Kazakhstan Hospitality

       Kazakhstan Hospitality

The Kazakh people have a long tradition of peace, tolerance and co-existence. Children learn hospitality and respect from a very young age, and this is reflected in the wonderful hospitality offered to all guests and travelers. If you visit a Kazakh household - whether or not you are expected - those present will stand up in greeting as you enter the door. You will be seated on the tor - the special guest seat and offered a cup of either kumiss or tea. It is considered extremely poor manners to disturb the weary or hungry guest, so the host often remains silent until you are refreshed!

      Kazakhstan Customs and Traditions

Kazakhstan’s territory is immense, occupying an area about half the size of the United States. Most of the vast expanses are steppe; semi-arid land, desolate and frozen in the winter that turn to lush, green meadow beginning mid-spring. The steppes are invaluable pastureland for the sheep, horses, cattle, and camels that are essential to the Kazakh people.

      The ancestors of modern-day Kazakhs were nomadic or semi-nomadic, and many of their customs reflect that lifestyle. Nowadays, people live mostly in cities and villages, although many still lead an agricultural life.

Not surprisingly, horses play a large part in their traditions. It is said that in the past, many Kazakh children learned to ride before they learned to walk, and the Kazakhs are still known for their superb horsemanship. They were the first to use stirrups, and perfected the technique of shooting arrows with superb accuracy while riding at a gallop. No traveler should miss an opportunity to watch such displays of riding skill.

       As a result of their nomadic lifestyle, the Kazakhs developed one of the most efficient and practical transportable dwellings - the yurt, which has many uses today. As you travel through Kazakhstan, you will see different types of these low, cylindrical felt and wood houses, still in use and beautifully decorated with tapestries, and multicolored embroidery. Overnight excursions to yurt camps are extremely popular with travelers.

Kazakhstan Weddings

According to Kazakh custom, a wedding lasts 40 days, beginning with the matchmaking. The fiancй's relatives act as matchmakers, bringing gifts to the bride's parents and asking for their consent to the marriage. Sometimes it is the bride who chooses whether to accept the offer, using diplomacy and tact to avoid an unhappy situation.

      One such case is described in legend: Abilah Khan fell in love with a beautiful girl from a poor family, but she was already promised to another man - an ordinary warrior. In order to avoid hurting Abylai Khan's feelings and angering him, she set a task for him. She promised to marry him if he could shoot an arrow higher than a certain mountain near a lake.

        She sat on a rock in the middle of the lake to watch his efforts, and no matter how hard he tried to shoot the arrow into the sky it would not rise beyond the mountaintop. Her plan had been that, should Khan have been able to fulfill the task, she would jump from the rocky island to the stones below. This mountain is now known as Okzhetpes “Unachievable with an arrow”, and the lake is called Zhumbaktas Riddle-stone”.

        Kazakhstan Festivals

        The first day of spring begins the Muslim New Year. In Kazakhstan, this holiday is known asNauryz, and it is said that the more you celebrate at this time, the greater will be your success throughout the year. In fact, the celebration goes on for nearly a month! It’s a time to visit and congratulate friends and neighbors, and also a time to forgive each other. Guests are met in beautifully decorated yurts where they enjoy a traditional dish of Nauryz koshe, which is made with seven different grains, representing the seven days of the week.

         Many Kazakh festivals feature horse racing or other games that are played on horseback. One endurance race features as many as two hundred participants, with riders going around a mile-long track for about thirty laps. Other games include Kokpar - a type of polo, Kumis Alu, where riders attempt to pick a handkerchief off the ground while galloping at full speed, or Kuuz Kuu – “catch the girl”, where the boys try to best the girls in a race.

        Kazakhstan Cuisine

        Just as other aspects of Kazakh culture reflect its nomadic past, its cuisine retains many of these traditions. Of prime importance is hospitality to the guests, who receive a special welcome and are offered a place of honor. After the guest has enjoyed kumiss or another fermented milk drink like kefir, the meal is served.

Also of historical importance are the main ingredients of the meal. Traditionally, Kazakh cuisine was based mostly on meat (including horse meat) and milk products. The dastarkhan - feast table, is always laden with good things to eat. Kazakhstan is famous for its apples, for shashlik – a kind of shish-kebob, for plov – rice pilaf – found everywhere in Central Asia and for its tradtions of taking tea – many times a day! As in the rest of Central Asia, the chaikana or tea house is a relaxing meeting place for friends and conversation.

As Kazakhstan has moved into the modern world, dishes and ingredients from other cuisines have also found their way to the table. Now you will find Uzbek, Russian, Tatar, and Korean dishes intermingled with Kazakh ones, and many introduced fruits, vegetables, and herbs and spices now available locally have also broadened the cuisine.

       Kazakhstan National Dress

The country's nomadic past is reflected in traditional clothing. Outerwear was historically made from leather, felt and fur. For indoor wear, beautiful satin gowns and trousers were richly decorated with embroidery that often included beads and precious stones.

       The wedding headdresses of Kazakh brides were especially striking, tall caps with intricate filigree work and a diadem set with semi-precious stones, as well as pendants hanging from the temple and chin adornments.

As the population became more urbanized and more and more people began purchasing clothing, even the traditional costumes sewn at home were simpler and made of less opulent materials. Nowadays, the Kazakh national dress varies according to region

       Kazakhstan Music

        Ancient cave paintings found in Kazakhstan show people dancing and making music. From these roots, the musical and poetic tradition has continued to the present day. However, those cave paintings may be the last recorded image of Kazakhstan's music. Created and sung by nomadic tribes for thousands of years, these songs have been preserved only through oral tradition for most of their history. It wasn't until the early part of the 20th century that Kazakh music was recorded . Visitors to Kazakhstan will be captivated by incredible solo vocal and instrumental music reflecting the spirit of the landscapes and natural world.

Kazakhs have a great love of the spoken word. The akyns -poets, are an important part of society, improvising at public competitions to the musical accompaniment of the stringed dombraor kobyz.

       Traditional Kazakh musical culture has shown changes in modern times. New conditions are reflected in the renewal of themes for works of art, and have led a move of musicians to the professional stage. The development of the musical education system in Kazakhstan has led to the appearance of an entire school of musicians of a new type who read sheet music, have special European-standard education and know the traditional Kazakh music inside and out. Orchestras of Kazakh instruments and folkloric ensembles have sprouted out simultaneously, more important, individual folk musicians have kept their community status.

A significant peculiarity of Kazakh musical culture is that throughout its history up until the first quarter of the last Century it remained non-written. Music was the mainstay of our oral tradition.

      The wisdom and viability of that oral tradition lie in the preservation of its artistic values for following generations.

       The fact that musical art was oral left a mark on the interconnection between the performer and the listeners. A musician is an artist who creates art in front of the public. An artist performs works and improvises in direct contact with the audience. Every prominent musician had followers and pupils. They learnt through the process of artistic interaction between a teacher and a pupil.

        Popular at all levels of traditional society were aytyses, music and poetry competitions between akyns (improvising poets). They were widely popular and loved in Kazakh society. Similar competitions took place in Western Europe, for example: competitions of Meistersingers in Germany.

        The tradition of oral art has been rejuvenated in our time. Aityses are again part of Kazakh daily life. They take place on important occasions, draw huge crowds and are featured on television. Most musicians are taught the traditional oral form since it sets free and opens the musician’s fullest artistic potential. 

        Many events of ancient times, the Middle Ages and modern history are reflected in folk songs and kuyis. Music preserved landmark moments in the life of a society linked to conquests by Alexander the Great and Tamerlane. A great number of the ancient kyuis are devoted to the time when the Kazakh Khanate was founded in the 15th Century. The Kazakh people suffered through hardships in the 18th Century when the Semirechie region was invaded by the Dzhungars. That time, which took place in 1723, was called Kaigy Tere Kaseret Zhyldary, (Years of Great Calamity). The song Elimai, for example, is dedicated to this troubled time.

        The anticolonial and antifeudal movement under Isatai Taimanov and Makhambet Utemisov, his fellow fighter and a fiery poet, gained wide spread support in the 1830s. Many poems and kyuis by Makhambet were born as a direct response to events accompanying the uprising. 

        The role of folk music in Kazakh society is a great one. Kazakhstan is a country of highly developed cultures and has a lively musical life, diverse and rich in oral traditions as well as musical. In addition to classical genres and modern music, folk music occupies a distinguished place. Songs and kuyis are heard everywhere. Amateurs and recognized masters of the stage both sing them.

        Kazakh folk music is popular across the generations. Younger people take pleasure in learning how to play folk instruments, learning secrets of folk singing and they express strong interest and excitement in traditions of aitys and tartys (a competition of instrumentalists).

The Kazakh musical tradition is supported by a wide range of uniquely Kazakh musical instruments.

    The dombra, a two stringed instrument, is the most commonly played Kazakh 

folk instrument. Its history reaches back at least 2,000 years according to archeological evidence. During archeological digs at the ancient city of  Khorezm, archeologists found little terracotta statues of musicians playing two stringed instruments played by plucking which have evolved in today’s dombra.

    There are two traditions of playing the  dombra which have influenced its form. 

Dombras with long thin necks are made for playing fast virtuoso kuyis of the 

Tokpe tradition. The other tradition, Shertpe, teaches soft plucking of strings with the fingers. So necks for dombras in that tradition are wide and shorter. 

    The kobyz is an ancient string instrument played with a bow with two strings made with hair. Kobyzes traditionally were sacred instruments, owned by shamans and bakses (traditional spiritual medics). According to legends, the kobyz and its music could banish evil spirits, sicknesses and death. In the 1930s, when the first folk instrument orchestras were established, a new kind of kobyz came into existence. It now had four metallic strings and is became closer to a violin. A modernized kobyz can be used to play both Kazakh music and the most complicated works of violin literature. Until today, the tradition of playing the ancient kyl-kobyz is preserved. Its sound projects a unique almost magical force.

     The sybyzgy is a wind instrument. It is widely used in Kazakhstan and is particularly among rural peoples such as chabans (shepherds). It is easy to make and was traditionally created from a hollow cane tube where holes were drilled. There are also wooden sybyzgys.

     The saz syrnai and uskirik are small hollow clay instruments with 1, 2 or 3 oval holes made in the form of birds or animals. They produce a soft sound.

     The dabyl and the dauylpaz are percussion instruments and used to have extensive usage in Kazakh life. Loud percussion sounds were used to gather people in the auyls (villages) for hunting and religious rites or to give notice for the upcoming move to a new place. Remember, Kazakhs were nomads.

      Currently, folk ensembles and orchestras use other Kazakh musical instruments, for example: azhetygen, a stringed instrument played by plucking and resembling a harp, a sherter, another stringed instrument played by plucking which is smaller than a dombra and with a stronger and more sonorous sound, and a shankobyz, a metallic instrument known in the West as a mouth harp.

      The brightness and distinctive sound of Kazakh music should interest Americans. You see, a nation’s folk music is its best ambassador. It develops a feeling of adoration for the infinite diversity and beauty of the folk genre and the very sound of folk instruments. It will open a new unexplored world. Kazakh music will touch the hearts of the Americans!

       Kazakhstan Bazaars

       Every town and city has a bazaar in Central Asia. It’s the center of life and business. The Zelyony Bazaar in Almaty has hundreds of stalls offering everything imaginable, including the wonderful Alma-Ata apples that are local to the region and fantastic fresh spices. Here you can find handicrafts, clothes, and toys, and experience the sights and sounds of a traditional bustling bazaar. Near the bazaar, on the side streets, local residents from all walks of life bring items they may have for sale for a makeshift flea market. Here you may find some real bargains, including memorabilia from the Soviet era.

      Kazakhstan Applied & Decorative Art Carpet weaving and decoration in Kazakhstan is unique. Besides the traditional loomed rugs, Kazakh artisans are also known for their remarkable felt work. Several different techniques are used for various types of carpeting, such as the beautiful and complex applique work of tuskiiz, used on walls, or the intricate mosaic carpets made from fabric patches for guests to sit on.

       During the middle ages, Kazakhstan was a center for the manufacture of enameled ceramics. Wood and leather were mostly used for vessels, and these are still made today. Steppe zergers – jewelers, favor white silver and the ornate Kazakh bracelets are irresistible.

        Everywhere you look, you will see a love of beauty, as even the most commonplace articles are lavishly decorated. Women's headdresses, articles of clothing, even saddle-cloths are exquisitely embroidered. Leather articles, such as harnesses, water flasks, and belts, as well as wooden cups, large bowls and ladles are all beautifully decorated with traditional designs.

        The Kazakhs are an extremely hospitable people. If you come to a Kazakh home unexpected you will be received as if you had been invited. Since early childhood principles of respect of guests and older people as well as peacefulness and tolerance are instilled in every Kazakh and these are the national features of Kazakh culture and tradition. This is why Kazakhstan never had any national or religious conflicts in its history. Traditionally every guest is offered national Kazakh cuisine at the dastarkhan (the low table) in a yurt.

        The yurt is one of the most sensible movable house. It is a comfortable and practical home, ideally suited to the local conditions and way of life – one of the greatest inventions of Eurasian nomads.

It is easily taken apart (it is said that a Kazakh woman can do it in half an hour) and carried on horses and camels. The yurt consists of three main elements: an extensible trellis base (the kerege), a dome made of poles (the uyk) and a round top (the shanyrak).

In ancient times Turks were reputed as the most skillful felt-makers. Nowadays the Kazakhs use felt to cover the yurt and for its internal decoration, as well as to make carpets, dresses and shoes. The Kazakhs live in surrounded with ornaments. They richly decorate their yurts with wall carpets and multi-colored embroideries.

Handy Crafts – harnesses, felt mats (tekemets), articles made of wood, bone and metal – are lavishly decorated. Headdresses, dresses, bags and saddle-cloths are beautifully embroidered. They use traditional designs and carvings to make and decorate the wooden cups, large bowls and ladles used to serve for kumis (fermented mare's milk).

The horns of mountain rams and goats are used to decorate beds and caskets. Leather is used to make quivers, belts, harnesses and flasks (torsyks) for water and kumis Kazakh artisans are also very skillful jewelers.

Steppe zergers (jewelers.) favor white silver. Traditional Kazakh bell-shaped earrings, original bracelets (blezics), or the traditional bracelet linked to three rings by fine chains will certainly attract you.

The Kazakh national dress varies by regions. Men wear chapans, a kind of dressing gown with a belt, made of velvet and richly embroidered. They cover their heads with a soft skullcap (tobetai), a tall felt cap (kalpak) or a fox-fur hat with earflaps (malakai).

The women's national costume consists of a white cotton or colored silk dress, a velvet waistcoat with embroidery and a cap or a silk scarf. Elderly women wear a hood made of white cloth with a hole for the face (the kimeshek). Brides wear a tall pointed, richly decorated hat, topped with feathers (saukele).

Nauryz (the Islamic New Year) is one of the biggest holidays in Central Asia. It is celebrated on the day of spring equinox of March 22. On that day, the streets of villages and towns are transformed. Guests are met in beautiful yurts with the traditional Nauryz kozhe dish made of seven traditional ingredients. People respecting this nearly month-long holiday forgive each other debts and offences. 

National games: these are usually performed on horse-back and are an opportunity to witness the Kazakh's outstanding riding skills. Kazaksha kures (Kazakh wrestling), baiga (horse racing over 25, 50 or 100 km), kokpar (a sort of polo game played with a dead goat), kyz-kuu (catch the girl) and alty bakan (six-pole swing).