RSE on REM "Republican blood center" of the
Ministry of health of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Rituals and customs of the Kazakh people since ancient times

|. CUSTOMS

The Kazakh people sacredly honor the customs and traditions inherited from their ancestors. For the sake of objectivity, it should be said that over the years of existence, the Kazakh nation has accumulated so much baggage in this area that it is practically impossible to tell about all the traditions and customs inherent in the descendants of the sultans Zhanibek and Kerey (the founders of the Kazakh Khanate) in one article.

The main tradition of the Kazakhs, which eventually transformed into a feature of the national character, is hospitality. There is an unofficial law in Kazakh society, voiced in ancient times. It says - meet the guest as a messenger of God.

Hospitality is considered a sacred duty in Kazakh society. At all times, the steppe people did everything possible to please the guest. Therefore, every traveler, going on the road, knew that he would be warmly welcomed in any corner of the Kazakh land.

Respect for elders is another positive feature of the Kazakh people. Traditionally, a child from the "young nails" is taught restraint and integrity when dealing with adults, wise people with life experience.

However, the above-mentioned national peculiarities, the basis for the emergence of which were generalized norms and principles of public relations (traditions), fortunately, are inherent not only to representatives of the Kazakh people. Therefore, next, we offer you a list of the main customs that have become widespread in Kazakh society.



  1. 1. Traditions and customs related to the presentation of gifts

    Suyinshi is a custom according to which a traveler who brings good news to the house receives a valuable gift from the owners in gratitude.

    "At mingizip shapan zhabu" is a high honor. According to tradition, dear guest, they can be akyn, batyr or just a very respected person who visited the village, in recognition of his merits, receives a horse and an expensive chapan (camel wool robe with a calico lining) as a gift from the locals.

    Bes zhaksy is a gift consisting of five valuable things at the same time.It includes: a camel ("kara nar"), a fleet-footed steed ("zhuirik at"), an expensive carpet ("kaly keel"), a diamond saber ("almas kylysh"), as well as a sable fur coat ("bulgyn ishik"). Bes zhaks, as well as "At mingizip shapan zhabu", are awarded to the most respected people in the Kazakh society.

    Baigazy is a tradition that provides for the possibility of receiving a gift by a person who has purchased a new thing.

  1. 2. Traditions and customs related to mutual assistance

    Asar - a family that has a need to perform some successful, sometimes hard work, has the right to call relatives, friends and neighbors to help. At the end of the case, a rich table is laid for the assistants.

    Zhylu is a tradition associated with providing material, moral and financial assistance to people affected by natural disasters (fires, floods, etc.). All sympathizers, not just relatives, have the right to help the victims. Donations may include livestock, building materials, clothing, money.

    Bel koterer is a tradition to treat elderly people. For the elderly, delicious, and most importantly – soft dishes such as kazy, zhent, koumiss, cottage cheese, etc. are prepared. As a rule, this duty is imposed on children or close relatives, less often neighbors. The Belkoterer tradition is an example of caring for the elderly.

  1. 3. Traditions and customs related to the reception of guests

    Konakasy is a custom associated with treating a guest. The Kazakh people have been famous for their hospitality since ancient times. Kazakhs have always reserved all the most delicious things for guests. The guests were divided into three types. "Arnayy konak" is specially invited, "kudayy konak" is a casual traveler, "kydyrma konak" is an unexpected guest. It should be noted that if the owner of the house for some reason refused to observe the custom of konakasa, penalties could be applied against him (in ancient times).

    Konakkade is a tradition according to which the owner of the house has the right to ask the guest to sing a song or play a musical instrument. Conaccade is a test of the guest's art, as well as a guarantee of a fun feast.

    Yerulik – if new settlers arrived in the village, a yerulik was arranged in their honor – a small holiday that allowed those who arrived to adapt to a new place faster. Also, the yerulik custom included assistance in the household arrangement of beginners. Neighbors provided them with firewood, drinking water, etc.

    Toy dastarkhan is a special form of celebration organized for or during the holiday. In addition to gatherings at the table, during that dastarkhan, sports, music, song competitions (aitys), horse races are held.

  1. 4. Traditions and customs related to the birth and upbringing of a child

    Shildehana is a celebration associated with the birth of a child.

    Besikke salu, besik toy is a holiday arranged after the newborn is put in a cradle. As a rule, it is organized on the 3-5 day after the umbilical cord falls off in the baby.

    Esim koyu, at koyu - the naming ceremony. It can be held as part of the shildehana holiday, or during a celebration dedicated to putting a newborn in a cradle. The execution of the rite is entrusted to the most respected people, who, among other things, bless the baby.

    Kyrkynan shygaru is a rite performed on the fortieth day after the birth of a child. Includes: bathing the baby in 40 tablespoons of water, as well as the first haircut of hair and nails.

    Tusau kesu - according to Kazakh custom, on the day when the child took his first steps, the oldest and most respected person in the village was invited to the yurt. He had to cut with a knife the special ropes entangling the child's legs (cutting the fetters). This was done so that in the future the baby could walk beautifully and run fast.

    Sundetke otyrgyzu - the rite of circumcision. The ceremony is held when the child turns 5-7 years old. On this day, parents call a mullah to the yurt, who conducts this procedure. For this, the mullah receives a generous reward. On the occasion of the sundetke otyrgyzu, a big holiday is organized, to which all relatives and friends are invited. Those who come to the party make generous gifts to the hero of the occasion and his parents.

  1. 5. Traditions and customs related to marriage

    According to the Kazakhs, marriage between relatives up to the seventh generation is prohibited, such a taboo helps to prevent blood-related mixing and, as a result, has a favorable effect on the health of future offspring.

    In addition, in former times there was a judgment that early marriages help to keep young people from indecent acts, and are also prerequisites for the birth of healthy children. Therefore, girls were married at the age of 13 - 14. However, today, the tradition of early marriages is not practiced in Kazakhstan.

    Any wedding ceremony in the Kazakh society is anticipated by kudalyk (matchmaking). On the eve of the wedding, matchmakers come to the bride's house. Their task is to negotiate with the girl's closest relatives about her marriage. During the matchmaking, the bride's father receives gifts from the guests, which are a kind of deposit.

    If the negotiations are successful, the father, in turn, hands the main matchmaker a robe. This custom is called "shege shapan". Preparation of "kuyryk bauyr", a dish made from liver and fat fat, also testifies to the successful completion of matchmaking.

    The next stage of the holiday is seeing off the bride "kyz uzatu". In the evening before the ceremony, matchmakers come to the girl's house again. The number of visitors should not be even (5-7 people). Early in the morning, the bride and her matchmakers are sent to the groom's house. The farewell procedure is accompanied by the performance of the Kazakh ritual song "Zhar-Zhar".

    The solemn ceremony of meeting the bride is called kelin tysiru. The main element of kelin tysiru is the performance of a traditional song of instructions and wishes – "Betashar".

    In ancient times, when the Kazakhs practiced a nomadic lifestyle, the dwelling of the newlyweds (yurt) was located behind the house of the groom's parents. According to tradition, the bride had to cross the threshold of the yurt first, and she had to do it with her right foot.

    Also during the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds should jointly drink a vessel with water in which sugar and salt are dissolved. According to the legend, this ritual is the guarantor of a happy family life.

    No less interesting in the complex of wedding events is the ceremony of unwinding the bride's braid, followed by bifurcation. Two braids on the bride's head symbolize the end of loneliness and the beginning of married life.

  1. 6. The oldest customs of the Kazakh people

    Tugan zherge aunatu – according to this custom, a person who has lived far from his native places for a long time should be rolled in the ground upon returning to his homeland. Briefly, the meaning of this action can be explained by the following proverb – "we are all children of our native land."

    Auzyna tukirtu – literally the name of this ritual translates as "spit in the mouth". The ancient Kazakhs had a belief that with a drop of saliva passed to a child by a brave batyr, a popular akyn or speaker, a piece of the gene of giftedness of this person will pass to the baby. Thanks to this, this child will be lucky in the future.

    Ashamayga mingizu is a rite according to which a 6-7–year-old boy was supposed to be given a horse and a kamcha. Such a ritual was a kind of "initiation", after which the child was proclaimed a horseman. On this day, the old men blessed the young rider for feats of arms. After that, the parents arranged a small toy (holiday) in honor of their son.

    Bastangy is an ancient analogue of modern youth parties. Traditionally, such celebrations were held immediately after the departure of adults. During the bastanga, the guests, as a rule, expressed only one wish - that luck accompanied the travelers on the road and the disease did not overtake them.