Kazakh traditions and holidays

Shapauov Alibi

Doctor, Associate Professor. Kokshetau State Univtrsity n.a. Sh.Ualikhanov.

Kazahstan. E-mail: shapau@mail.ru

Kazakh folk customs are discovered in the wedding ritual. The attitude of the bridge`s parents to the brigegroom was free from many customs dictated by Islam. After the engayement and the first bayment of Kalym the bridgeroom had a right to visit the bride “secretly” usually at the brother`s place or at the house of the bride`s relatives.The second visit was open when Islam didn`t have great influence of the family life of Kazakh people the family ties were secured (скреплены) by the people`s common approving, singing chorus the song sing in chorus.“Zhar – zhar” perfoed at the vedding celebration. “Zhar-zhar” is a song – competition. It`s usually sung two groups of youg people. The men`s group is headed by the brigegroom and the women`s one by the bride. The tradition demanded that the bride accompanied by her friends and singing a farewell (прощение) song should vizit every yurta of aul and neighbouring ones.

In the bridegroom`s aul the bride was greeted by the traditional singing, which was called “bet ashar” (openning of the bride`s fase). Besides kalym the brideroom`s relatives prepared different presents for bride`s relatives.The bride`s parents were not in debt either.

During the engagement they had to give the pledge ( залог верности) of the engagement`s volidity and presents for propesing people. The bride`s trousslau cost very dear, some-times exceeding the cost of the Kalym. Folk celebrations played a great role in the cultural life of Kazakh people and they were dedicated to the most important events in life – wedding, birth of a chield, funeral. At the celebrations diferent games wwere arranged: HORSE RACES - , wresting – kures, fighting of the horsemen who had to throw each other down from horses – saiys (сайыс) or snatch (вырвать) the goot`s carcass one from another kokpar. Valuable prizes were prepared for the participants of these games.

The New year Day – Nauriz – was celebrated by the Kazakhs as a beginning of spring.

During the celebration of Nauryz relatives made up at the festive table, exchanged presens and wished prosperity to each other.

The main ritual dish of this ancient holidays is Nayryz Kozhe.

It includes 7 compulsory elements, each standing (олицетворять) for a vital beginning: water, meat, flour, miller (пшено) (vice, wheat), milk, salt, butter. Thse components symbolize happiness, luck, youth, health, wealth.