Lesson one.

Read the text.

Hospitality Traditions

Kazakh hospitality traditions have much in common with those of other Oriental cultures, 1. ___.
In the past, Kazakhs faced very severe reprimands for not properly hosting a guest (even an
uninvited one). The hosting of guests began with a greeting, after which the guests were seated
in the most honourable place in the yurt (usually in the centre, towards the back). After that, the
guests were treated with kumis, various snacks, and meat. In some cases, they were presented
with gifts, and the guests of honour were often given shapan (robes).

The hospitality traditions of the Kazakh people include many different customs 2. ___

At mingizip shapan zhabu – the custom of the highest honour, which involves giving a horse
and a robe to the guest.

Bata – a blessing when a guest leaves, especially if the guest is going on a long journey. Usually
this tradition is expressed in a beautiful poetic form.

Korimdik – a gift that gives a guest the right to see a young daughter-in-law or a newborn baby.

Konakasy – 3. ____ If the homeowner does not present konakasy, then the guest could complain
to the village elder, and the homeowner must pay a fine in the form of a horse or other livestock.

Shashu – a custom to shower guests with sweets and money, 4. ___

Task 1. Complete the gaps with extracts A-D.

A. that apply depending on the situation and the status of the guest:

B. all of which have a very respectful attitude towards guests

C. which is carried out at weddings, during matchmaking, and at other similar events.

D. treats that must be served to guests, even casual or uninvited ones.

Task 2. Find the words in the text which have a similar meaning.

1. Blame -
2. Pour -
3. Proposal of marriage –
Lesson 2.

Task 1. Proverbs. Do you know? Match the beginning with the endings of the following
proverbs:

a. every man has 1. makes a bad ending

b. An Englishman’s home (house) 2. that has only one hole
c. east or west 3. learn
d. it is a poor mouse 4.his weak side
e. knowledge is 5. but do much
f. live and 6. is his castle
g. promise little, 7. home is best
h. a bad beginning 8. power

Task 2. “Kazakh beliefs”. Fill in the suitable words into gaps.

kazan 2 salt kettle visitor breakfast dog horse mane

1.______can not be left facing the entrance door. It is a bad luck if a ____slips and falls.
2. One should take care when putting a ________on the fire so as not to let the boiling water
escape on to the fire. Because the water salts will be burnt in the fire.
3. If a ______follows a horseman leaving his village, people would not try to force it back. The
dog is devoted to its owner, and if it wants to go with him it means he will have a happy voyage.
4. If you have a _______ during your breakfast, he or she must have some of your food. There is
saying: “One cannot ignore the morning meal”.
5. _______is the beginning of successful day.
6. Usually, __________and tails are not trimmed, to make sure the horse’s owner enjoys good
health.
7. Kazakh are always careful with ______.

4) Read the text and answer the questions True False.

The Kazakh people have a long tradition of peace, tolerance and co-existence. Children learn
hospitality and respect from a very young age, and this is reflected in the wonderful hospitality
offered to all guests and travelers.
If you visit a Kazakh household - whether or not you are expected - those present will stand up in
greeting as you enter the door. You will be seated on the tor - the special guest seat and offered a
cup of either kumiss or tea. It is considered extremely poor manners to disturb the weary or
hungry guest, so the host often remains silent until you are refreshed!
Kazakhstan Hospitality
Suyinshi
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:
Suyinshi - a custom according to which a traveler 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 ‘Suyinshi’ or ‘what would you give me for a
Suyinshi?’, thus implying that he or she has something great to tell.
Asar
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.
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.
Kyrkynan shygaru
There are many traditions, connected with the birth of children and their upbringing, apparently
play a very important role in many cultures.
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.
Tusau kesu
Kazakhstan Weddings
According to Kazakh custom, a wedding lasts 40 days, beginning with the matchmaking. The
fiance's relatives act as matchmakers, bringing gifts to the bride's parents and asking for their
consent to the marriage. Sometimes it is the bride who chooses whether to accept the offer, using
diplomacy and tact to avoid an unhappy situation.
Solemn ceremony of meeting the bride in the groom’s house is called kelin tusiru. The main
element of kelin tysiru is a traditional performance of a song of instructions and wishes -
Betashar.

1. You may always get a cup of tea or kumiss when you visit Kazakh family.
2. Children don’t learn hospitality from young age in Kazakhstan.
3. When you tell someone important news in Kazakhstan you may get a present.
4. During hard work nobody help each other in Kazakhstan.
5. Zhylu is a special tradition of helping people in difficult situation.
6. Betashar is a tradition connected with the first step of a child.
7. There are no traditions connected with children.
8. Kazakh wedding lasts 40 days.