Culture tours in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan amazing country - modern cities of glass and concrete rise in the middle of the steppes, and in the luxurious yards of rich Kazakhs there is a yurt and a thoroughbred horse beats with a hoof. All this is modern Kazakhstan - an amazing interweaving of ancient traditions and an unbridled desire to be modern.
Kazakhs, namely they make up the bulk of the country's population, are extremely hospitable people. Having visited a Kazakh family, you can feel that it was you who have been waiting all this time.
There is no unified culture in the country, because apart from the Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Tatars, Uighurs and Germans live here, who have their own traditions, holidays and lifestyle.
Kazakh Yurt and the steppe.
The steppe and yurt is the most traditional, most popular idea of Kazakhstan, and it is really true in many ways. The ancestors of modern Kazakhs were a nomadic people who lived a free life.
To this day, a yurt and a steppe horse are the main symbols of the country, and for many Kazakhs it’s not just a symbol, but also a house and the main way of transportation. Indeed, traditions in Kazakhstan are not an empty phrase, not a mythical picture, but an everyday way of life that has not changed for many centuries.
What is a yurt for a Kazakh? This is an ideal house consisting of three simple elements: “kerge” - the foundation of the structure, “uyk” - the dome and “shanyrak” - the top of the dome. Felt is used for exterior cover and interior decoration.
In the middle of the steppe there is a yurt, but it is difficult to find the owner of the house in the house during the day - he grazes cattle on his horse. Therefore, the horse is no less important than the yurt, and the choice of the right stallion is very important, because it will help to win at various competitions, for example, at Alaman-baiga - long-distance races, or sais - wrestling while riding horses.
There are other equestrian competitions in Kazakhstan, such as:
- Zhamba Atu - shooting on a target while riding a horse
- Kyz kuu - catching up on horses between a guy and a girl
- Tartyspak - a team game to pull off horses
- Tenge alu - raising a coin for a gallop and horse riding
Kazakh music and dancing.
The ancient Kazakh legend says that the “divine” song, flying over the steppe with the Kazakhs, sank low, and the people who heard it became endowed with a musical gift.
Until the beginning of the last century, all the wealth of Kazakh music was passed from mouth to mouth, from father to son, from teacher to student, from the ancient past to the future.
Ancient legends and songs were performed by wandering musicians - zhyrau, who put mystical, divine meaning into these works. These were prayer songs addressed to gods and nature with requests, praises and thanks.
Folk dances of Kazakhstan originated in antiquity, when shamans cured diseases or caused good weather. Kazakh folk dances are dances of hunters, warriors, pastoralists and free riders.
In the national dance of the Kazakhs there is expressiveness, sharpness of movements, mobility of all parts of the body, but at the same time internal grouping - these features are characteristic of male dancers, but female dance - this is unhurriedness, smooth movements, plasticity and body flexibility.
Islam in Kazakhstan.
Not many tourists know that the main religion of the Kazakhs is Islam, which is professed by the majority of the population of Kazakhstan. In addition to them, Orthodox Christians live in the country, mainly among the Russian population, there are also Buddhists and followers of Judaism in the country.
Despite such a number of different religions, the entire population of Kazakhstan coexists peacefully, and the number of those who constantly visit temples, mosques and synagogues is constantly increasing.
Holidays in Kazakhstan.
There are a lot of holidays in Kazakhstan, some of which are an echo of the Soviet heritage, for example, the May 1 holiday, familiar to everyone. Among the religious holidays, Orthodox Christmas and Nauryz meirams, more familiar to us under the name "Novruz", are especially significant.
January 1-2 New Year
January 7th Orthodox Christmas
March 8 International Women's Day
March 21,22 and March 23 Nauryz meiramy
May 1, the festival of Unity of the people of Kazakhstan
May 7 Defender of the Fatherland Day
May 9 Victory Day
July 6th Capital Day
August 30 Constitution Day of the Republic
December 1 Day of the first president of Kazakhstan
December 16-17 Independence Day
National features of Kazakhstan.
National features of Kazakhstan can be fully felt in communication with local residents. Hospitable and smiling Kazakhs consider any traveler who turned out to be the greatest joy in their house. Even an unexpected guest will be fed the most delicious food, and the owner will try to create the most comfortable atmosphere. No wonder there is an old tradition of giving a guest any thing he likes in the house.
And Kazakhstan has very well-educated children, because from an early age they are accustomed to a polite, respectful attitude to elders. Almost every family in Kazakhstan is proud of its roots, and entries in the family tree can reach 30 generations.
Individualism is not the main feature of the majority of Kazakhs; they value much more the opinions of others, friends, and neighbors. So, for example, when moving to a new home, the Kazakhs will certainly invite new neighbors to visit, because it is important for the Kazakhs to gain the approval and respect of others.
