future of our youth. However, young people who choose gifts for each other on Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Day have a habit of celebrating this holiday in March as a day filled with Kazakh romanticism, reviving this tradition.

Prepared by: R. Altybaeva
Source «»Journal of tradition»
Newspaper native language March 23, 2009

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Kut-koydyn kulagynda…

Recently, I was lucky enough to be at the same dastarkhan, with a very smart, well-read old man named Alikhan, who read a lot, he was not older than eighty years. The head of a ram was brought to the main course, as always.
The old man, calmly eating the head of a lamb with one ear, and suddenly suddenly asked: «Do you know where his other ear went?» «Probably one of the kids running around in the yard,» I said. The old man with a questioning face looked at the guy who came in with a plate, who said, «cut out one of the sheep’s ears and gave it to his nephew,» and looked innocently at everyone…
«A nephew is good, but it would be better to give the ear to a child of this house,» the old man said, and began his story about the ear. It was a long time ago, a fellow traveler had to stop at midnight in one of the houses on the outskirts of the village, saying: «I am a guest.» The owner prepared a lavish dastarkhan for a fellow traveler. The conversation was drawn out, finding a common language, both met the dawn. The owner of the house and his guest decided to remain friends, and at parting, squeezing the guest in his arms, he says: «ask me anything you want!» The guest says:» I saw one puppy running in front of the door, let it be your gift to me.» «Could you ask for something better? Well, the guest’s wish is my law.
— Well, take what you want — said the owner. A little later, the guest changed his wish: «No, I decided to give up the puppy, and ask for a cane lying on the doorstep.» «Let it be as you wish,» replied the landlord. The fellow traveler walked five or six steps and said, » Sorry, master, again. I want to take a black lamb, not a reed. I just want to take it in the form of a carcass, and boil the meat and put it to me. Then the host said, «Your wish,» slaughtered the lamb, boiled it, and began to put the head in the guest’s basket, when suddenly he asked, » Ow, where is one ear of the head? «The ear was eaten by this child in the house,» says the owner of the house. So I won’t be able to take this gift either. May your luck stay with you! Said the guest and began to get ready for the road.
The owner says to him: «Oh, how is it? You didn’t take the puppy, you didn’t take the cane, you got the lamb – but you gave it up, too. What’s the secret … » he asks. «You’re a good soul, brother. I wanted your blessed good fortune to cross over in a good way
for me. My eyes glittered as I saw the puppy run up to the reeds that were lying by the door. I saw him urinating on the reeds. I wanted to take the cane, thinking that my luck had changed to the cane. So when I got up, I saw a lamb that came and licked the reeds. When the lamb meat was boiled, your child ate its ear. In the family, the luck went to your only heir-a child. This is the work of Allah. I realized that luck does not come out of your house, » said the guest, saying goodbye with gratitude, left, and went on. That’s why I asked, and I wanted it to be a child from this house, » the old man finished Alikhan. From that moment on, the concept of «kut — koydyn kulagynda»was formed in the mouths of the people. Therefore, the guests, before serving the head of a ram, cut off the right ear and give it to a family member. «May the blessing and good fortune remain with us.»
Of great educational and scientific importance is the cut-off ear of a ram, an elderly person, and given to a child to eat . That is, a child who eats from the hands of old people from childhood, listening to their commandments, becomes a wise, educated citizen who respects the elders, takes care of the younger ones, understands words and dignity. They are trained to be tactful, sociable. In addition, lamb meat is also good for health, for every part of our body. All the vitamins are in the ram’s head.
And today, when old people offer young people lamb ears, eyes, and tongue, many do not eat at all and do not even want to hold them in their hands. It’s disgusting…. Young people do not know its educational significance. Adults at the table should tell the children, and conduct explanatory work, about its educational significance, and secrets. Even in some regions, a lamb’s head is served with two ears. Let luck and happiness do not leave this house, let it be a blessed home, perhaps we will return to the hereditary process, and understand the phrase «kut-koydyn kulagynda».
What about your dynasty? Who eats lamb ears?

Camila MUSA,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs

A source:

1. B. Serdali. Website. https://halqym.kz/tarihi/8615-oy-layn-km-zheyd.html
2. The site. https://massaget.kz/mangilik_el/tup_tamyir/asyil_soz/46812/

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Do you believe in the superstition of the evil eye?

One of the types of beliefs in traditional Kazakh society is the evil eye. In the popular concept, there is an understanding that a good person, a newborn child, a fast horse, a beautiful girl-quickly succumb to the evil eye.
In this regard, the fast horse that won the race, try not to show, because to avoid the evil eye. As a talisman against the evil eye, use boitumar, let’s remember how in the distant past they were protected from the evil eye. If the child is very worried, crying means that the evil eye is imposed on him. To do this, heated salt was pressed on the naked body of the baby, using the method of eye contact. The treatment of the evil eye sometimes consists in spitting. So, for example, on young daughters-in-law, on babies, on people who were defeated by the evil eye were cured with short spits. Or when someone is praised, they say: «til kozim taska». If an evil eye is applied to a person, or to cattle, then they were treated with the «method of cutting the bridle». After treatment, dastarkhan is covered. The recovered person should not talk to anyone for a while.
To protect the baby from the evil eye, a snake’s head, owl feathers, and nine beads of silver coins are hung on his cradle as a talisman on his clothes.If the «evil eye has touched», then something is brought from this person’s house. Thus, there was a certainty that the evil eye would heal. If the child’s parents believe that someone looked at the child very carefully, saying, «your child is plump», then in this case, the parents themselves protect with short spits. A person with a sharp eye should be very careful in words and looks . If the baby is very ill, then they find the person who saw him most recently: «and with short spits heals.» There are also other different rituals. In order for the child not to attract everyone’s attention, he often puts bandages on him, or deliberately smears soot on his face, or runs a strip of lipstick over his forehead.

The eyes are a mysterious force that has significance not only in popular beliefs, but also in Islam. «If a person constantly reads the surahs of the Koran, then’ the tongue, the eyes are a deadly weapon, ‘» say the scholars of Islam. If numerous ulcers appear on the body, the symptoms of the disease are obvious, then you should only contact trusted persons who treat with means allowed by Sharia. (scholar, imam, etc.).

Today, without thinking about the evil eye, we all upload photos to the network and enjoy. Even photos of a newborn are often published. These actions are the desire to get into the field of view of the people. If you do not warn in advance, it is quite possible to cause any harm to people, or become the cause of the disease. Wise people, in order not to cause envy among others, or to establish good relations with anyone, and not to break the thread of respect, for this they give a gift to their relatives and friends, while finding peace of mind, and replacing negative energy with a good mood. Today we attach great importance to the evil eye? Have you or your loved ones had similar situations?

Myrzabai OMAR,
Researcher at the Center for Traditions and Customs

Source:
1. Wikipedia, from the Internet.

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Uyz-the leaven of solidarity

Auyl is a pillar of the nation, a golden cradle. Today, people come from the city to their native village only for wedding events, or other celebrations. All the villagers are your own people. Good-natured and hospitable people. As the great Abai said, now there is a real boom in the country «koi kozdap, tuye bozdap». In the house of Amanbai, a dastarkhan was laid, and the neighbors gathered for the first colostrum-uyz.
Colostrum is the most important milk of young animals. Our ancestors prepared colostrum for the first 3-5 days using this milk. Yellow colostrum is obtained only at the first milking of young animals. And after a day, milk becomes less important and colostrum appears white. The nutritional value of colostrum differs from that of regular milk. Therefore, it increases the protective properties of the child’s body and puts the digestive system in order. The offspring of young animals grows strong and fast, if you feed it with colostrum. Therefore, the Kazakhs left the word «did not drink colostrum enough». This also applies to weak and premature babies, and to weak offspring of a cow, horse or sheep. I am glad that in the village this tradition continues to this day. Kazakhs have a phrase «uyzdai zhas» for the younger youth.
The participants congratulated each other on Nauryz. «It’s my birthday on March 8,» one of the older women said. I remembered a conversation I had with my mother a few years ago.
«Mom, when was your birthday?»
— March 8, son.
«Oh, it’s so good to have two birds with one stone together.»..
— In this village of Batzhan, Kurmankul, we all have such a situation.
As it turned out, when replacing the passport, the secretary of the village council himself, the merry Kaldybek, all our grandmothers in the village, issued the birthdays of all the old women on the same day, so that they celebrated on the same day. What resourcefulness! At the table, various amusements of the village-region were recalled, as if there was no unspoken conversation left.
By the end, I wanted to finish the conversation. As Grandmother Tiyshtyk says: I don’t care, I have entrusted all the household chores to my daughter-in-law, and all the more so I will listen to Myrzabai’s story until the end.» That’s how I came back from the village, seeing the spring. This year on Terskei, spring seems to have arrived early. And what if we have people who want them to be together, so that the villagers treat each other with colostrum?!

Myrzabai OMAR,
Head of the Department of the Center of Traditions and Customs

Nauryzbek and Nauryztol

A hundred years ago, the teacher of the nation, Ahmet Baitursynuly, said: «Alhamdullah, we are 6 million Kazakhs!» So he informed the whole world. Since then, a lot of water has flowed away, a lot of clouds have drifted away.
The biggest news of this year is a small increase in the population. There is a tradition left over from our ancestors, who, without resorting to statistics, do not openly talk about the number of children. In terms of population growth, the southern region prevails. On the 30th anniversary of our country’s independence, this is a great joy!
Independence’s peers are turning thirty, and they themselves probably already have children of about school age. At this age, the child is called a «lamb». While fifteen or twenty years is called the «sheep age», and twenty-five or forty years is the real «horse age», the horsemen of this age in winter and summer withstood the grip of the horse. Our independence peers are also now in equine age. I hope you have noticed the wisdom of our ancestors as a source of animal life. Yes, spring is very early this year. The trees bloomed early, and the snowdrops were also overgrown. In the south, the Great Day of Nauryz begins.
As Hakim Abai said: «Koi kozdap, tuye bozdap, korada shu», the early lambs also became more mature. The first offspring, born in March, used to be called «Nauryztol». And the children who were born in March and reached the age of ten are called Nauryzbek, the grandfather gave «basyre» to this dzhigit in the form of a lamb. «Basire» is one of the most striking rites of our people. With this sweet lamb was combined the love of life, the hope for its future. It is good that it is allowed, basire requires special care. In many legends, it is said that many poets and akyns in childhood have a dream about who he will be in the future. It is mandatory to give the first offspring, with a beautiful color, the one that is considered a rare breed, and is called «kogenbasy». While asking: Do you take Cogenbases, or do you choose poems?» the choice influenced the fate of famous poets. In our tradition, the blessing has a special place. The beginning of every good deed is crowned with a blessing. The magic of the word became the cornerstone of his life. «May you have plenty of sheep and stallions! In this Nauryztol rite, there is a general symbolic meaning, in which the idea is laid-to have cattle, to be rich, to grow, to flourish, to multiply. The favorable climate of Southern Kazakhstan and the equinox are also favorable for cattle breeding.
In the Kazakh environment, Nauryztol is not accepted to sell, give to anyone, but requires special content and reverence. Such animals are usually sacrificed during Eid al-Adha. We, in turn, want to have many sunny days in the life of Nauryzbek, who was born in March.

Myrzabai OMAR,
Head of the Department of the Center of Traditions and Customs

DON’T LET THE CANDLE GO OUT!

At a wedding at this time, it has become very fashionable to blow away the candles on the cake by the newlyweds, but few people know that this is a bad ritual. Even on birthdays, which take place not only on big holidays, but also in the family circle, it is fashionable to blow off a wax candle. Small children run to put out the candles on the cake. And where do adults look who have heard since childhood that putting out the fire at the candles is a bad superstition?

The word «candle» was a sacred and sacred concept for our people. After all, the word «candle» is the words «light», «Nur», «Saule», «fire of hope». «Let the candle not go out, there is no danger», «The candle goes out from good to evil,» you can not call yourself a man if your candle is extinguished» (Dulat Babatayuly) and other concepts.

In the old days, a wise man, Biy, called his sons, before passing away, I want to leave my treasures as an inheritance to you, but for this you will replenish the house with what you need. Then the first son brought some sacks of straw and filled the house with straw, and the second son filled the house with bird down. The younger son brought a candle, lit it, and lit it up inside the house. Then sage-bi was struck by the ingenuity of the younger son and left him his fortune.

Recently, on one of the Republican TV channels, we saw the news that the oldest woman living in the northern region of the country has turned 114 years old. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren asked the grandmother to put out the lighted candles on a specially prepared cake, the grandmother fulfilled their wish and as a small child was satisfied.
This scene prompted us to write this article . In one of the addresses to the people of Kazakhstan, the Head of State N. A. Nazarbayev said: «First of all, we must pay great attention to the education of our daughters. They are future wives, future mothers, keepers of the hearth.» Therefore, we must not forget that the burning of a candle is the main evidence of the preservation of the nation as a nation.Gorenje: When the daughter-in-law crosses the threshold for the first time, the future husband, adds fuel to the fire — this is an ancient custom of the Kazakhs, which came from the time of worship of the Tengri faith, perhaps even earlier. Such rituals, which are usually called «custom» and not «tradition», which are performed as ritual actions, no one now adheres to, based on ancient concepts. Today’s brides, who add fuel to the fire, do this ritual not because they worship fire and oil, but because they respect the traditions of their ancestors, as «the path that has passed — and the last». I.e. if you want to keep the fire in your house, for this purpose, the daughter-in-law is served oil to the fire . «The fire will not go out», «the candle will not go out» for the Kazakh means the well-being of the family, as a talisman of the house, the peace of the people.All this experience is accumulated in the process of adding fuel to the fire. At the heart of this rite is a superstition: «as a fire burns when oil is poured into the fire, so life will be bright .»

Zhanat AMALBEKOVA,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs

Source:
1. https://turkystan.kz

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Rebirth

My great-grandmother came home from the village. The daughter-in-law recently gave birth, and left the hospital. My grandmother wanted to babysit her great-grandson. Since the baby was born before its due date, the grandmother told us about the ritual of holding the child between the legs, which we did not understand. After that, I put a piece of butter on the baby’s palm and licked it off. I remembered this and asked my mother what it meant. According to the mother, if a newborn baby is born prematurely, having a small weight, then this ritual of rebirth is performed. In most cases, this is done if a woman can not carry a child, or is born prematurely, with a superstition that must be believed. This small girl, at the moment turned 19 years old.
It was a popular superstition that three or seven old women would pass under their feet and perform the ritual of rebirth. Hence the names Zhetikempir, Ushkempir. The name of the daughter of Kenen Azerbayev is Cake kempir bir shal. Those newborns who performed this ritual really survived. In the village of Koksayek, Tolebi district, there is an eighty-year-old man named Ushkempir, who was given this rite.
Currently, there are no families who have not forgotten this ritual. In the country, there are those who take the son of their relative for adoption, take him in their hands and perform the ritual of rebirth. Children reborn again, often with superstition called such names as» Tursyn»,»Turar». For example, the writer Tursyn Zhurtbay writes in his memoirs that his parents also conducted a ritual and missed out from under the «seven old women». This ritual is understood to be misleading on the day when the child touched the mother’s womb.
There is no vulgarity or condemnation in Kazakh beliefs. It is our duty to convey to future generations such a rich spiritual and educational heritage that will contribute to the preservation of our nation.

Lyazzat Kadirbek,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs

A source:
1. kinship system of the Kazakh people, traditions of education, upbringing, wedding ceremonies. Publishing house «Art». 2005.
2. Halel Argynbayev. «Kazakh family traditions». Almaty publishing house «Kainar» 2005.
3. «Traditions and customs of the Kazakh people». Almaty publishing house» nomads», 2004

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THERE IS GOLD IN THE BRIDE’S WOMB…
One day Kazybek bi’s grandfather, Shanshar bi, decided to move with his village to the other side. The nomads made a halt, then in the early morning, and sometimes in the late evening, preferably near the water. If there was a favorable area, then we stopped for two or three days, and if it was dry, then we left. Residents of the village came to the head of the village Shanshar-aksakal, saying that his daughter-in-law Tokmeil, the wife of Keldibek, who was pregnant, went into labor, and we still did not get to the place. Hearing this, the priest ordered the boys: let my daughter-in-law ride my black horse, her horse is apparently already exhausted. The other horse can’t lift it, because there’s gold inside the bride.» Thus, the villagers brought the black horse Zhyrau Shanshar-abyz before Tokmeyl. It will be inconvenient for me to sit on the horse of my father — in-law, it is better for me to go next to the horse,holding the bridle-said the daughter-in-law Tokmeil. It turned out that they had already entered the land of migration. And closer to lunch, I gave birth, this child is Kazybek bi. What is the deeper meaning of this story? Here it is impossible not to notice the foresight of the Shanshar priest and the nobility of the daughter-in-law of Tokmeyl. Shanshar biy looked at the actions, words and deeds of his daughter-in-law, only he could guess what kind of child she would give birth to. And the daughter-in-law, considered it impolite to sit on the horse of her father-in-law and showed nobility. And why today we have reduced the noble daughters-in-law, preserving the way of life of our ancestors?
Previously, when the young daughter-in-law was pregnant, she was ashamed to divulge this news and even tell her parents. On the one hand, this will contribute to the safe birth of the child and facilitate the passage of this stage by the bride. During pregnancy, a pregnant woman, being shy of her parents and brothers, did not even go to her parents ‘ house. Knowing that this is the school of education of today’s expectant mothers, publishes a photo of a pregnancy test on the network. Isn’t it a national tragedy when even pregnant women pose naked, exposing their wombs and spreading themselves out in front of millions of people? Is the unborn child, lying in the womb, can be protected from the tongue and the evil eye? Previously, when announcing a pregnancy, our mothers kept their belly secret for nine months, hiding from prying eyes.
Another tradition that came from the West is that daughters-in-law now, at the most inopportune moment, celebrate the «Gender party». I.e., after an ultrasound, a woman or a couple’s friends have a tendency to pass on the sex of the child to others in different ways. This mess, which is determined by the color of the cake or ball, the clothes of the unborn child, hidden in a box, sometimes ends with a wedding. Unfortunately, such an event has become a trend among young people, popular stars and bloggers who spend a lot of time on social networks. Isn’t it dangerous for the younger generation? The above examples show that our people saved the baby from the evil of an alien world.
From the very beginning, the Kazakhs considered the name Kelin sacred and were proud of the successor of the family. However, there are also brides who are dirty on the holy horse today. Muhammad (S. G. S.) came to the Prophet with a two-year-old child and said: «At what age should we start education?» and asks questions. Then the Messenger of Allah said, » We are two years and nine months too late.» It is also possible to learn from this hadith that the upbringing of a child begins in the womb. But today, instead of starting to raise a child from the womb, we want expectant mothers to think about exposing it and posting it online. Do you also have gold inside you, young mother?! Do you know that you give it to a foreign language on your own?

Camila MUSA,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs

A source:
1.Qarmaqshy-tany.kz site. /https://qarmaqshy-tany.kz/zanalyk/ruhaniyt/16572-kelnn-rsaynda-altyn-zhatyr.html
2. Adyrna.kz site. News agency.
3. Website. https://m.vk.com/wall-99151266_1737

Wearing onirzhiyok is a symbol of reproduction and prosperity of generations.

My brother is going to get married. The bride is from the western region. Girls wear jewelry in national styles,dazzlingly beautiful. I was particularly interested in the necklace around her neck. Then I decided to dress in the national color, as I saw at my brother’s wedding. I told her about this idea, and she agreed with me. She was about fifty, though she looked very young.
I was not particularly pleased that I took for myself, and for her, the onirzhiyok necklace, the same for the wedding. Instead, I bought a chain. Then, when we were alone, we began a conversation with a relative.
«Are you offended that I didn’t wear your necklace?» Wearing it also has its own secret. Women wore the necklace until they were 45-50 years old, that is, until the age when they are able to give birth to children. And when they get older, have grandchildren, call them grandmother, then they put on one quadrilateral that separated the lower part, and wore it as a necklace. The multi-faceted keychain on the side of the necklace symbolizes the prosperity of generations. Two long ovals on the surface, in the center of which are painted beautiful patterns, mean that the whole world was originally created by man. Without man, there would be no offspring on earth. This means that the beginning of life lies in a man, including on the lower back. Especially pregnant women always wore the necklace without taking it off. So
that the attention of a person falls not on the belly of a pregnant woman, but on her jewelry, as a talisman against the evil eye. I was amazed at my relative’s knowledge. I was very ashamed of my stupid thoughts that she did not like my gift. In principle, in our southern region, as in the Western Region, everyday national clothing and jewelry have gone out of the rite. Despite this, all the women who did not know its meaning admired her knowledge, Kazakh character.
After that, I continued my search for the region. This decoration was worn by Kazakh girls, mostly different in age. When the girl grew up, along with other jewelry, she wore a sparkling amulet for the purpose of «til-koz tomesin». It was made by a jeweler from silver, as an angular or round tube, inside of which there was a void, in which a prayer was laid, protecting against pain and the evil eye. Girls, at the time of growing up, wore onirtal jewelry. The decoration was made of two boards, bound with silver chains. Mostly made of red glass or white stone, a chain was tied around his neck. After a girl gets married and becomes a mother, she puts on a necklace that is thicker, consisting of three boards. More boards is a symbol of having many children. The first, second, third, and fourth boards are square and have a great significance in the fact that the last board is located in the Five corners at the bottom. I.e., the mother in the future gave birth to many descendants, which meant «reproduction».
So I got very deep into the mystery of the necklace. Jewelry with a Kazakh flavor, unfortunately, is now only worn at weddings and Nauryz holidays. And if you make it everyday, then it will be laid down in the depths of our soul.

Zhanat AMALBEKOVA,
Employee of the Center of Traditions and Customs

When one girl gets married, forty girls have dreams.

A friend of mine married her son and we were invited to the wedding. Good wishes were expressed, and the newlyweds were delighted. At the end of the wedding, the friends of the couple wished them happiness and began to dance. At some point, the toastmaster gathered the young girls in the center, and the bride stood with her back to them, and threw the bouquet to the girls. The girls, trying to catch the bouquet, continued to make noise. Even when one stumbled and fell, and one girl’s face was spilled with broth, because of the bouquet that no one caught. This happened when the guests began to disperse, and all this shame occurred towards the end of the celebration. I left the feast in complete disappointment.

The dizziness, the tinnitus, the struggle all looked somehow shameful ? It’s a shame, it was for our Kazakh girls, very unpleasant.
Why such a tradition to fight for the bride’s bouquet? In the people, the girl on her wires, gave her friends owl feathers, or a handkerchief. We see some changes when the daughter-in-law of batyr Bauyrzhan Momyshuly Zeynep Akhmetova advised to introduce this rite at weddings, but not everyone adheres to this rite.
My mother said that we should not give in to any manifestations that are alien to the traditions and customs of our nation. In our hands is the continuation of the national heritage left by our ancestors. There are even kinder traditions in the customs of the ancestors. In the Kazakh family, the girl was considered «uy kuti», and the parents who gave birth to the first child, a girl, were very happy saying «yrys aldy-kyz». As soon as the girl grew up, they dressed her in a beautiful red dress, and put her in the most honorable place. The proverb «Kyzyldy-kyzyna, uzyndy-ulyna» in our language is formed in connection with this tradition. The girl who came of age wore a thin red scarf on her head when she walked around the house, and went out into the street in a Karkarala skullcap. Girls in such outfits were called «karkaraly kyz», «kyzil oramaldy kyz».

And from the day of her marriage, she wore a white handkerchief on her head as a sign that the girl was married, leaving her previously worn red handkerchief at the wedding to her unmarried sisters. This superstition is called «shargy salu». «Shargy salu» means to give an unmarried sister a red handkerchief of a married girl. With your best wishes, let the next wedding be yours.»

It is a viable tradition that embodies the traditions of decency in human kinship relationships. It would be nice if the ceremony at Kazakh weddings, instead of «throwing a bouquet», went to «shargy salu» or to the distribution of owl feathers.
Rayhan ALTYBAYEVA,
Researcher at the Center for Traditions and Customs
Source:
1. «Kazakh traditions and customs» Seit Kenzheakhmetovich
2. Qazaq gazetteri July 15, 2015

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The meaning of the word tos Tartu?

Today, every hospitable family
keeps the tos for the groom. But, not many of us know why it is given to the groom. Not so long ago, our relative married off his daughter. Then I was told to bring tos for the groom. — I know how to lift it, but I do not know what this tradition is for. Even told the daughter of a relative: «tell the groom, let him not come with empty pockets, tomorrow I will raise the tos. Well, she asks: «What is TOC, what is it given for?» To be honest, at this point I was very ashamed not to answer. Then I answered: I’ll tell you when you get there. Then I asked the older sister in the family: «does she know why the groom is given tos». I was inwardly delighted when my sister answered without any hesitation. They say that for the groom, this means that the torso or chest should be the same as the two-wall support for the two families. In addition, the groom should keep in mind that he will be comfortable with the bride’s relatives. So that my daughter’s words are soft, so that there are no disappointments.

Well, we, not understanding its secret, are deeply mistaken, thinking that this is just a way to thicken our pockets. There were cases when before one feast, the groom did not get up until he ate a fat tos. The young groom at the wedding stood with an upset stomach. Is it not right to observe the rite and not perform its attributes, thereby causing disgust among young people to our traditions? Therefore, today, this tradition must go through all the stages of compliance with the rules, and is our legacy for the future generation.

It turned out that the brisket (tos) of a ram also has medicinal properties for men. The junction of the entire wall-fat breast contains nutrition that nourishes the prostate. Our former ancestors knew this. Sincerely, the daughter, the groom, it seems to me that in the case of mass breastplate capacity. So, today, for the prevention of impotence among men, the wise Kazakh put an end to marriage. The chest becomes fat, yet the heart is not touched.Doctors also recognized that in various stressful conditions, colds, lamb breast saves and restores from inflammation. Therefore, if you want your child to be aware of events, then you must be sure that you will not have health problems, and you will not have health problems.

Zhanar Amirkulova,
Methodist of the Center of Traditions and Customs

Source:
1. «groom keltir, Kyz uzat, toyyndy kyl «Almaty, «Sanat», 1994
2. «Patterns of the steppe» Nurkasym Kazybekov Almaty, «Balausa», 1994
3. Website. https://massaget.kz/

Features of the Kobyz tool.

Kobyz is a common musical instrument for the Turkic peoples. Information about kobyz is found in the writings of the Middle Ages, archaeological excavations. They are made of strong wood, such as elderberry, maple. In ancient times, the performers were shamans.
In the campaign played sitting on a horse, the enemy. Warriors, the sounds of the instrument gave strength, inspired heroic deeds.
The data is contained in the works of Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina. A. Margulan said that the structure is associated with the cult of the swan. The Korkyt psalms praise the kobyz instrument. Each hero carried a kobyz tool with him. In early times, all psalms were accompanied by kobyz. According to Shokan, the most recent zhyrau spoken by Kobyz is Zhanak. For the first time, Ykylas Dukenuly introduced us to the information about kobyz. Data on the features of kobyz are widely distributed among the people. Shamans exorcised demons with him. We treated patients with mental disorders.
The legend of kobyz has been spread from generation to generation. Mourning the master of the kobyz was making the sound, the string itself is terminated. In any case, the kobyz is a sacred instrument. A person who is under stress, as a therapy helps motives kobyz. Even suicide, which often happens these days, has an opposing force.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO CUT MEAT?

Our ancestors have always known that meat is stored for a long time. In addition, it is clear to the Kazakh that the benefits of meat are more significant than young meat.
Each region of Kazakhstan produces meat in its own way.
* Salting
Not only meat of the warbler variety, but also Goose and old, Mane and legs, spine and breast. The meat should be dried in a cool place, without exposing it to the sun.
* Belly mascara
The method of stuffing is carried out by storing meat in the stomach. Here, beef or lamb meat is salted and absorbed by itself when put in the stomach.
* Domestic storage of livestock
«I don’t know,» he said. Such meat will be very tasty.
* End face in flour
This is how valuable horses were stored, such as Kazy-karta, Zhal-Zhai. In the flour, the meat is placed deeper.
* Boiling and drying
After the salt is absorbed into the young meat, it is brought to a boil in a cauldron and dried. Meat should be cut into slices, hung in the evening cool.
Well, what method do you use when cutting meat?

                                  How did the Kazakh people protect a child from eyes and words?
Since childhood, the Kazakh child has been striving to raise and educate the head of the family. He was never told that he was beautiful, because he was afraid that the eyes, the words would touch him. Therefore, the children’s forehead is covered with soot, dirt, because the newborn will be weak. Their work is so terrible that they do not suppress it. It is not for nothing that he has a bad character, and his life is threatened.
It is also a ritual to make a talisman out of the shirt of a child from the fortieth generation, which has existed since time immemorial. Former heroes, Chechens, and leaders carried the same amulet when they went to the enemy, believing that it would bring them good luck. Because there is a good superstition in Kazakhs that the child is guarded by angels for forty days. And in the evening, the washed clothes did not turn to the stars, because the child wakes up in shock at night, thinking that he is suffering from an incurable disease.

                                            HOW DOES THE» WINTER JULY » PASS IN YOUR REGION?
People’s accountants predict what the coming winter will be like, correlating it with the weather in other seasons. For example, they say:» if spring is born early, winter also falls early»,» if summer is rainy, winter will be stormy»,» if summer is hot, winter will be cold»,» if Brown autumn passes quickly, expect a harsh winter». This knowledge was of great importance when the Kazakh boy, who grew up with four children, moved from zhailau to autumn, and then to winter.
In particular, the first frost in early December is the red of kyrbas. In the northern regions of Kazakhstan, winter begins to fall very early, with severe frosts. According to the people’s understanding, on the first day of January, the sun rises, when the weather changes, snow falls, snow drifts and blizzards are possible.
And the» Winter July » frosts from the last 15 to 29 January. Kazakhs call it «Winter July-January». «I don’t know,» he said. People’s accountants believed that if the angle between Urker and the Moon was formed into a rectangle, the time of «winter July» would begin.

                                                             Ashamaiga mingizu.

This ceremonial custom has the great educational meaning and declares the new period in a boy’s life. When he is six or seven years of age, he is gifted a horse, kamcha (the lash) is solemnly put into his hands, he is seated on the tamed and saddled horse and is announced to be a zhigit since that moment. It promotes the child, and he begins to feel responsible. Then he is engaged in work. At such a solemn moment called ‘Ashamaiga mingizu’ the child’s grandpa gives blessing to his grandson, and his grandma grandly strews him with shashu. Elder children perform baiga (races), and grown-ups make a little party.

Tusaukeser.

   The cutting of fetters. This ceremony is performed when the baby makes his first steps. His legs are tied with the thin colorful string, which is entrusted to be cut to an energetic man having many children. Songs and wishes for a baby to stand firmly on his feet and go along his life confidently accompany this custom. The feast follows the ceremony. In old times after ‘tusaukeser’ the child was presented with a horse and saddle. The colorful string means that in life, there happen to be not only white, but also periods, and the future zhigit must be able to overcome difficulties.

Besikke salu

“Besik” (cradle) is a sacred relic of every family. It is usually gifted to a grandchild by mother`s relatives “nagashy”. Besik is kept at home carefully and is passed on from the old to next generation. Sometimes the son chances to sleep in his father`s cradle.

When a baby is put in his cradle for the first time, the custom “besikke salu” (to put in the cradle) is performed. Traditionally, the right to fulfil such a responsible task belongs to a specially invited for the event wise and respected grandma having many children.

Before putting the baby into the cradle, the woman ties to its head an amulet which according to the belief, will protect the child from evil spirits, then into the hole located in the center of the cradle, where a special pot for the baby’s dryness and cleanness is set (the ancestor of nowadays pampers), people throw sweets. Right away childless women take them.

After the baby is put into the cradle, it is covered with seven different things; each of them has its own meaning and according to the belief may influence the child’s destiny. For example, a fur coat or expensive chapan is a symbol of prosper

Kyrkynan shygaru

The forty first day since the baby is born, a few women gather in his house and wash him, trim his hair and nails for the first time.

Women who performed the custom receive their gifts appreciation, and everybody who is present at this significant event is invited to dastarkhan. By the way, numbers 3, 7, and 41 Kazakh think the most especial and lucky.

Giving names

Kazakhs attach a great importance to this solemn ceremony.

They to give the baby a beautiful name or a name of a famous person, in order for the child to become like that famous person.

This custom is entrusted to be performed to respected people, who give the newly born their blessing (bata) right away.

Shikdehana

Shikdehana is a toi organized when a baby is born.

At the daytime friends and acquaintances come to wish well, they say “kutty bolsyn” (be happy).

In the evening the guests gather and have fun, sing songs, play dombra (Kazakh national instrument with two strings), and enjoy their food.

Kindik keser.

The Kazakh folk has a nation “kindik sheshe”. When the child is born, women are standing ready to cut the newly born baby’s navel-string. Often they argue who should do it. The right to make “kindik kesu” (to cut the baby`s navel-string) is given to a respected woman or a wise grandma, and after that the woman receives her traditional present “kindik keser”. Further on she is called “kindik sheshe” (sheshe means mother) and she is also regarded as this child’s mother. Afterwards “kindik sheshe” may come to the house where the child is growing up and ask for anything, and she`ll never be refused.

Zharyskazan

“Zharyskazan” is a custom performed during the woman’s birth pangs. While waiting for a happy piece of news, grandmas and close women relatives of the husband gather round the delivering woman, and, trusting in powers of Bibi Fatima and asking her help, arrange “kazan zharys” (literally, zharys means competitions). The women who try to cook it before an expected child is born faster put smoked meat or something delicious into a cauldron. After the baby is born, women eat together what they have cooked.

Kimeshek kigizu

“Kimeshek” is the married woman’s head-dress. During her first year in the new house the young daughter-in-law wears a little kerchief on her head, and “saukele” (the bride’s head-dress) she may wear only for tois and holidays. Kazakh women do not wear saukele after the wedding.

After the first kid’s birth women of aul specially come to the daughter’s-in-law house and put “kimeshek” on her head, which conceals her neck and shoulders. Only her face remains uncovered. In northern regions, this custom is called “zhaulyk saldy.”

Neke kiyar

“Neke kiyar” is a wedding ceremony. Marriage is a sacred notion, a symbol of loyalty and affection in every person’s life. To observe this custom, organizers invite mullah (the priest) and place before him a cup filled with water and covered with a piece of fabric. The close relatives and friends of both the bride and bridegroom gather round. Mullah says prayers, and then via witness, following the special formula, he asked if the boy and girl agree to be married.

According to shariat (the Muslim body of law), if the bride is pregnant, this wedding ceremony is cancelled, and performed only after a child is born. Also, this ceremony is prohibited for young people, being relatives is one of the seven generations, because until the seventh generation Kazakh are considered to be relatives.

Betashar

Betashar, the ritual of unveiling the bride’s face (showing the bride to the bridegroom’s relatives and guests), is obligatory accompanied with the traditional song-zhyr. The bride fully dressed in her wedding outfit is brought to the yurta of the bridegroom’s father, where all the guests are gathered. At both her sides, holding her by arms, well-bred and respectful daughters-in-law are standing. “Betashar” includes the acquaintance of the bride with her future husband’s relatives; here good pieces of advice and wishes for happy family life are being expressed. The singer, master of improvisations, characterizing in verses each of the respected relative, requests the bride to bow in his honor; and in reply to that the future husband`s close relatives give “korimdik” (the gift for the viewing). “Betashar” ends with admonitions, wishes, and advice.

Kelin tusiru

         Kelin tusiru (kelin – daughter-in-law, tusiru – here, to welcome) is bride’s arrival to her bridegroom’s home. For Kazakh people the cherished dream, the b3ggest joy and the greatest toi is “kelin tusiru”. Whole aul gets ready for this celebration. The bride must not be brought straight to the threshold of the house. Traditionally, she is left with her “zhenge” at the considerable distance from aul. Girls and newly made wives meet the bride and, disguising her face, bring her into the house and seat her behind “shymyldyk” (curtain, portiere) together with other girls. The threshold must be stepped over by the right foot. The receiving party strews everybody with shashu and congratulate them. The bride is accompanied with her mother, sisters, and zhenges. All her parents and friends are invited to aul; the feast with foods and various kinds of entertainment (singer`s competitions, games, etc.) is organized. But everybody is very anxious to see the future “kelin” (daughter-in-law). Once all the guests are gathered, the bride is solemnly brought out in her rich wedding outfit, her face covered with the veil (shawl), and a singer, master of improvisations, begins to sing “betashar”.