Kazakhstan is a state in which for centuries it has been customary to honor the traditions of ancestors. They obey the Kazakh wedding, which is held according to a long-established scenario. Of course, some of the Kazakh wedding customs ceased to fit into modern life, but many beautiful traditions remained unchanged. What are they?
Kazakh wedding: bride
Nowadays, the ancient tradition of the Kazakhs to find a bride during the wedding, called “kyz koru”, is almost forgotten, as well as the custom to marry at the behest of parents. Young people now choose their own mate, marry for love. However, there were times when families with small children agreed to marry them without asking for the opinions of future bride and groom. In some cases, such agreements were concluded even before the birth of the heirs, for example, if the families wanted to become related.
Remembering how the Kazakh wedding was held in the past, one cannot but mention the bride. Not every citizen of Kazakhstan had the right to choose a bride during the bride-wedding (“kyz koru”), mostly he received skillful dzhigits who were able to prove their skills, as well as offspring of wealthy or well-known parents. The young man, who wanted to get married, went with his friends to the aul, where attractive girls who had reached the age of brides lived. As a rule, the potential groom and his attendants were received with honor.
During the bridegroom, the girls on hand were competing with each other in various forms of art. They also evaluated possible suitors, not hesitating to express their opinion. Often arranged song competitions between young ladies and gentlemen - "aitys". If a spark ran between the boy and the girl, then there followed a line of matchmakers who were sent to the bride's family.
Matchmaking
Matchmaking is an obligatory part of such an event as a Kazakh wedding, in the Kazakh language this ceremony is called “where to the tusu”. The role of matchmakers traditionally rests with the father and other close relatives of the groom. The bride’s family is warned about their visit in advance, is obliged to provide a generous treat (of course, if they like the applicant). However, the matchmakers are forced to pay for the entrance to the girl’s house, since the female half of the family traditionally holds out lasso in front of the door, which is removed only after the guests present gifts to the owners: cuts of expensive fabric, money.
The atmosphere at the festive dinners reigns warm and friendly, during the meal various topics are discussed that are not directly related to the future marriage. Only when dinner is nearing completion, are the matchmakers allowed to move on to the purpose of their visit. The conditions of the marriage ceremony are discussed, the size of the kalym is established. The right to speak is granted to all senior members of both families. The matchmaking, which is traditionally preceded by a Kazakh wedding, also does not do without the rite of sprinkling "shashu". The bridegroom's delegates are strewed with sweets, cookies, small coins by the bride's relatives, and matchmakers can be forced to go through various tests, to participate in a fun performance.
Representatives of the groom who came to marry the girl must have a “korzhun” with them. This is a bag decorated with bright ribbons, beads, coins. Inside it are gifts: dried fruits, sweets, fabric cuts and so on. Before the matchmakers leave, gifts are also given to them, the most valuable present being given to the groom's father.
Bride show
The future bride and groom goes to the matchmakers only after they get acquainted with all her relatives, agree with them about the wedding and kalym. Before the bride leaves, the groom's representatives must hand her family a fee for the bride, which in Kazakh is called “corimdik”. Only after that the girl is shown to future relatives.
This is followed by a ceremony that officially secures the status of a bride for a girl. The matchmakers put earrings on her, as a rule, this honorable duty rests with the mother of the groom. Also, the matchmakers should give gifts to other family members, mostly gold jewelry: necklaces, brooches, rings.
Kalym
The ransom for the bride is something without which in the old days a Kazakh wedding could not take place. Traditions tell the candidate, on the girl’s hand and heart, to present 47 cattle to her parents. Now this rule is rarely observed, it is enough to put 47 small items in a gift bag, which is given by the matchmakers to the bride's family. The number of livestock that was demanded for a bride in the past also depended on the well-being of families intending to become related. For the daughter of a large bai, they often paid up to 1000, while the poor were content with 5-6 heads as kalym.
A tradition such as the financial assistance provided by newlyweds to parents has been preserved today. The custom tells the bride's relatives to provide her with a dowry, including carpets, bedding, dishes, and so on. Relatives of the groom should allocate money for the purchase of furniture to the young family.
Obviously, not every engagement ends in marriage. If, after the visit of the matchmakers and payment of the kalym, the groom suddenly decides to marry, without having the grounds provided for by the custom, he cannot count on the return of the ransom for the bride. Moreover, the family of the deceived girl has the right to force the windy young man to pay a fine, the size of which is negotiated separately. A different situation arises if the contract is not respected by the bride or her relatives. In this case, the girl’s family should not only fully repay the ransom paid by him, but also compensate for the violation of the contract by paying a fine.
Outfit of the bride
All over the world, girls entering into a marriage are very sensitive to the choice of attire, and the bride who is facing the Kazakh wedding is no exception. According to tradition, the bride’s dress should be red, however, today Kazakh women can choose a white robe. A velvet vest embroidered with ornament is put on top of the dress, which usually has wide and long sleeves, its color can be any.
The bride’s headdress, called “Saukele”, is an element without which it is difficult to imagine such an event as a Kazakh wedding. A photo of a girl dressed in a traditional hat can be seen above. “Saukele” looks like a work of art, custom tells you to decorate it with pearls and rubies, make it from expensive fabrics (velor, velvet). As decorative elements are also used beads, fringe, silver coins. The upper part of the headdress is decorated with a bunch created from feathers of an eagle owl, the edges are trimmed with fur (fox, sable, mink). The wealth of Saukele allows you to demonstrate the financial capabilities of the family.
Saukele looks so luxurious that for the right to admire the bride dressed in this headdress, friends and relatives invited to the wedding are ready to give small gifts.
Outfit of the groom
Not only the bride is obliged to carefully prepare for such an event as a Kazakh wedding. The suit of the groom according to custom should surpass, in terms of wealth, the outfit of any guest. A man entering into marriage should stand out from the crowd, in which he is helped by a special headdress, the upper part of which is decorated with feathers of an eagle owl. Traditions also tell the groom to come to the wedding ceremony in high-heeled boots, throwing a red caftan called “chapan” over her shoulders.
Nowadays, Kazakhs practically don’t dress so magnificent, no exception is made even for such an event as a Kazakh wedding. Modern customs favorably allow young people to put on a snow-white shirt and trouser suit. It is desirable that the suit fits perfectly, so it is sewn to order, the color does not play a special role. However, many men still do not forget about the national headdress, emphasizing the splendor of the ceremony.
Not only the outfit should be worried about the groom, who will have a Kazakh wedding. Customs tell him to bring “that little one” with him, the so-called cattle for the wedding, which will be slaughtered for a feast. The number depends on the wealth of the family, it can be several sheep, horses or cows. They take other gifts with them, for example, expensive fabrics, fruits, tea. It is curious that the attitude of the bride's family to her son-in-law depends on the amount that he can allocate for the offerings. If the girl’s relatives remain unhappy with the wealth of gifts, customs allow them to express their dissatisfaction. As a rule, the wives of the brothers of the bride take on this function.
Choosing a Wedding Day
Even when choosing the day of the wedding ceremony, Kazakhs take into account the traditions that have developed many centuries ago. Most often, holidays are held in the last days of the summer season. At this time, the religious fast ends, besides there are plenty of fruits and vegetables, so this is the best time for such an event as a Kazakh wedding. Traditions and history show that Kazakhs can be married in the fall. In spring and winter weddings play less often.
Modern brides and grooms continue to choose the full moon period for the wedding ceremony. The reason for this decision is bright nights, ideally suited for night games and competitions, which for many years remain an indispensable element of the holiday.
It is not always possible to guess with the weather, but it also plays an important role in choosing a wedding date. It is believed that having entered into marriage on a cloudless, sunny day, the husband and wife will not know sadness, quarrel with each other. While bad weather is regarded as a bad omen, which, however, many Kazakhs do not pay attention to.
Seeing off the bride
Seeing the girl off (“kyz uzatu”) is a beautiful ceremony with which the Kazakh wedding begins from time immemorial. Traditions tell the bride's family that day to laugh and shed tears. The joy should be caused by the fact that the daughter, getting married, grew up a beauty and a clever girl. The source of sadness is the need to part with a girl who will now belong to another family.
The matchmakers take the bride out of the house very early, often her departure coincides with the sunrise. The tradition arose not by chance, because sunrise around the world is associated with the beginning of a new life. The family will not let the daughter out of the house without the traditional farewell song, which is called “koshtasu zhara”. The number of matchmakers is important, it should be odd. Usually 5-7 matchmakers come for a girl, but maybe a larger number of people. The procession is led by the main matchmaker, who calls himself "bass where." The bride will have to respect this person with respect throughout his life.
wedding ceremony
"Neke Kiyar" is a rite without which a Kazakh wedding cannot take place. Traditions are told to invite the mullah to perform the wedding ceremony. In front of this man is placed a bowl filled with water and covered with a cloth. Sometimes sugar and salt are added to the water, according to legend, this brings happiness to the newlyweds, protects them from adultery. Around the mullah gather relatives and friends invited to the ceremony. He says prayers, after which the bride and groom in the presence of witnesses confirm their consent to marriage.
Sharia law states that during the pregnancy of a girl, a Kazakh wedding cannot take place. Customs recommend that the ceremony be postponed until the baby is born. Nowadays, this rule is not so strictly observed, especially when it comes to the first months of pregnancy, when it can still be hidden.
Farewell ceremony
Having married, the girl should solemnly say goodbye to her stepfather’s house, the ceremony is called “kostasu”. “Kostasu” is an important part of such an event as a Kazakh wedding, the customs and traditions of which are still not forgotten by the residents of Kazakhstan. The newlywed must say the sincere words of goodbye to all family members without exception: mother, father, brothers, sisters, as well as other relatives living in the house.
Also, the girl certainly performs a farewell song, with the help of which she expresses her regrets. The newlywed should express pity that she was born not as a boy, but as a girl, because of which she has to part with her native home, while her brothers can stay with their parents. She also promises to visit her family soon, and wishes her relatives good health and happiness.
We must not forget about another interesting customs, which is associated with such a ceremony as a Kazakh wedding, the features of which often surprise representatives of other nationalities. A newlywed should not appear in the parents' house for a year after the wedding. This is done in order to simplify the process of getting the girl used to the new house. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the bride will not be able to see her parents and other relatives for a whole year. The main thing is that the meeting did not take place in the father's house, therefore, the rule will not be considered violated.
At the groom's house
What happens after the Kazakh wedding ends, how does the newlywed get acquainted with the new house? The arrival of the girl is also furnished with all solemnity, the ceremony is called "Kelin Tushiru." According to tradition, the whole village should take part in the greeting of the bride. It is interesting that it is not customary for a newlywed to be brought to the doorstep of the house in which she is to settle with her husband. She is planted quite far from the village, her future neighbors come out to meet the girl. They escort the bride to the house, not allowing her to open her face.
This does not end with the traditions to which the Kazakh wedding submits, the particularities of which may surprise strangers. The bride and groom must step over the threshold without fail with their right foot, otherwise the family life will not go wrong from the very beginning. In the house of her and mourning women showered with sweets, pronounce congratulations. This is followed by a magnificent feast, to which all friends are invited. The meal is accompanied by fun contests, competitions. The bride is not shown to the guests immediately, she spends some time in the house behind a special screen.
Ceremony of opening the face
The bride’s solemn exit is the next stage of such a holiday as a Kazakh wedding, the traditions and stories of which go back centuries. The bride and groom, who hid her face under the veil, was taken out to the guests at the height of the banquet, by this time all the people invited to the celebration had already gathered. The opening ceremony of the girl’s face is called “Betashar”, it is necessarily accompanied by traditional songs. Further, the newlywed officially gets acquainted with the spouse's relatives, respectfully listens to their wishes for health and happiness, friendly advice. After this, the newly made husband and wife finally turn into a separate unit of society.
There were times when the bride did not have the right to attend the banquet, which invariably ends the Kazakh wedding. Modern customs and traditions no longer force the bride to wait for the wedding night in a separate room, remaining under the watchful supervision of her husband's mother. Nowadays, brides mostly have fun on the holiday with everyone.
Interesting Facts
The above describes how the Kazakh wedding is held, photos taken during the festive ceremonies can also be seen in the article. However, far from all the interesting facts regarding such events are listed. For example, few know that once girls became brides at the age of 13-14, and young men were considered ripe for marriage at 14-15. Creating a family at such a young age was considered useful, from the point of view of morality, young people did not have time to commit indecent acts.
The old custom did not allow a guy and a girl who belonged to the same clan to become husband and wife. Not surprisingly, many Cossacks today know their pedigree very well, they are familiar with relatives up to the seventh generation. The age of people who want to play a wedding was also taken into account. It was not permissible for the bride to be more than 8 years older than the groom. A man could be 25 years older than his future wife. Now, such restrictions are observed less strictly than in past times, but have not yet been completely forgotten.
Another interesting custom concerns toasts, without which the Kazakh wedding is not complete. The right to pronounce toasts is granted only to older relatives, the performance of the younger ones at a wedding feast is considered an insult.
These are the most interesting information about such a grand event as a Kazakh wedding. Customs, traditions, photos - the article has all the information related to this holiday event.