Some facts about Kazakhstan

Capital: Astana
Largest cities: Almaty, Karagandy (Karaganda)
Languages: Kazakh and Russian are spoken by the local population; English is usually used by
staff of major tourism companies and hotels.
Currency: the national currency is Tenge (KZT); US Dollars, Euro and other currencies can be
easily exchanged in banks and exchange bureaus.
Weather: The best season to travel to Kazakhstan is from March to November, since winter in
Kazakhstan is usually cold; however snowy winters might be perfect for winter sports.
Temperature in summer can reach up to +40'C and more in some regions. More on weather and
climate of Kazakhstan
Population: major ethnicity is Kazakh; other ethnic groups include Russians, Uzbeks, Tatars,
Germans, etc. About 55% of the population is urban and the rest is rural.
Food: Kazakh cuisine, Central Asian, Russian cuisines, as well as Italian, Turkish, Korean
restaurants are popular in Kazakhstan. Organic and naturally grown ingredients are usually used
to prepare meals, which give them an exceptionally rich taste.

Kazakhstan travel information

Kazakhstan - The Land of Wonders

Kazakhstan is a unique region in the world because of its history, geographical position, and size.
Being the world’s 9th largest country and located in the centre of Eurasia, it is also the largest
landlocked country in the world. These factors have resulted in the country's particular climate
and nature, which seem to absorb the brightest examples of the landscape of both continents. In
addition, the complicated history of the Kazakh people and the constant interaction of nomadic
lifestyle with settled people in South Kazakhstani ancient cities have led to Kazakhstan's unique
and authentic culture.
These peculiarities have created an opportunity to develop diverse offers in Kazakhstan's travel
and tourism industry, to include authentic cultural tourism; nature-based activities, including
ecotourism and birdwatching in national parks and protected areas; skiing or trekking in the
mountains; water sports, sunbathing, and swimming in the many lakes and rivers of Kazakhstan;
and many others.
 
Nature-based tourism

The diversity of Kazakhstan's natural areas has contributed to its rich flora and fauna. The country
is a habitat for about 122 mammal species, 500 bird species, and 107 fish species; in addition,
over six thousand species of plants grow in the region. In order to preserve such a rich world of
plants and wildlife, a network of national parks and nature reserves was established in the
country. Recently, these protected areas have become accessible to visitors.
The most famous of them among tourists include Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, which is home
to snow leopards and other rare animals, and is also known as the "Kingdom of Tulips", as it is
believed that tulips originated here, long before they were introduced in Holland; also, Korgalzhyn
Nature Reserve is famous for its pink flamingos and other rare species of wildlife and is popular
among bird-watchers; Altyn Emel National Park is interesting for its mystery of Singing Dune;
and Katon-Karagay National Park is a habitat of marals (red deer), unossified antlers of which are
used as a precious medicine.
 
Mountains: Trekking and winter sports
A series of mountain ranges of various sizes – such as the Tien Shan, Altay, Ulytau, and Kazygurt
– are naturally beautiful and attract tourists from all over the world. The Tien Shan Mountains are
the highest among them (with the highest peak being about 7,500 metres [24,500 feet]), and
Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan, is located at its base. Thus, tourists interested in trekking
and winter sports can easily access marvelous landscapes directly from the city of Almaty.
Most popular climbing routes are located in the Small Almaty Valley and Bogdanovich Glacier.
Attractions in these places include Pogrebetsky Glacier (4,231 meters [13,881 feet]), Tuyuc Su
(4,100 m [13,451 ft]), and Ordzhonikidze (3,980 m [13,058 ft]), among others. In addition,
Kazakhstan's high mountains are ideal for winter sports. It's no wonder that Kazakhstan hosted
the Asian Winter Games in 2011 – one of the priorities of the country has been to promulgate
winter sports.
A unique sport complex Medeu (sometimes spelled as Medew or Medeo), with a skating rink
popular among tourists, was built in the 1950s, at 1,691 metres (5,548 feet) above sea level,
which makes it the highest skating rink in the world. A sophisticated artificial refrigeration system
enables it to keep high-quality ice coverage for 8 months of the year. Another major winter sport
attraction of Kazakhstan is Shymbulak (Chimbulak) ski resort, also located not far from Almaty.
Snow can be found there from November till May; however, sunny weather is also registered
there more than three hundred days a year. The resort hotel can accommodate up to 114 tourists.
 
Lakes and rivers: water sports, sunbathing and health resorts

Kazakhstan is more than its steppes and mountains; it is also a country of rivers and lakes. A lake
among the steppes can be like an oasis among empty deserts.
Kazakhstan's coastline along the largest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea, is perfect for
sunbathing, swimming, and fishing. The largest number of reservoirs is concentrated in the
southeast part of the country, in the region symbolically named Zhetysu – “Seven Rivers”. Almost
all the rivers of Zhetysu belong to the basin of Lake Balkhash, which is also a popular tourist
destination for its health centres and recreation camps. Besides health resorts, the lakes offer
serene boating and sailing, and extreme tourists can find rafting opportunities in mountain rivers.
 
Culture: ethnotourism

Kazakhstan's unique culture is a reason why many tourists travel to Kazakhstan. In almost every
corner of the republic, a visitor interested in the lives of genuine Kazakh people – their traditions,
their rituals, their art, and their culture – will find much of interest. This can include museum
complexes, ethno villages depicting the traditional lifestyle of Kazakh people, historical sites of
medieval cities, and much more.
For example, tourists are offered to experience traditional lifestyle of Kazakhs, to try national
dishes and to interact with the local people in Shabanbay’s Village, situated in Kyzylaray
Mountains, Central Kazakhstan. Zhambyl Zhabayev museum complex in Almaty region includes a
house with a garden, where the poet lived in XIX-XX centuries and a mausoleum. This is a visual
representation of not only Zhambyl’s life, but also of a whole era in which the poet lived and
worked. South Kazakhstan is famous for ancient cities located at the routes of the Great Silk Road
with historical monuments and other sites.
Ethno-memorial complex Map of Kazakhstan - Atameken, located in Astana, is the largest
ethnographic park in Kazakhstan and a unique outdoor museum. Cities and landscapes of the
country, as well as mini copies of main attractions and historical sites can be found on the map.

Weather in Kazakhstan
Summers in Kazakhstan are hot and winters are cold. Since Kazakhstan has a vast territory,
weather can vary substantially in different parts of the country. For example when sowing season
begins in the South, the North might still be covered with thick snow.
Average temperature in the coldest month of winter January is -18,7°С in the North and -1,5°С in
the South. Because of dry weather and bright sun, which is common in most parts of Kazakhstan,
temperature of -15°С might be felt like only -5° – 0°С in wet weather. Snowy winters are ideal for
winter sports activities, for example in ski resorts. However, additional care should be taken and
appropriate preparations must be done by those, who are not used to cold weather.
Average temperature of the hottest month in summer - July – is +18,8°С in the North and
+28,8°С in the South. Beach holidays at seas and lakes of Kazakshtan and at holiday villages are
popular among tourists during hot summers. August and September are perfect for trekking in the
mountains of the East and South-East Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is a sunny country, some regions enjoy the sun up to 330 days a year, and the sky
here is almost always bright blue. Welcome to Kazakhstan!
Rivers in Kazakhstan

Rivers of Kazakhstan have always played an important role in the life and history of Kazakhs. In
fact, almost all main cities were founded on the banks of major rivers. Nowadays the rivers,
especially in mountains, are attracting tourists for active holidays and recreation.
Largest rivers in the country are Irtysh, Yesil, Tobol, Ural, Syr Darya, Ili, Chu. The length of each
of them is more than 1 000 km. Ural carries its waters to the basin of the Caspian Sea, Syrdarya
flows into the Aral Sea, and Irtysh, Tobol and Yesil are waterways that feed the Arctic Ocean.
Some facts about rivers in Kazakhstan:
- There are about 7000 rivers with the
length of more than 10 km.
- There are more than 39,000 permanent
and temporary streams in total.
 Irtysh is the main tributary of the River Ob. The total length of the river is 4,248 km, which  is
the second largest figure among the rivers of the Asian region. The length of the Kazakh section
of the Irtysh is 1835 km. Source of the river is located on the eastern slopes of the Mongolian
Altai (border of Mongolia and China).
A section of the river before its confluence with the Zaisan Lake is called Black Irtysh. After Irtysh
passes the Bukhtarma hydroelectric station, it is no longer called "Black Irtysh" but "White Irtysh".
It should be noted that in addition to Bukhtarma, there are two more hydropower stations on
River Irtysh: Ust-Kamenogorsk and Shulbinsk. They are also located on the stretch of the river
below Lake Zaisan.
Irtysh is navigable along 3,784 km. Navigation on the river begins in April and lasts until
November.
Irtysh River is rich in fish. Fish such as sturgeon, white salmon, sturgeon, pike, perch and crucian
carp are encountered in it. Recently, wild carp, bream, perch and Baikal omul were released to the
river. In Irtysh, there are about 17 tributaries, the largest of which are Tobol, Yesil and Uba
Rivers.
 Kazakh national cuisine

Hospitality has always been a main character trait of Kazakh people. Even if you
have just a minute to pop in to a Kazakh house, an owner will still ask you to sit down and
offer a fragrant tea with sweets. Respectful attitude to the guests contributed to the fact
that traditional Kazakh feast took a shape of a ceremony, noninferior, in its philosophical
and allegorical content, to world famous Chinese tea ceremony.
Hospitable owner would offer his guest a seat at a place of honor. Traditionally,
meal is served at a low round table, called dastarkhan. First and foremost, in order to
quench thirst of the guest a hostess would treat him with a bowl of yogurt drink. This can
be "kumys" - a drink based on fermented mare's milk - or shubat the main ingredient of
which is camel milk. Then, table will be filled with baursaks - balls of dough, pre-fried in
boiling oil (Asian analogue of donuts), samsa - triangular pastries with meat, kausyrma -
a kind of thin pastries or fried doughs filled with meat and onions, raisins, kurt (small,
salted cheese balls) and, of course, tea. Here, to be objective, we should say that tea
never grew on the territory of Kazakhstan, it was introduced to the Steppe of Kazakhstan
from the outside, but despite this, tea quickly gained popularity among the local
population. And today, in fact, it is one of the main drinks in Kazakh society.
After a long-drawn tea ceremony, assortment of dishes on the festive table will be
complemented by meat dishes: kazi, shuzhuk, zhaya, karta, kabyrga. The above
dishes are traditionally prepared from horse meat or lamb. The main dish of Kazakh
cuisine, with which owners welcome their guests is besbarmak. Name of this dish is
translated from Kazakh as “five fingers” because of a manner to eat the dish by hand.
Besbarmak's main ingredients are: meat (lamb or horse meat), pasta (it is cut into small
squares), as well as herbs (dill , parsley, cilantro, etc.).
According to the European classification, all these dishes belong to a group of second
dishes and snacks. As for traditional Kazakh first course, sorpa – rich broth completed by
seasoned vegetables, spices and herbs - occupies a special place. Tea ceremony
completes the meal.
 
Interesting facts about Kazakh cuisine:
- Main ingredients in traditional Kazakh cuisine are meat, flour and milk
products, though nowadays many other ingredients are common in the cuisine.
- Kazakhs are believed to be among the top countries in tea consumption, almost
every meal is followed by tea in Kazakh families.
- Kazakh cuisine is usually not spicy.
- There are many high calorie dishes in the traditional Kazakh cuisine.
Kazakh language
Kazakh culture is also represented in Kazakh language and literature.
Kazakh is a Turkic language and is similar to other Turkic languages, such as Ozbek,
Kyrgyz, Turkish, etc. It is agglutinative language with a vowel harmony, like other Turkic
languages.
Kazakh is written using Cyrillic alphabet, though Kazakhs, living in China still use
Arabic-derived alphabet as 100 years ago. Kazakh was also written in Latin alphabet in
1920s, thus being changed several times in XX century. Nowadays a switch to Latin
alphabet is being discussed.
Russian is also widely used in Kazakhstan and is spoken almost everywhere.
 Kazakh literature
Kazakh language is very poetic and rich in metaphors, which are used not only in
poems and novels, but also in everyday language of people.
Highly poetic nature of Kazakh language has been perfect for the development of
Kazakh poetry from ancient times.
Easy to remember Kazakh poetry was delivered from ‘father to son’ from centuries
to centuries, sometimes slightly modified, sometimes with creation of completely different
variants, with happier ending than in the original, etc…
One of the examples of such folklore are epic poems and love poems. These are
true stories of love and braveness of heroes, in the form of long poems, which generally
reflect history of Kazakh people. Many of them are based on true stories: e.g. a
mausoleum of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu (Kazakh Romeo and Juliette) in East
Kazakhstan is a monument to their eternal love and a proof of their beautiful love story.
XIX-XX centuries were probably the period, when the most beautiful poems and novels
were created by Abay Kunanbayuly, Magzhan Zhumabayuly, Zhusipbek Aymautuly,
Shakerim Kudayberdiuly, and many others.
Kazakh Music

1. Kazakh traditional musical instruments and ethnic music

Kazakh traditional music can be divided into two genres: instrumental music and vocal
music. Instrumental music is called Kuy and performed by soloists using Kazakh traditional
musical instruments, e.g. dombra, kobyz, etc. Among the most famous kuy composers
there are Kurmangazy, Dina, Dauletkerey, Tattimbet, etc.
Dombra
Dombra is probably the most popular Kazakh musical instrument. Its gentle, soft and
velvety melodious sound is produced by only two strings.
Nowadays some dombra kuys are arranged and performed in rock or modern pop style,
e.g. by Ulytau, Asylbek Ensepov, and even classical music is performed by traditional
Kazakh instruments, which give them new sounding.
Here is an example of a Kazakh kuy played on dombra:
Kobyz
According to archeologists, along with dombra, a kobyz was also one of the most common
musical instruments of early nomads. Kobyz is a bowed string instrument, mainly used in
religious and magical rituals by baqsi (shamans), as well as folk singers. Kobyz served as a
means of communication with the spirits. Imitation of nature sounds are characteristic to
kobyz kuys, e.g. howling of wolves, cry of swans, running horse, the sound of a released
arrow.
Kobyz is believed to be the most ancient of all bowed string instruments in the world.
Sybyzgy is widely used instrument in the past, made from a hollow stem of saltwort. The
simple form and the availability of the material from which it is made, contributed to its
popularity among Kazakh musicians. By its tone quality sybyzgy produces a trembling
sound, resembling tremor and agitation of the sound. Sybyzgy sounds could be heard on
summer pastures, at weddings, birth of a child ceremonies, during arrival of honourable
guests.
Asatayak is an ancient Kazakh and Turkic percussion instrument. The shape resembles a
stick with a flat head, decorated with ornaments and hanging metal rings. Asatayak has an
open and sharp sound. To enhance the instrument’s sound, bells attached to the head
asatayak could be used. When shaking the instrument, bells give additional metallic
ringing sound.
Zhetygen is an ancient Kazakh and Turkic stringed musical instrument resembling a lying
harp. Classic zhetygen has seven strings, modern renovated ones have 15 strings.
The most ancient type of zhetygen was an oblong box, carved from a piece of wood. On
this zhetygen there were no upper decks or tuners. The strings were stretched by hand
from the outside of the tool. Later zhetygen’s upper part was covered with a wooden deck.
Under each string tripped on both sides asyks (bones) acting as pegs. Moving them one
could adjust strings and their sound.
Currently, folklore ensembles use reconstructed zhetygen in which in order to expand the
range of sounds, the number of strings is increased up to 15. Zhetygen has a mild,
melodious sound.
Shankobyz is a tongue folk instrument. It refers to self-sounding reed musical
instruments.
To play shankobyz, it should be pressed against one’s teeth or the lips and the oral cavity
serves as a resonator. Changing the articulation of the mouth and breathing makes it
possible to change the tone quality of the instrument. In addition, new tones to the sound
are made by changing the diaphragm position, many pharyngeal, laryngeal, tounge, lip
and other methods of sound production. Shankobyz is usually made from metal or wood.
Daulpaz is a Kazakh national percussion instrument. It is a musical instrument with a very
strong loud sound, it served in the past to give military signals, such as an attack signal.
Loud sounds of percussion instruments were also used to invite people to hunting or to
perform religious rites, announce the upcoming migrations, etc.
Here is an example of a traditional Kazakh song accompanied by Zhetygen, Dombra,
Kobyz and other instruments:

Modern Kazakh Pop Music

Modern Kazakh Pop Music is not very different from the pop music in other countries. In
recent years new wave of pop music in Kazakhstan has been developing, which is called
Q-Pop (Qazaq Pop). Many representatives of Q-Pop are popular among young people from
other countries, among them Ninety One, KeshYou, RinGo, Ayumi, etc.

Kazakh yurt

The snow-white dome in the green foothill of jaylyau, fabulous play of carpets and
tekemets, perfect prefabricated structure, which can be easily assembled or disassembled
if needed, - traditional home of a nomad… is that - a legend or reality?
This original house, a traditional phenomenon of portable Kazakh houses had been
evolving towards perfection for centuries. It has been recognized by researchers as "the
most perfect type of portable shelters and impressed the travelers and merchants,
ambassadors of foreign states and medieval historians. Many of them, left fanciful
descriptions of felt tents, which amazed them with its comfort and splendid decorations.
 
Construction of a Yurt

Yurt is a round-shaped, sophisticated construction with a dome. If explain its structure in

simple words, it consists of three main parts and many other smaller parts. Three main
parts include Shanyrak – top of the Yurt, Kerege – walls carcass and Uwyk – a carcass
part from Kerege to the Shanyrak. The carcass is usually covered with pieces of felt from
outside and decorated with carpets from inside.
It should be noted, that Shanyrak is extremely valuable for Kazakhs and is considered to
be a sacred symbol of family wellbeing and piece.
Yurt usually does not have rooms in it, and it was a common practice to have a separate
Yurt as a bedroom, separate one as a kitchen, guesthouse, etc as long as people could
afford that.
 
Kazakh Yurt - a sustainable and comfortable construction

Kazakh yurt is a product of traditional Kazakhstan culture based on the ecological balance
and sustainability, a product of a culture that does not seek to dominate and change the
nature, but seeks to learn its laws and follow them in a daily life. Perceiving the nature as
a natural shelter, nomads created their house by the own laws of the nature.
A nomad made the Yurt easy for assembling and disassembling, and with the help of one
camel and two horses the entire construction of the yurt and decorations of the interior
are easily transported. Dynamism of the nomadic life is wholly reflected in the optimal
comfort of Yurt’s structure. It keeps the cool air inside during hot summer days, protects
from cold piercing winds in winter and does not get wet from pouring autumn rains.
 
Kazakh Yurt and communion with nature and the universe

When speaking of the Kazakh yurt, we can confidently say that the dwelling was not only
just thoroughly thought out to meet the needs of the nomadic way of life, but the principle
of the yurt construction and decoration was a reflection of nomads’ views on the world
around them. Yurt brings a thoughtful and adapted principle of communion with nature,
with flat Steppes and high mountains, alpine meadows and endless blue skies. Stay in a
Yurt a couple of hours for a bowl of hot flavored tea or spend the night here and look
through the half-open shanyrak, the cool light of distant stars will touch your face, and
you will feel interesting, inexplicable feeling of comfortable security at home and at the
same time a sense of infinite openness of the universe. This unusual way of life was
probably dictated by ancestors of Kazakhs, not only because of the specifics of nomadic
economy, but also from the need to feel themselves a part of a whole, to live in unison to
the rhythms of the universe.
 
Yurt interior decorations

Connection to the nature and the universe is also reflected in the interior design of the
Yurt. Flower patterns of tekemets (felt carpets), abstract, cosmogonic ornaments of
baskurs (woven, patterned ribbons encircling the inner perimeter of the yurt), furniture
intricately carved and inlaid, all these reflect the perception of the Kazakh nomads about
the world structure and beauty among which they live. Almost all types of traditional craft
of Kazakhs can be found in the interior decoration of the Yurt. Multi-coloured patterns of
ornaments, rich texture and flexibility of wood-carvings, different type of embroideries, felt
carpets, leather handiworks and metal items, thus creating a unique polyphony of colors
and lines.

National Kazakh Wear

For centuries, Kazakh national clothes were simple and rational. It was characterized by common
forms for all segments of the population, but with a certain social and age regulations. Elegance
and beautiful elements to dresses were given by fur trim, embroidery, jewelry. Traditional
materials for the clothes were leather, fur, thin felt, cloth, which was produced by the local
population. Clothes sewn from imported materials - silk, brocade, velvet, were a kind of measure
of wealthiness of their owners. Cotton was also widely used.
Kazakhs have always valued animal skins and furs as sewing material. Coats, or so called Tons,
were sewed from animal skins, and fur coats, such as Shash were sewed from furred animals,
which were perfectly suitable for weather conditions in Kazakh Steppes. Outerwear was prepared
from skins and furs of wild and domestic animals, according to the names of which, clothes were
called: Zhanat tone - a coat of raccoon fur, Kara tulki ton - of a black fox fur, Kamshat
boryk - a beaver hat, Bota ton - a coat from camel skin, Zhargak tone - from a foal skin, etc.
Many kinds of clothing were made from felt. Predominantly white coat was used for its production,
and thin fur from sheep's neck was considered particularly valuable.

National clothes of Kazakh women

A Kazakh woman traditionally wore a dress with a waistcoat. Generally, outerwear of women was
similar to that of men: similar jackets, waistcoats, gowns, wide leather belts, it differed from
men's only in colours and some decoration details.
Headwear of Kazakh women, similar to many other nationalities, was also a kind of indicator of
their marital status. Headwear of married women differed in different tribal groups, but girls'
headwear was comparatively similar throughout the territory of Kazakhstan. Girls used to wear
hats of two types: skull cap (Takiya) and a warm hat (Borik), decorated with otter, fox or beaver
fur. A tuft of owl feather was often sewed to the top of takiya for decoration purposes, which also
played a role of a talisman. Gimp, tassels, gold embroidery and even silver coins were also used
for decoration.
Saukele is decorated by metal fishnet tops, tiara (sometimes made of gold with inlays of
semiprecious stones or strings of pearls, corals, etc.), temple pendants and chin decorations.
Saukele cone is covered with cloth, which was sewed by metal badges of different configurations,
into bezels of which precious and semiprecious stones are inserted. A broad ribbon of expensive
fabric, decorated with fringes of gold thread, was also attached to the back of saukele, which
went down to cover a part of the back of a girl. Compulsory supplement to saukele is a long
suspension, called zhaktau, which is attached to it from both sides, reaching the waist of a girl.

The most skilled craftsmen participated in saukele manufacturing: cutters, embroiderers,

jewellers, who applied the moulding, embossing, stamping, etc. during the process of
manufacturing. It took a year or even more to prepare one such saukele.
With the birth of the first child a woman put a headwear of a married woman on (see pic. on the
right), which was worn until her old ages. The details of this vary a little depending on the age of
woman and region she came from. This headwear consisted of two parts: the bottom - kimeshek
worn on the head, and the top - in the form of a turban, wound over the bottom part of the
headwear. Both parts were made from white fabric. These types of headwear are worn by older
women even today.
National clothes of Kazakh men
Kazakh men used to wear different skullcaps (takiya), summer and winter hats. Summer hat
- kalpak was sewed from thin felt, mostly white, and had a specific ancient
cut. Borik and tymak were worn in winter. Tymak is a warm winter hat with earflaps and neck
flaps made from fox, which is popular among Kazakh men even nowadays. Bashlyk is another
national headwear, made of camel cloth, which was supposed to be worn on top of other hats, to
protect from dust, sun, rain and snow.
Men's clothing consisted of the following components: Double under vest (zheyde), lower pants -
made of light fabric and the upper - of cloth, suede, sheepskin or thick cotton fabric. From the
early ages, when the Kazakhs used to go horseback riding, trousers were a necessary and
important part of their clothing.
The main type of outer clothing was shapan, a kind of robe.
In old times men's and women's footwear were also similar, though girls’ boots were often
decorated with embroidery and appliqué work. Footwear differed according to seasons. For
example, winter boots were tall, broad-shafted, worn over the felt stockings. Also there were
differences between footwear of older and younger people. Young people often wore boots with
high heels (up to 6 - 8 cm), older people – with low heels. Another common type of footwear
among Kazakhs was light boots without heels, tight fitting on legs, called ichigi or masi.
Leather kebis was worn over them, which was supposed to be put off at the entrance to the
house.
Decorations
A great variety of different decorations - great applications, patches were used on clothing,
headwear, footwear. Carnelian, coral, pearl, pearl, coloured glass were used to decorate gold,
silver, copper, bronze jewellery of women. Earrings, flat and wrought bracelets and rings were
extremely beautiful. Rings depending on their traditional forms have specific names, such as a
Bird's beak ring. Belts - a compulsory element of both male and female clothing - were decorated
especially: it was ornamented with embroidery; silver badges were sewn on it.

Types of jewellery usually depended on age, social and marital status of those who wore them.
Some of them were typical for certain territorial groups.
People's clothing is constantly being targeted by fashion designers, designers. Contemporary
clothing, created using national motives, is always original and unique.
Kazakh traditions

Kazakhs have always revered and highly valued their national customs and traditions. It is almost
impossible to describe all the traditions followed by Kazakh people in one article, thus a brief
introduction to Kazakh beliefs and customs is given below.
The main tradition of Kazakhs, which eventually transformed into a feature of national
character, is hospitality. In the Kazakh society, there is an unofficial law voiced in ancient times,
which says “Meet a guest as the God's messenger”.
Hospitality is considered a sacred duty in the Kazakh society. At all times, the steppe inhabitants
did their best to please their guest. Therefore, each traveller knew that he or she would be
welcomed anywhere in the Kazakh land.
Respect for the elderly  is another positive feature of Kazakhs. Traditionally, a child from early
childhood is taught to be moderate and honest when dealing with older, wiser and life
experienced people.
However, the above mentioned national identities that served as a basis for the occurrence of
generalized rules and principles of public relations (tradition), fortunately, are confined not only to
representatives of the Kazakh people. Therefore, we offer to your attention a list of basic and
authentic customs, which are widespread in the Kazakh society.
1. Traditions and customs associated with the guest reception
Travellers in Kazakhstan are most likely to be encountered with the traditions, associated with
guest reception. Here are some examples of them:
Konakasy - a custom associated with treating of a guest. As mentioned above, Kazakh people
since ancient times have been famous for their hospitality. Kazakhs always reserve the tastiest
food for guests. Guests are divided into three types: "arnayy konak" is a specially invited guest,
"kudayy konak" - a random stranger (uninvited), "kydyrma konak" - an unexpected guest. All
these guests, despite of their type are offered a rich table – Konakasy.
Konakkade - a tradition under which a host has a right to ask a guest to sing a song or play a
musical instrument (of course, as long as a guest is known for his or her talent), thus ensuring
some fun and joy during the feast.
Erulik - if new settlers came to a village erulik was arranged in their honour, i.e. a small
celebration that allowed newcomers to quickly adapt to the new location. Also, the custom erulik
includes assistance in settling of the newcomers, when neighbours provide them with firewood,
drinking water, etc. for the time being.
Toy dastarkhan - a special form of celebration, organized for holiday or during it. Sports
competitions, music, singing competitions (aitys) and horse riding competitions are organised in
addition to the gatherings during Toy dastarkhan. Very often, dishes of Kazakh national cuisine
are served during such occasions.

2. Traditions and customs associated with gift giving

Guests are very often have to receive or give presents; in addition, there are often times, when
gifts should be given in some special occasions according to the traditions. Some examples are
given below:
Suyіnshі - a custom according to which a traveller or any other person who brought home a
good message (news) receives a valuable gift from the owners in gratitude. Sometimes before
telling good news a person says ‘Suyunshi’ or ‘what would you give me for a Suyinshi?’, thus
implying that he or she has something great to tell.
“At mingizip shapan zhabu" is a high honour. According to the tradition, a respected visitor,
who may be a poet (akin), a hero, warrior (batir) or other very respected man receives a gift from
local residents: a horse and a splendid shapan (robe of camel's hair with a cotton lining) in
recognition of their merit.
Baygazy - a tradition of giving a gift to a person, who acquired a new valuable thing.
 
3. Traditions and customs associated with mutual aid
Helping each other has always been highly valued by Kazakhs and is very important in a Kazakh
community. Therefore, there are a number of traditions, which are associated with mutual aid.
Some of them are listed below:
Asar - a family, which has to perform an urgent and sometimes a hard work, has a right to ask
relatives, friends and neighbours for assistance. At the end of the work, a rich table is laid as a
gratitude for those, who helped.
Zhylu - a tradition associated with the provision of material, moral and financial assistance to
people affected by natural disasters (fire, flood, etc.). All supporters, not only relatives are entitled
to help the victims. Many things can be given as donations - livestock, building materials, clothing,
money, etc.
Belkoterer - a tradition to treat the elderly. Delicious and most importantly - soft foods such as
kazy, zhent, cottage cheese are cooked for the elderly. Typically, this responsibility rests on
children or close relatives, the less likely neighbours. Belkoterer tradition is an example of caring
for the elderly.
 
 4. Traditions and customs associated with birth and upbringing of the child
Traditions, connected with the birth of children and their upbringing, apparently play a very
important role in many cultures. Just a brief description of such rituals and traditions followed by
Kazakh families, is given below. All of these rituals are usually followed by celebrations.
Shіldehana - a celebration that is associated with childbirth.
Besіkke salu, besik toy - a holiday, hosted when the newborn is put to a cradle - besik. As a
rule, it is organized on the 3rd-5th day after dropout of umbilical cord of the kid.
Kyrkynan shygaru – a ritual performed on the fortieth day after birth that includes bathing baby
in 40 tablespoons of water, and the first haircut and nail cut and other rituals. 
Tusau kesu - a day when the baby took his first steps the oldest and most respected people is
invited to perform a ceremony of Tusau keser. Then he or she should cut the special ropes, beset
baby's legs, in order to ensure that in future the kid could walk nicely and run fast.
Sundetke otyrgyzu is a rite of circumcision. The ceremony is held when a boy is 5-7 years old.
A big festival to which all the relatives and friends are invited is organized after this. On the
occasion of Sundetke otyrgyzu guests usually make generous gifts to the hero of the occasion and
his parents.
 
5. Traditions and customs related to marriage
One of unique Kazakh traditions related to marriages is that the marriage between relatives up to
the seventh generation is prohibited. Such taboo helps to prevent blood mixing and, consequently,
benefit to the health of future offspring.
Traditionally, sequence of the ceremonies and rituals related to a marriage is the following.
Any wedding ceremony in the Kazakh society is anticipated by kudalyk (matchmaking). Before
the wedding, matchmakers come to bride's house. Their task is to agree with the closest relatives
of a girl on her marriage. During courtship, father of the bride receives gifts from the guests that
serve as a deposit.
If negotiations are successful, the father, in turn, presents a coat to the main matchmaker. This
custom is called “Shege Sapa”. Preparation of "kuyruk bauyr" - a delicious dish from the liver
and broad tail fat also testifies to the successful completion of courtship.
The next stage of the ceremony is sendoff of the bride Kyz uzatu. In the evening before the Kyz
uzatu matchmakers come to the bride's house again. Number of visitors should not be even (5-7).
Early in the morning, the bride with matchmakers is sent to the groom's house.
Solemn ceremony of meeting the bride in the groom’s house is called kelіn tusіru. The main
element of kelіn tүsіru is a traditional performance of a song of instructions and wishes
- Betashar.
In ancient times when the Kazakhs practiced a nomadic lifestyle, dwelling (yurt) of newlyweds
was located behind the house of groom’s parents. According to the tradition, the first threshold of
the yurt was to be crossed by the bride, and be sure to do it with the right foot. Also during the
wedding ceremony, the couple must drink together a bowl of water with dissolved sugar and salt.
This ritual is considered as a guarantor of a happy family life.
 
6. The most ancient traditions of Kazakh people
Ashamayga mingizu is a ritual whereby a 6-7-years-old boy was supposed to be given a horse
and whip. Such a ritual is a kind of "initiation", having proclaimed that the child is a jigit. On this
day, elders blessed the young rider and parents organized a small celebration in honour of their
son.
Bastangy is an ancient analog of contemporary youth parties. Traditionally, these celebrations
are conducted immediately after departure of adults. During Bastangy, guests express only one
wish that the travel of the adults would be accompanied by luck.

Kazakh Yurt

If you were in Kazakhstan, but did not see the white Kazakh yurt on the green meadows of
jaylyau, you can not feel and enjoy the real life of Kazakhs and their culture. Yurt is one of the
oldest and greatest inventions of Eurasian nomads. At all times Yurt was a practical and
convenient, portable accommodation.
 

The Pavlodar oblast - large industrial centre in Kazakhstan representing diversified industrial
complex focused on manufacture of electrical and fuel energy, production of oil processing,
mechanical engineering, easy and food-processing industry, building materials. The largest
representatives metallurgical industry are joint-stock company "Aluminium of Kazakhstan", joint-
stock company "Kazakhstan electrolises a factory" Aksu factory ferrosplav - branch of joint-stock
company "Kazhrom". The mining industry is submitted such large enterprises as: "Bogatyr Аксес
Комир", "Maicuben Вест". In oblast one of the large enterprises in Republic on manufacture of
petroleum - joint-stock company "the Pavlodar petrochemical factory" works.
              The most part of area is within the limits of the south of the West-Siberian plain being
greatest plain of globe. The relief of a southwest part of region is very interesting. Among painted
in the yellow - brown colour half desert of steppe and melcosopohnic, with poor vegetation can
you see a small mountain-wood oasis. It also is one of painting comer of Kazakhstan, one of the
best places of rest and tourist campaigns, travels to a fairy tale.

             In structure of area three cities: Pavlodar, Ekibastuz, Аksu, four settlements and ten
village areas. The centre of area - city Pavlodar, is one of oldest and most beautiful cities of
Republic located on a coast Irtysh - the largest river in Kazakhstan. With the poets it(he) admires
the visitors by the wide prospectuses and streets, shady parks and avenues, flower beds and
fountains, here is clean, light and is cosy at any time of year.

            Pavlodar - recognized centre of culture and art of northern Kazakhstan. Pavlodar people
sacred preserve monuments of history and cultures of the people. The museums, exhibition,
presentation of cultural achievement here are very popular and are visited. The city has a rich
history and old cultural traditions. Pavlodar Prirtyshye is Native land of the known figures of a
science, culture and art. Kanysh Satpaew, Grigory Potanin, Alkei Margulan, Sultanmahmut
Toraigyrow, Shapyk Shokin, Ghumat Shanin, Maschur Ghusup Kopeew, Dihan Abilew, Shaken
Aimanow, Gharylgapberdy, Ghayau Musa, Isa Baysakow, Sabit Donentaew, P. Wasiliew and
others, glorified not only our area, but also Republic were born here. White stone the strip
lengthways Irtysh stretched this benevolent and hospitable city.
             The city Ekibastuz on June 12, 2007 has noted the fifty years' anniversary. The history
and occurrence of city is indissolubly connected to development Ekibastuz of a deposit stone
comer. In 1954 the operation of the first coal cut began. In 1957 on a card of Kazakhstan the new
city - Ekibastuz has appeared. Now population of city and village zone is made of 140 thousand
people. One higher educational institution, general educational, five children’s sports, one art and
one musical school, more 28 children's gardens, 40 medical establishments work in city. The
central urban library, House of Friendship, in which function 10 etnoculture of the centres, urban
museum, Central urban of culture "Oner", urban park of culture and rest "Miner" concern to
cultural - educational objects.

            City Аksu (to 1993 - Ermak) - city in the Pavlodar oblast in 50 km to the south from
Pavlodar on the left coast Irtysh. The territory of city and its village region borders with Aktogai
oblast in north, with Bayanaul, May, Lebiage - in the south, with Pavlodar - in west, with a village
zone of city Ekibastuz - in east.
            The history of city is indissolubly connected to opening of deposits stone coal in area
Ekibastuz. In 1897 from Ekibastuz the construction 109-werst of a railway way began. Sunday the
railway passed on territory of the future city. On a place of contact of a road with Irtysh the quay
has appeared, two settlements began to develop: administrative and worker. In 1914 the plan of
a new settlement Ermak was authorized. On May 4, 1993 the city Еrmаk is renamed into city
Аksu. In some years by the decision chief of area from July 9, 1997 the territory abolished Аksu of
area is included in borders of city Аksu as a village zone - village districts and settlement   
Каlkaman are handed to administrative submission of city Аksu.
              Modern Аksu is an industrial, agricultural city in the Pavlodar oblast. The population of
city are about 70 000 people, of them the village inhabitants more than 29 000 people.
             The industrial infrastructure of city is represented two hailstones forming of the
enterprise: Аksu factory of ferrosplawof and electrical station the Euroasian power corporation.
Power of city from a beginning of 2001 is produced of 5.580.7 millions kilowatt-hour of the electric
power and 612.0 gekocalories of a thermal energy. The construction of industrial objects of a
factory ferrosplawof began from 1962. In January, 1968 at a factory first ton ferrosplawof was
sucelted, and in July, 1970 the start 8 of furnaces of shop № 2 was finished. In 1995 the
enterprise was included in structure Transnational of the company Kazhrom.
           Major strategic object of city is the channel Irtysh-Karaganda of a name K.Satpaew. The
channel Irtysh-Karaganda is basic supplier of drinking water in central and northern parts of
Kazakhstan. The village region of city Аksu consists of 1 settlement, 3 villages and 11 village
districts. Agricultural specialization of village region of city Аksu: meat - dairy animal industries,
vegetable - potatoes drive, bird drive.

PAVLODAR CITY

     Pavlodar city is ancient city was appeared in the beginning 18 centuries as one of the
advanced posts of Irtysh of a military line.
The national legends informed us that before XVIII century on the place where Pavlodar
city is located the nomadic generations including for Kazakh people established the yurts in the
summer time. But the yurt, s settlement had not the name and they were not on the map.
Probably, so the landscape looked, when in 1720 on a place modern Pavlodar kaxaki have based
an advanced post Koryakowsk as one of parts of a line. " … This advanced post all other on Irtysh
is more multicrowded, has best there structure. High and open there steppe, on which the
advanced post lays, the valley with pleasant islands, taking place on the river, gives to his rule still
large pleasantly … ", - the traveller P.S. Pallas in 1770 years.
     In 1861 under the initiative of local merchants stanica is erected in a rank of city, to which the
name Pavlodar is appropriated in honour of newborn prince Pavel. Convenient site of city,
presence of quay, industrial production salt - all this has resulted in fast growth of city. The large
development was got with trade with steppe. The merchants, occupied the city, was given to it
with new shape, has appeared much rich of wooden houses, churches, mosque. These buildings
till now decorate an old part of city Pavlodar.
     Approximately in 100 years after reception of the status of city within development of a virgin
soil Pavlodar has gone through the fastest development. The transformation of city into an
industrial centre is connected to construction in Pavlodar of a Tractor and Aluminium factory.
Today Pavlodar is the centre of the Pavlodar area, one of the basic industrial centres of
Kazakhstan.
      To the beginning 20 centuries Pavlodar became one of the biggest cities on Irtysh. Pavlodar is
modern industrial and cultural city. Аre the oldest houses in Siberian “merchant” style
neighborhood with modern buildings. Modern Pavlodar was stretched during 16 kms, on a coast
Irtysh, which forms western border of city and defines his character. The green quay Irtysh
involves the inhabitants and visitors of city. If from here to look at west, as far as the eye only
steppe, infinite sky and Irtysh with abrupt wild slopes suffices.
     Pavlodar is one of the largest industrial centres of Kazakhstan: here there are enterprises with
a various branch orientation, processing of petroleum, mechanical engineering, construction,
power, chemical industry and metallurgy. Besides about аbout 7000 enterprises of small and
average business make foodstuff and consumer goods. Since 2003 the cargo shipping company
on Irtysh is renewed. In spite of the fact that in Pavlodar there are no representations of the
international companies many from the Pavlodar firms have long-term of the attitude with the
enterprises of Germany. For example, Aluminium factory or joint-stock company "Dew".
 
Attractions.
          Opening Paleontologi of a site "Goose flight" with such rich fauna animal neogen of the
period (25 - 2 mln. years) has resulted in Pavlodar Priirtyshye paleozoologist from all former
Soviet Union. Unfortunately, all found out poleomaterial was taken away by the scientists, since in
first in Pavlodar in that time yet was not edge conducting of a museum, in second there was no
scientific organization, which could ensure study and safety paleoontologi of the rests. The active
works on development of a park complex (museum open-air) on a place of a monument, with
development excavation of a complex are now conducted, where everyone wishing can observe
process of excavation of ancient animals, and also sculptural gallery, where in a sculpture the
basic kinds of animals of that time will be reproduced.
          Site. The monument is located in the Pavlodar area, on the right I protect r. Irtysh, on
northern edge. Pavlodar, in 500 м to the south from the railway bridge.

         The practical importance. The monument, not looking on numerous excavation, before
today's time is farly from being exhausted. Annually, after flood r. Irtysh and collapse of a coastal
line caused by spring high waters, here is exposed horizon. On a monument the educational
employment of schools of will constantly be carried out Pavlodar. That the monument is in a city
boundaries, it is most frequently visited place, both inhabitants of. Pavlodar, and visitors and
tourists of our city. The monument of a nature "Goose flight" is the largest known burial place
neogen of animals The reference monument known all over the world, on which conducts
comparison all of the nowadays investigated burial places of the dyed out animals of this time.

         The active works on development of a park complex (museum open-air) on a place of a
monument, with development Excavation of a complex are now conducted, where everyone
wishing can observe process of excavation of ancient animals, and also sculptural gallery, where
in a sculpture the basic kinds of animals of that time will be reproduced.

The architectural structure mosque of a name Mashhyr

The architectural structure mosque of a name Mashhyr Zhusup amazes imagination with beauty
and greatness. Main mosque of city it is visible from the different ends of city. The building of
mosque is represented an eight-final star by the size 48х48 of meter, height of minarets - 63
meters, height of a dome with half-moon - 54 meters. An ornament of mosque - crystal luster
"Zumrad" with 434 bulbs made in Tashkent. The mosque is located at the centre of Pavlodar and
architecturally if to look from the basis of a ladder, is similar to the opened heart open for the
world and goods.
Monument of the poet Toraigirov

          On streets Ak. Satpaeve on a background the monument to the poet Toraigirove was
established. Toraigirov is the Kazakh poet.He is democrat, native of Bayanaul of area. Having lived
short life, he has left the bright trace in the Kazakh literature. The monument to the poet is made
of bronze, supply from a red and black granite. The wall of an art museum being a background of
a memorial, is filled with two subject relieves, which author is the young talented sculptor Murat
Mansurove.He used themes from products Toraigirove. Height of each relief of 3 meters, width of
6 meters. The monument represents a bronze figure of the poet worth at a pine. Toraigirov is
represented as the poet - lyric and romantic - qualities peculiar to youth. The elements tragedy
supplements the decisions supply - combination of red and grey granite and two small
architectural forms as pyramids. The pyramids symbolize that live the poet long enough life, he
would reach greater heights in the Kazakh literature. The author of a sculpture the Deserved
figure of arts Eshan Sergebaev. The memorial of Toraigirove became an ornament of city and
monument of republican meaning. The monuments to a history and architecture are cultural
property of the people, therefore they are under protection of the state.
Blagoveshchensk cathedral

From modern monuments of architecture Blagoveshchensk cathedral the cathedral surprises with
scope. The cathedral is constructed in 1999. The Pavlodar architects for a basis have taken one of
cathedrals of Moscow Kremlin. Bells were shot in Moscow, at a factory of a name Lihacheve, all
them nine. The largest bell weighs - 1024 kg. The church utensils is made in city Sofrin (Moscow
province), partially at furniture factory of city Pavlodar. The large architectural rarity is the
monolithic dome. The gilt cross above a dome is established at height of 51 meters. The arch of a
temple is high climbing of the chapter with gold crosses, graceful towers, belfry make a temple by
unique architectural ensemble
The House of Friendship

     In the autumn of 2008 in Pavlodar the House of friendship has opened, of which for a long
time dreamed all cultural of formation of Assembly of the people of Kazakhstan of the Pavlodar
area. The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev has taken part in his opening. «Friendship
for us - not the empty word, - was told by it that day - we live in the multinational country. Only
representatives more than hundred nationalities live at the Pavlodar area. In our country of school
the theatres - in six languages work in many languages, MMI - on eleven. At us 4500 national-
cultural centres. And it all, being united, creates a generality, which in the Constitution refers to as
as the people of Kazakhstan

    "Ahead - interesting life..." Of Such House of friendship, as at us, is primary and constructed as
Centre of friendship, instead of something other, and intended only for work in it the Assembly of
the people of Kazakhstan, - is not present in one city of the country more. Per day of opening N.A.
Nazarbaev has met the chiefs cultural of associations in a conference hall. Today here are located
Assembly of the people of Kazakhstan of the Pavlodar area with premises all of nineteen centres
and youth wing of assembly, school of national revival, public association"? «Kazakh language»,
regional centre of training to the state language "Native language". The work of all these
structures is interconnected. Each of them, only perfectly supplements each other: The school of
national revival, for example, incurs function of education of love to sources of native culture in
children, and youth develops the received knowledge, brings up in itself leader and somewhere
even pedagogical qualities, while old people cultural of associations by a word and business help
them in all.

     The first floor ours center completely administrative. Here are magilis-hall on 120 places and
concert hall on 300 places. Besides in the House of friendship there are two computer classes,
cafe on 80 places and rehearsal a hall. There is work above organization of library of the national
literature and museum, in which the materials about each of twenty cultural of formations of
Assembly of the people of Kazakhstan of the Pavlodar area will be submitted.

     Each national centre has study. The own office is and at youth wing of assembly - 18 youth
associations conduct active public work, act on various festivals and competitions, participate in
interesting debate of sessions of debatable club "Patriote" on the themes, closest to them, which
and offer to discussion. Besides, in the House of friendship work regional public association
"Kazakh language", school of national revival, in which are trained about 600 children.

     Creatively approaching to planning the work, the experts of these departments also will be
now coordinating part of a House of friendship - his brain. So ahead - life, very interesting and
sated with bright events, in one general house - in the House of friendship.
     We in the answer for the future. With opening of a House of friendship in life of Assembly of
the people of Kazakhstan of the Pavlodar area, in the creative plans cultural of formations has
appeared a lot of new: the fresh projects, forms of work of collectives both simply interesting
ideas and ideas. About what became for national center this and as it is entered in their
foreseeable future, the chiefs cultural of formations told. After astana the people Center of the
world and consent the House of friendship of the Pavlodar area largest in the country. The day of
opening remain in memory of children, youth, active of Assembly of the people of Kazakhstan of
area.

     Now in the House of friendship together, a number with each other, is all twenty cultural of
formations and branch of school of national revival. It is symbolical, that all of us have appeared
under one roof. So it is very convenient to work and fruitfully to be engaged in propagation of the
cultural values. After moving in the House of friendship cultural the centres is more active than
steel to cooperate with management on development of languages. In many respects Assembly of
the people of Kazakhstan of the Pavlodar area after opening a house on the order became higher,
has grown е ё the status. All conditions here are created that everyone and everyone cultural the
formation could be realized by the opportunities in the field of culture, language, customs and
traditions.
Kazakh musik-drama theatre named by Z.Aimauytov

The Kazakh theatre named by Zusipbek Aimauytov is a

first child of sovereign Kazakhstan. It has been opened on
December, 7th, 1990. By the invitation of Akim of the
Pavlodar region it was created and deduced in leading
theatres of republicby the deserved art worker, the owner of
the State Premium, main director Ersain Tapenov, Setzhan
and Rose Tajibayevs, Sansyzbay and Алма Bekbolatovs,
Amangeldy Zhuke, arrived from Karaganda, Muhtar
Manapov from Zhezkazgan theatre. Later the theatre has
replenished with talented graduates of the Kazakh institute
of arts. Nowadays it is leading actors Muhtar Bayjumanov,
Talzhibek Atambet, Imangozha Baktybek and others.

Pavlodar region drama theate named by A.Chehov

Pavlodar Regional Drama Theater named after Anton

Chekhov
 
Director - Artistic Director Victor Theater Avvakumov.
Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of
the Union of theatrical figures of the Republic of
Kazakhstan. For services to the Republic, a significant
contribution to the development of theatrical art of the
country awarded the medal "Eren enbegi ushin"