Nauryz
Nauryz-feast of spring renewal In Kazakhstan spring arrives fully on 21 March – on the special day when Nauryz is celebrated, signifying not only the spring equinox but also renewal of nature. Nauryz in Kazakhstan symbolizes fertility, friendship and love. On this special day people dress up, visit close people and keep wishing well. For eastern nations, Nauryz is the same as New Year, as both holidays are messengers of a new life. Even the name of the holiday “Nauryz” is translated from Farsi as “new day”.
In old days, before Nauryz arrival people had turned out their hoses and farm, for holiday’s name after had planted trees and flowers. It is believed, that if Nauryz is coming in to clear home to good owner, illness, failures, hardships are come around the side of.
In old days, before Nauryz arrival people had turned out their hoses and farm, for holiday’s name after had planted trees and flowers. It is believed, that if Nauryz is coming in to clear home to good owner, illness, failures, hardships are come around the side of.
In Nauryz it is a must to have a traditional festive dish nauryz-koje on the table. Kazakhs believe that one should eat much of this dish on Nauryz, and then your year will be in prosperity.
Nauryz-koje Nauryz-koje is a nutritional rich soup that is cooked from 7 ingredients: meat, water, flour, butter, millet (could be replaced with rice or corn), salt and milk. Each component of the dish symbolizes one of the seven life beginnings: growth, luck, and happiness, and wealth, health, wisdom and sky auspices. Nauryz is full of symbols. So, the number 7 has its special meaning in celebrating Nauryz – seven ingredients in nauryz- koje that is afterwards poured into seven bowls and is laid in front of wise old men-aksakals. Each person should invite seven guests and should visit other seven houses.On Nauryz they drink kumys – dairy product made of horse milk.
Traditionally on this day they congratulate by saying “Koktem tudi Traditionally on this day they congratulate by saying “Koktem tudi!” Also there are many contests of wit-poets held on this holiday, that are called "akins" in Kazakhstan; the feast cannot be without national contests among which is national wrestling "kazaksha-gures", logic game called "toguz kumalak" and of course horse games "kyz-kuu" and "bayga". Theatrical staged performances are played in the streets. Another old Nauryz tradition is "altybakan", where girls and boys gather together to socialize and ride on the swings.
Bayga Bayga was carried out on all holidays and was available to all interested persons who wanted to participate. According to a pre-revolution witness, “there is no competition among the Kazakhs greater than bayga: it accompanies the birth of a baby, the wake for a deceased, as well as meeting the honorable guests.” It was common to all peoples of Central Asia. For example, the Kirghiz called it “chabysh,” Uzbeks—“poyga.” Kazakhs’ bayga was arranged on a fly at terrain along a straight line with a turn or in a closed circle. The e competition was conducted at the following distances: from 1.2 to 2 km for horses at least three years old (kunan bayga); from 2.4 to 4.8 km for horses younger than four years (donen bayga); from 5 to 8 km for horses at age of five or older (actually bayga). This sequence of participation of horses in bayga served as preparation for showing good results in the future, in grueling race of alaman bayga.
Bayga
Kyz Kuu Kyz kuu (catch the girl)—horse-riding game originated from ancient times, when the girls were warriors and rider. They were demanding a number of conditions to their chosen ones, including competition in the races. In case of victory, a warrior had the right to marry her, in case of defeat—the right to ask her hand. Some variations of this game, conducted during wedding and other feasts, in the changed forms still exist to this day.
Kyz kuu
Alty bakan Alty bakan (literally “six pillar”)—Kazakh swings were made of six pillars, the ends of which were tied up with a durable rope, cross-pole was installed on top, where paired nooses were attached for legs and seating. Alty bakan was held in the evening. In traditional Kazakh society with strictly regulated rules of etiquette between the genders, especially for the youth, this amusement served as one of the most important communication tool.
Alty Bakan