Kazakhstan is a multiethnic and multicultural country. Its vast territory has become a melting pot of different peoples and cultures, blending into a distinct and unique Kazakh identity. Despite this cultural fusion, every ethnic group in Kazakhstan has carefully preserved its own traditions and customs. Among the Kazakh people, there is a rich array of traditions passed down through generations, cherished and embraced by the younger population. Listing all of these customs would fill a hefty volume, so we will focus on the most significant and universally observed ones.
Traditional Kazakh hospitality leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has visited Kazakhstan. This warm reception is not exclusive to the Kazakh people but has been embraced by many other ethnic groups within the country, highlighting a shared respect and welcoming attitude towards guests.
The origins of this tradition can be traced back to ancient times when random travelers or invited guests were always greeted with warmth and offered the finest food. The ancestors of the Kazakh people were nomads, making it common for travelers to stop at unfamiliar homes. This practice is known as Konakasy, or guest reception.
Guests are traditionally led into a yurt (a traditional nomadic dwelling) and seated in the most honored spot, directly opposite the entrance. They are then served light Kazakh delicacies and drinks such as kumis (fermented mare’s milk), shubat (fermented camel’s milk), ayran (a type of yogurt drink), or tea with milk. The table is filled with freshly baked baursaks (fried dough), flatbreads, kurt (dried cheese balls), and irimshik (dried curds). Additionally, appetizers made from horsemeat or lamb—such as zhaya, kazy, shuzhuk, and others—are quickly served.
Often, a lamb is slaughtered in honor of the guest, with several dishes prepared from it. This includes kuyrdak, made from the lungs, liver, and kidneys, served as a starter, followed by the main course—et or Kazakh meat, known as beshbarmak (five fingers). The boiled meat is served in large pieces on a tray, with the host personally carving it and distributing choice pieces to each guest. The meat is cut following tradition, with certain parts reserved for specific individuals: the pelvic bones and shin go to respected elders, the breastbone to sons-in-law or daughters-in-law, and the neck bone to young women. The most honored guest is presented with the sheep’s head, specially prepared by the host. Rich broth is also served alongside the meat in bowls called piyalas.
A special tradition linked to guest reception is Konakkade. At the end of the meal, the host may ask the guest to sing a song or play a musical instrument. In response, the guest typically improvises a performance, expressing gratitude to the host for the warm welcome.
For particularly esteemed guests, there is an additional custom called At mingizip shapan zhabu. In this ritual, a respected visitor is given a horse and a fine chapan (an embroidered camel wool robe lined with cotton) as gifts.
In some cases, an important guest may receive a horse, a sable coat, a camel, a Persian carpet, or a sword. The most valuable items in the household were gifted to show respect, a tradition known as Bes Zhaksi, or the “Five Valuable Items.” Although this custom is not widely practiced today, it is still observed in certain rural areas of Kazakhstan.
An interesting tradition that has endured from ancient times is Yerulik, a welcoming feast for new residents. When someone moves into a village, the closest neighbors invite them for lunch or dinner, providing an opportunity for everyone to get acquainted. This tradition remains alive in many Kazakh families, whether they live in a rural village or a modern apartment building.
Other intriguing hospitality-related traditions include:
A Kazakh wedding is a grand and significant event, just like weddings in many other cultures. However, a Kazakh wedding is not merely a celebration for the bride and groom, their parents, close relatives, and friends, as is common in most of the world. In Kazakh culture, it is the union of two clans through the bond of marriage. This means that a Kazakh wedding involves numerous rituals and traditions that must be strictly followed.
In the past, a young man would propose to a woman through his brother’s wife. The bride might not see her future husband until the wedding day. Even if she did not like him, she had no right to refuse, as her parents were the ones who determined her fate.
Nowadays, things are different. Kazakh men and women, like people elsewhere, meet on the street, in cafes, or through social media. However, wedding traditions remain essential and are still observed during the matchmaking process and the wedding ceremony.
As in the old days, the groom’s family sends matchmakers (kudalar) to the bride’s home with gifts. The engagement ring is presented by the groom’s sister-in-law, not by the groom himself. In the past, the wedding date was set by the elders of the clan, but today it is often discussed with the couple. During the matchmaking, the families exchange expensive gifts.
One enduring tradition is the payment of kalym or the bride price. Today, not all families follow this, but in many rural areas, where traditions are still strong, the groom’s family honors this custom by giving livestock, fine fabrics, and jewelry to the bride’s family. Traditionally, the groom could only visit the bride’s family after the kalym had been paid.
Once all the rituals are observed, and the matchmaking is completed, the bride’s father sets the date for kyz uzatu, the bride’s farewell from her home. He also gives gifts of clothing to the groom’s relatives.
The wedding itself is a grand celebration, typically attended by all the relatives of both the bride and groom. During the festivities, a specially invited akyn (a Kazakh folk singer) performs traditional Kazakh wedding songs, and there are competitions, dances, and lively contests. After the wedding, the newlyweds are sent off to their wedding tent.
The Main Traditional Wedding Rituals:
• Kudalyk – The process of matchmaking between the groom’s family and the bride’s close relatives.
• Aran keru – A ritual that involves the matchmakers entering the bride’s family home.
• Betashar – The unveiling of the bride’s face during the wedding ceremony.
• Syrga salu – A symbolic ritual where the groom’s mother places earrings on the bride, signifying the formal agreement between the families.
• Kalyn mal (kalym) – The payment of kalym (bride price) by the groom’s family to the bride’s family as a token of appreciation for raising the bride.
• Kyz uzatu – The bride’s traditional farewell from her parents’ home to the groom’s family.
• Kursak toy – A celebration hosted by the groom’s family upon hearing the news of the bride’s pregnancy.
• Bride kidnapping – A traditional custom where a young man would abduct the woman he liked and take her to his village. Afterward, all the wedding rituals would follow. Nowadays, this only happens with the woman’s consent; otherwise, it is considered a criminal offense.
Tusau kesu (cutting the fetters)
Many Kazakh traditions revolve around children. In a Kazakh family, children are considered the greatest treasure, and numerous rituals accompany their upbringing. These include the use of a cradle, naming ceremonies, and one of the most important rituals for a child – Tusau kesu, or the cutting of the fetters. This ceremony is performed when a child begins to take their first steps.
The child’s legs are tied with a colorful thin cord, which is entrusted to an energetic, respected elder or honored guest to cut. The cord is traditionally made of black and white threads, symbolizing the fact that life consists of both good and bad times. The future jigit (Kazakh hero) must learn to overcome challenges.
The ritual is accompanied by songs and blessings (bata), wishing the child a strong foundation and confidence as they journey through life. After the cords are cut, a celebratory toy (feast) follows, with contests, musical performances, and songs. In the past, the child would receive a horse and saddle as a gift after Tusau keser, but today the gifts are often more modern, like money or valuable presents.
Sundet-toy (circumcision)
Another important custom still widely practiced in Kazakh families is sundet, or circumcision. This tradition, introduced to the Kazakhs with the arrival of Islam in the Great Steppe, remains one of the most significant family ceremonies.
Circumcision is typically performed when a child reaches an odd-numbered age: 3, 5, or 7. On the day of the ceremony, the boy is dressed in beautiful traditional attire and mounted on a horse. Relatives decorate the horse’s mane with colorful ribbons, and a bag filled with treats is tied to the saddle. The boy rides around to each relative, offering treats from the bag. Once all the gifts and treats have been distributed, the boy is taken to a separate yurt (or room) with a mullah (or nowadays, a surgeon), where the circumcision is performed without anesthesia. Afterward, the boy’s family hosts a grand celebration called sundet-toy, and the boy receives money or valuable gifts from the guests.
Other Traditions and Customs Related to Childbirth and Upbringing:
• Shildekhana – A celebratory feast in honor of the newborn’s arrival.
• Besikke salu and besik toy – A feast marking the laying of the newborn into the cradle, typically held on the 3rd-5th day after the baby’s umbilical cord falls off. Until then, the baby sleeps with the mother.
• Esim koyu or at koyu – The naming ceremony, often combined with Shildekhana or Besikke salu. A respected elder usually gives the child their name.
• Kyrkynan shygaru – A ceremony held on the fortieth day after the baby’s birth. The baby is bathed in water from 40 ladles, and for the first time, their hair and nails are trimmed.
• Auzyna tukirtu – This ritual, which translates to “spitting in the mouth,” involves a respected person transferring a small drop of saliva to the child, believed to pass on a portion of that person’s talent or gift.
• Ashamayga mingizu – A tradition of gifting a 6- or 7-year-old boy a horse and whip. During this ceremony, the boy is declared a jigit (young warrior). On this day, the elders bless the child, and the parents host a small feast in his honor.
Aitys is an essential part of the celebratory program at any Kazakh festival. It is a poetic and musical competition between Kazakh singer-improvisers, known as akyns.
During an aitys, performers either sit or stand opposite one another and engage in a unique song-dialogue. They take turns responding to each other, continuing the theme introduced by their opponent. The competition can revolve around any topic, with a winner declared at the end. A jury, typically composed of respected individuals or honored guests, evaluates not only the musicality and performance skills but also the competitor’s ability to counter their opponent’s arguments, their humor, and quick wit.
Aitys bears some resemblance to modern-day rap battles, as it follows a similar format of turn-taking and participant evaluation.
Several akyns may take part in an aitys, although paired performances are more traditional. Aitys often features male and female duels. For instance, in 1946, Kazakh composer Mukan Tulebayev wrote the opera “Birzhan and Sara” based on an aitys between the famous 19th-century akyns Birzhan-sal and Sara Tastanbekkyzy.
Another remarkable tradition dating back to ancient, pre-Islamic times in Kazakh history is the celebration of Nauryz. It marks the arrival of spring, the renewal of nature, and the beginning of a new life. According to Tengrian beliefs, Nauryz is considered the start of the new year and is celebrated on March 22, the day of the spring equinox.
Like other major festivals, Nauryz consists of various smaller rituals and customs. The celebration begins at sunrise when the entire village or settlement, led by the aksakals (elders), comes together to plant trees.
After planting, everyone gathers for the festivities. People rejoice, exchange congratulations for the new year, and wish each other peace, prosperity, and happiness. Special songs composed for the event, known as Nauryz Zhyr, are performed. Sporting events, such as kures wrestling and baiga horse races, are organized. Large swings are often set up for children and young people, and intellectual contests are held, including poetic riddles and tongue twister competitions.
Following the celebration, each family prepares a festive meal called dastarkhan, which is typically enjoyed at noon. Before and after the meal, an invited mullah recites prayers in honor of the ancestors. The eldest person present gives a blessing (bata), wishing for continued prosperity for the family in the coming years. This ritual reflects a blend of both pagan and Muslim traditions.
The presence of the number seven, symbolizing the seven days of the week and the unit of eternal time, is a key feature of the Nauryz celebration. Seven bowls filled with the special Nauryz drink (Nauryz-koge), made from seven types of grains, are placed before the aksakals, while seven different dishes are served at the dastarkhan.
The festive day often ends with an aitys, a grand performance where local akyns compete in improvisational skill. The aitys concludes at sunset, marking the symbolic victory of good over evil. A bonfire is then lit, and people, carrying torches lit from the fire, sing and dance as they circle the village, concluding the celebration of spring renewal and the equinox.
Kazakh traditional eagle hunting: The berkut (golden eagle) has been used by nomads for hunting small game like hares, corsacs, foxes, and more. Skilled hunters (berkutchi) train and raise these hunting birds.
Kazakh traditional hunting with the Tazy: The Kazakh Tazy, a unique and ancient breed of hunting dog, is part of Kazakhstan’s intangible UNESCO heritage. Kazakhs use Tazy dogs for hunting small game and steppe antelope.
Kures: Kazakh belt wrestling. Competitions are usually held during toi (festivities). Similar forms of wrestling can be found among other Central Asian peoples.
Toguz Kumalak: A board game based on the number nine. Although it appears simple, it is a highly complex logical game often called the “algebra of shepherds,” as nomads used it to pass time.
Asyk: A traditional children’s outdoor game using knucklebones, which has now evolved into a national sport in Kazakhstan. The country even hosts tournaments for playing asyk.
Bastangy: A type of youth party typically held after parents leave on a trip. Young people would gather for a small celebration, often expressing hopes for a smooth and uneventful journey.
You can learn more about these and other Kazakh games and entertainment in this article.
Asar: This tradition involves helping someone as a family, clan, or even an entire village. Such efforts might include building a house or a sheepfold. Once the work is complete, a festive meal (dastarkhan) is prepared for the helpers.
Zhylu: Similar to Asar, this tradition involves assisting those affected by natural disasters like fires or floods. Anyone from any clan or even zhuz (one of the three Kazakh tribal unions) can contribute. Donations may include livestock, building materials, clothing, or money, and aid may also be offered in the form of labor.
One could endlessly recount the colorful customs and rituals, showcasing photos and illustrations. But the best way to experience it is to visit Kazakhstan yourself—to participate in these beautiful and vibrant ceremonies and personally witness the hospitality and warmth of the Kazakh people.
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