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. Today, many people host large-scale celebrations as a way to assert themselves and showcase their social status. The more lavish and expensive the wedding or a child’s birth celebration, the wealthier and more influential the person appears to others. In order not to fall behind, others join this competition and try to outdo one another. “My neighbor hosted a wedding for 300 guests — that means I need to do it for 500. Am I worse than him? Less respected?”
This mindset — “Not worse than others” — has become a guiding principle for many Kazakhs. They constantly observe those around them, making sure that their house, their car, their *toy* isn’t any less impressive than someone else’s. Sometimes, they even go into debt, take out bank loans just to throw a grand *toy* and create an illusion of prosperity.
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