Among Kazakhs, there is an old tradition: on the day after the wedding, the groom’s family invites their close relatives and seats the newlywed bride at the head of the table, right by the doorway, to serve tea to the guests.
It’s clear that this tradition originally emerged, first of all, to introduce the bride to the groom’s close relatives, …
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One of my relatives, a devout Muslim who observes fasting, lives in a regional center of Kazakhstan. He told me that every year, with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, a certain tradition is upheld in their region.
On the first day of fasting, the regional akimat organizes an iftar (evening meal to break the fast) at the …
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It’s well known that “tois” (celebrations) are an integral part of Kazakh national culture. This tradition dates back to ancient times, when nomads used major life events — such as weddings, childbirth, and so on — as long-awaited opportunities to reunite with relatives and friends, to socialize and strengthen ties.
However, over time, “tois” have taken on a different meaning. …
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To many of our men, Europeans seem like weaklings who can’t stand up for themselves. In case of conflict, they don’t “settle things like men,” they don’t fight — they go straight to the police. In our culture, this kind of behavior is often seen as a sign of weakness.
But in reality, it’s the flip side of being civilized. …
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