With the independence of Kazakhstan, Kazakhs all over the world are experiencing a sense of national revival, which affects national traditions that have adapted to modern realities. They change and simplify, and some and all remain in the past.
Kazakhs have many traditions – meetings and seeing off guests and relatives, funerals, assistance to those in need and others. Particularly noteworthy are “Zhylu” – helping people in need after an accident, “Yerulik” – inviting new neighbors to a treat, “Tokym kagar” – solemn send-offs for those leaving for a long time or far away. However, there are some customs that need to be left in the past.
Outdated traditions
Among such a medieval custom “Kyz alyp kashu– is the abduction of the bride. Unfortunately, the practice of forced marriage takes place in modern Kazakhstan. In addition to the fact that this wedding ceremony is preserved, it is also presented by some Kazakhs as something valuable and sacred, which contradicts modern international practice of protecting women’s rights. Moreover, kidnapping as a type of criminally punishable act is provided for in the criminal legislation of most countries of the world.
From our point of view, another custom is not relevant, which does not correspond to the secular ideas of the Kazakhs in the modern world, which should only be mentioned in history. We are talking about the custom of paying kalym for the bride in its truly ancient manifestation. This custom has now been greatly transformed, in many regions it has changed so much that it looks more like gifts to the bride’s relatives.
Origins
Traditions are a collection of ideas and objects that connect people with their origin and with their past. As already noted, traditions cannot remain unchanged, they undergo changes due to objective reasons. Some of them disappear and are forgotten, but over time they can return to everyday life again.
Traditions arise in culture mainly in two ways. It depends on who initiates these traditions. The first method involves the emergence of a tradition “from below”, among the people, when it happens spontaneously and spontaneously. We are talking mainly about traditions related to the creation of a family, everyday life, the celebration of significant events. As a rule, a certain part of society participates in this process. In the future, individual actions of people turn into a social phenomenon. The second method involves initiation “from above”, when tradition is determined by the choice and desire of power structures.
Transformation
When we talk about the transformation of traditions, these changes can be quantitative and qualitative. In some cases, the tradition can cover the entire population, and sometimes even go beyond the country, acquiring a global scale. For example, such global traditions include the celebration of “Nauryz Meiramy”, when Kazakhs from all over the world join the holiday.
Qualitative changes in traditions relate to their content. This happens when some ideas, values and symbols are replaced by others. At the same time, some traditions can be changed and abandoned, while others can be completely erased. In the modern world, among such traditions, one can distinguish, for example, public holidays established by law in countries. For example, December 16 is the Independence Day of Kazakhstan, when Kazakhs all over the world congratulate their compatriots. There are similar holidays in all CIS countries today. This tradition replaced the traditional Soviet-era holiday, which was celebrated annually on November 7.
Basically, the reasons for changing traditions are related to psychological principles. It is a peculiar property of the human mind to have a thirst for change, a need for novelty and originality. A person constantly strives for innovation and creativity. Any tradition is eventually questioned and revised by a person. There are various discoveries in history that fundamentally change a person’s awareness of certain events. In addition, traditions can change due to the fact that they face each other in all their diversity.
As an example, we can mention the tradition of celebrating “Algys aitu kuni” – Gratitude Day on March 1. The holiday was initiated in 2016: “It would be fair to celebrate annually March 1 – the Day of the formation of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan as a Day of gratitude of all ethnic groups to each other and to the Kazakhs who showed mercy and accepted these people as relatives. This day can become a bright holiday of mercy, friendship and love of all Kazakhstanis to each other.” On the Day of Gratitude, it is customary to remember how representatives of different ethnic groups were received in Kazakhstan during the years of political repression and deportation of peoples.
Today, the public’s interest in national traditions must be supported and encouraged. Of course, we will never live the way our ancestors lived. This is understandable even from the standpoint of scientific and technological progress. Nevertheless, at present, interest in everything ethnic, including Kazakh national music, dances and crafts, has increased. Many, tired of the pressure of globalization, are looking for opportunities to get in touch with living history. A huge number of interactive museums are opening, outdoor festivals, concerts and fairs are taking place.
Most of the traditions and customs of Kazakhs around the world have undergone a transformation. There are customs that have remained unchanged, for example, “Suyinshi”, “Yerulik”, “Konakkade”, “Baigazy” and others. At the same time, there are traditions that cannot be repeated exactly today. For example, “At mingizip shapan toad” is a high honor to the dear guest – akyn, batyr – who visited the village, in recognition of his merits, he receives a horse and an expensive camel wool chapan with a calico lining as a gift from local residents; “Bes zhaksy” is a gift to a particularly respected guest, consisting of five valuable things at a time: a camel – “Kara nar”, a horse – “Zhuirik at”, an expensive carpet – “Kalyn kilem”, a diamond saber – “Almas kylysh”, a sable fur coat – “Bulgyn ishik”.
Kazakh national cultural traditions are the continuity of the accumulated experience of ancestors, which is necessary for modern Kazakhs for more efficient life and allows them to make fewer mistakes. Kazakh customs maintain an invisible connection of epochs through the preservation and transmission of the model of social relations and spiritual qualities of Kazakhs. However, Kazakh national traditions are changing under the pressure of modern technologies of life, and this is an objective reality.
Автор – Светлана Жаркенова , эксперт НАО «Фонд Отандастар»
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