Every nation has its own traditions and customs regarding marriage, and the Kazakhs are no exception. Kazakh wedding customs and traditions are still observed by modern newlyweds. And although they have undergone some changes over time, they still have a special symbolism and meaning for the newlyweds, like many traditions at a Muslim wedding. The website Svadbaholik.ru will tell you about the most important stages of a Kazakh wedding, which have been unfolding over many years.
Bride and collusion
In a Kazakh family, it is the parents who choose the groom for their daughter, and the bride for their son. Collusion implies a preliminary agreement between parents about the betrothal of their children. If parents of one family are friends and want to become related to another family even before the birth of children, then such a conspiracy is called “bel kuda”. And if the children were wooed in the cradle, then “what a mess.”
This stage of the celebration previously included not only a conspiracy, but also a bridesmaid ceremony. Only children of noble and wealthy people could choose brides for themselves. The sons came to the so-called “bride shows”, where brides competed with each other in various forms of art. If the couple suited each other, then they unfoundedly confessed their feelings, and the guy sent matchmakers to the bride’s father.
An authorized representative from the groom's side was sent to the father of the prospective bride to arrange the wedding. After the bride's father's approval, both parties exchanged gifts.
Matchmaking
This stage includes direct matchmaking. The bride's father, who inquired in advance about the arrival of the matchmakers, invited all relatives and friends. The groom's father, the groom himself, as well as their relatives and friends came to the bride's house. The groom's entourage presented gifts to the bride and her loved ones according to Kazakh traditions. Both parties ate from the same dish, and the receiving party presented a treat of lard and cookies.
At the end of the matchmaking, the parties exchanged various gifts: clothes, jewelry, animals. The final stage of matchmaking was the arrival of the father to the groom's house. The wedding date, bride price and gifts were agreed upon. To notify all relatives, both parties sent them invitations to the Kazakh wedding.
Kalym mal - payment for the bride
According to the customs of a Kazakh wedding, the groom’s side, after the matchmaking, was obliged to pay a bride price, the amount of which depended on the well-being of the couple. If they are poor, then the dowry could be limited to 4-5 heads of livestock. However, if the children of noble and rich people are wooed, then the bride price could reach 200 thousand heads of livestock.
Kalym mal is a distinctive tradition that has been preserved by the Kazakh people to this day. The presence of a kalym is an integral custom for the subsequent celebration of the wedding, since with this gesture the groom showed his respect and generosity towards the bride and her relatives.
Face Revealing Ritual
The ceremonial entrance of the bride is the next stage of such a holiday as a Kazakh wedding, the traditions and stories of which go back centuries. The newlywed, hiding her face under the veil, is brought out to the guests at the height of the feast, by which time all the people invited to the celebration have already gathered. The ceremony of revealing the girl’s face is called “betashar” and is always accompanied by traditional songs. Next, the newlywed officially meets her husband’s relatives, respectfully listens to their wishes for health and happiness, and 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 feast that invariably ends a Kazakh wedding. Modern customs and traditions no longer force the newlywed to wait for her wedding night in a separate room, remaining under the watchful eye of her husband’s mother. Brides these days mostly have fun on the occasion with everyone else.
Bride's arrival at the groom's house
Traditionally, the bride with her face covered was taken to a place that was located at some distance from the village. Then young girls came out to meet her, and together they entered the village and sat behind a screen. Those who greeted the bride showered her with sweets and coins.
When everyone gathered in the village, the bride was taken to the center and the ceremony of unveiling the bride’s face was performed. At the same time, a woman of noble years took off her shawl. She wished the girl family well-being and happiness. The shawl was passed on piece by piece to the young girls, and a scarf was put on the bride’s head, which meant farewell to girlhood. At this stage, Kazakh wedding songs were sung, which sang about the happy family life of the newlyweds.
Star weddings in Kazakhstan
Almost everyone loves weddings. Relatives - because they can have a drink and go for a walk, brides - because they have the opportunity to wear a beautiful dress and annoy their unmarried friends, grooms also probably have their own interests. “Caravan” found out how Kazakh stars celebrated these celebrations; fortunately, they have been getting married in incredible numbers lately.
She said nothing
TV and radio host
Kazbek KASYM told Caravan his love story.
It turns out that even his luxurious timbre of voice could not always have an effect on his chosen one. “Her name is Ainura,” says Kazbek. — She comes from Kyzylorda, knows Chinese and English, and now teaches at school.
— Surely you remember the story of your acquaintance?
- Of course! We met in an Almaty nightclub. That evening I didn’t go to a friend’s birthday party - as if I felt that I shouldn’t go there. At the same time, I didn’t want to be alone, so I decided to go to the club.
There was a group of girls standing in front of the establishment. And I noticed her big eyes! You know, it was like a flash. It was as if he didn’t see anyone else around. I immediately approached her, I don’t remember what I said, but a conversation began. From the very beginning, Ainur didn’t really talk to me, more than her friend. But I also had my own tactics: first of all, establish contact with my friends, so that she would eventually like her. And after 2-3 days I called her and we met.
— How much time passed before you got married?
— We were friends for a year and eight months. On November 14 we met. And I proposed to her on February 14, Valentine's Day. And we got married on July 14th.
— How were the pre-wedding efforts?
— The preparation was very serious. As required by tradition, uzatu, dowry and all that. Moreover, I always dreamed that my wedding would certainly take place in Almaty. But since all my relatives are in Uralsk, I had to go there. But, surprisingly, the restaurant where we celebrated was called “Almaty”. So, ironically, my dream of getting married in Almaty came true.
— By the way, how did you propose marriage to your chosen one?
— I put candles in the shape of a heart, there are rose petals inside, and in the very center there is a box with a ring in it.
—Did she agree immediately?
- No, she remained silent.
- How intractable!
“If she said yes right away, it wouldn’t be interesting.”
By the way, there was another incident related to her, as you say, intractability. One day she went on vacation to visit her family in Shymkent. And secretly from her, having learned the address, I went to her there many kilometers away by car. I thought it would be a surprise. I drive up, call her, and guess what? She didn't come out! She said she was in terrible shape and simply flatly refused to meet. I left her a bouquet of roses and left.
TV for luck
“Caravan” has already talked about how singer and TV presenter
Ksenia SUKHOMAZOVA received a marriage proposal.
More than six months later, this story reached its logical conclusion. Let us remember that this was in February. Ksyusha and her then boyfriend Den went to the warm latitudes of Southeast Asia.
And one morning Den approached the unsuspecting Ksenia and simply handed over the ring with the words: “I can’t do this anymore! Here! Marry me…". The singer could only answer: “Okay...”.
“From the very beginning, my fiancé and I didn’t want our wedding to be standard, with toasts, tables and a bunch of strange people,” says Xenon. “We decided to distinguish ourselves and do something out of the ordinary.” We invited a small number of the closest people who really know how to have fun. We planned to invite about a hundred people. Eighty arrived. And thank God! There were those who were needed.
The wedding took place in the format of a cocktail party called “Wedding, cocktails, rock and roll.” Moreover, the groom prepared the cocktails himself: he personally developed their recipes, immediately mixed them and distributed them to the guests. Ksyusha also did not just sit and accept congratulations (by the way, almost no one sat at the evening), she herself performed in the company of the first line-up of the Turkish Delight group, as well as the rock band iFly, where she is now also a soloist.
- Ksyusha, what about the relatives? Did they want to have a “human” wedding? With a feast, toasts, competitions...
“The relatives said: “This is your wedding, do what you want.”
The newlyweds were registered by a presenter dressed as Elvis Presley. In order to observe at least some wedding traditions, the newlyweds beat wine glasses. True, then we got a little carried away and threw the TV from the balcony into the fountain. Also, apparently, for luck.
Persistence took Zhadyra
Just last weekend, the lead singer of the group “Dauys International” and TV presenter Zhadyra KUTPANOVA tied the knot
.
The girl met her betrothed four years ago.
— As is customary for the Kazakhs, the wedding took place in two parts: seeing off the bride and the main celebration. When they saw me off, absolutely all the women, all my girlfriends and girls in the group cried.
According to the artist, the main qualities that she liked in her future wife were perseverance and perseverance. What every man should have.
“If he weren’t like that, then I would probably still be walking around unmarried and free!” - the singer laughs. “And he’s also very kind and, most importantly, prominent and handsome!”
Not only close friends, but also popular singers and colleagues came to congratulate the newlyweds:
— At the wedding I had the groups “All Come on” and “MuzArt”, Berkut and Aisha, of course, my “dausyaty”, as I call the girls in the group.
The newly-made wife has not yet experienced all the delights of family life, and her usual schedule seems to have remained unchanged.
Zhadyra’s husband, as it turned out, despite his bright appearance, is far from the world of show business, but is close to ordinary business and is engaged in entrepreneurship.
Karlygash changed status
The most discussed event in the Kazakh Internet community was the wedding of the young actress Karlygash MUKHAMEJANOVA. The star of the films “Return to A” and “Liquidator” was considered the most enviable domestic bride, but now her status has changed.
Family life, apparently, swallowed Karlygash headlong - we were unable to get a comment from the actress about the changes in her personal life, she either asked to call back later, or simply did not answer the calls. However, it is known that the bride’s farewell took place in one of the establishments in Astana. Her chosen one was businessman Bekbolat BALGIMBAYEV. The young people dated for two years before the wedding, and a few months ago Mukhamedzhanova agreed to her boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Karlygash’s parents, composer, senator Tolegen MUKHAMEDZHANOV and opera singer, People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Nurzhamal USENBAEVA, also approved her daughter’s choice.
Popular Kazakh actors Sanzhar MADIEV, Assel SAGATOVA, Berik AITZHANOV, Maxim AKBAROV and many others were seen among the guests. In addition, such artists as Batyrkhan SHUKENOV and the world-famous Russian pianist Denis MATSUEV performed for the newlyweds. The public was able to learn details from the closed event thanks to the celebrity guests who actively posted photos on social networks. Sanzhar Madiev shared his impressions with Caravan:
— Everything went at the highest level. In general, the evening was very reminiscent of a concert. It’s just a pity that when Max Akbarov and I and other participants in the film “The Tale of the Pink Hare” sang the song “Julia,” Batyr did not wait for our performance.
Vsevolod KHVAN, Artem KRYLOV
Marriage ceremony
If the couple belonged to Muslims, of whom there are about 70% in Kazakhstan, then they entered into marriage according to the laws of Islam. The bride and groom sat on their knees in front of the mullah, who had a bowl of water and silver coins. The mullah read a prayer three times, after which the bride and groom drank water in the same place. Then the witnesses brought a bowl of water not only to the newlyweds, but also to everyone present, who caught the coins with a teaspoon.
What followed was a celebration. In terms of the format of the celebration, modern Kazakh weddings are very different from those weddings when all traditions and customs were respected. However, the dance at a Kazakh wedding remained unchanged, without which it is impossible to imagine any celebration among this people.
Choosing a wedding day
Even when choosing a day for a wedding ceremony, Kazakhs take into account the traditions that developed many centuries ago. Most often, holidays are held in the last days of the summer season. At this time, religious fasting ends, and fruits and vegetables are in abundance, so this is the best time for such an event as a Kazakh wedding. Traditions and history show that Kazakhs can get married in the fall. In spring and winter, weddings are held less frequently.
Modern brides and grooms continue to choose the full moon period for their wedding ceremony. The reason for this decision is the bright nights, ideal for holding night games and competitions, which have been a mandatory element of the holiday for many years.
It is not always possible to guess the weather, but it also plays an important role when choosing a wedding date. It is believed that if a husband and wife get married on a cloudless, sunny day, they will not know sadness or quarrel with each other. Whereas bad weather is regarded as a bad omen, which, however, many Kazakhs do not pay attention to.
Wedding suits for grooms and dresses for Kazakh brides
The main color of wedding fabric for the Kazakh bride’s dress was red. However, for a modern Kazakh celebration, the bride can also wear a white wedding dress.
The main element in the bride's image is the saukele - a high headdress, which is made of expensive and high-quality fabrics, decorated with precious jewelry, beads, coins, and fur. This headdress is mandatory according to the wedding tradition that has developed among the Kazakhs since ancient times.
The groom's suit should be the richest and look more elegant than other horsemen, so that it is clear from the crowd who is getting married. The groom wears a red chapan on his shoulders, and his headdress is decorated with eagle owl feathers. At a modern Kazakh wedding, the groom can wear a regular formal suit.
The portal www.svadbagolik.ru told you about the Kazakh wedding with its unique traditions and customs. If you are interested in learning about celebrations in other countries, then on the site you can find a lot of interesting things: both about the features of a wedding in Azerbaijan and about the unique features of a celebration in India.
