NAURYZ

NAURYZ-FEAST OF SPRING RENEWAL

 In Kazakhstan spring arrives fully on 21 March –
on the special day when Nauryz is celebrated,
signifying not only the spring equinox but also
renewal of nature. Nauryz in Kazakhstan
symbolizes fertility, friendship and love. On this
special day people dress up, visit close people and
keep wishing well. For eastern nations, Nauryz is
the same as New Year, as both holidays are
messengers of a new life. Even the name of the
holiday “Nauryz” is translated from Farsi as “new
day”.
IN OLD DAYS, BEFORE NAURYZ ARRIVAL PEOPLE HAD
TURNED OUT THEIR HOSES AND FARM, FOR HOLIDAY’S NAME
AFTER HAD PLANTED TREES AND FLOWERS. IT IS BELIEVED,
THAT IF NAURYZ IS COMING IN TO CLEAR HOME TO GOOD
OWNER, ILLNESS, FAILURES, HARDSHIPS ARE COME AROUND
THE SIDE OF.
IN OLD DAYS, BEFORE NAURYZ ARRIVAL PEOPLE HAD TURNED
OUT THEIR HOSES AND FARM, FOR HOLIDAY’S NAME AFTER HAD
PLANTED TREES AND FLOWERS. IT IS BELIEVED, THAT IF
NAURYZ IS COMING IN TO CLEAR HOME TO GOOD OWNER,
ILLNESS, FAILURES, HARDSHIPS ARE COME AROUND THE SIDE
OF.
IN NAURYZ IT IS A MUST TO HAVE A TRADITIONAL FESTIVE
DISH NAURYZ-KOJE ON THE TABLE. KAZAKHS BELIEVE THAT
ONE SHOULD EAT MUCH OF THIS DISH ON NAURYZ, AND THEN
YOUR YEAR WILL BE IN PROSPERITY.
NAURYZ-KOJE
 Nauryz-koje is a nutritional rich soup that is cooked
from 7 ingredients: meat, water, flour, butter, millet
(could be replaced with rice or corn), salt and milk.
Each component of the dish symbolizes one of the
seven life beginnings: growth, luck, and happiness, and
wealth, health, wisdom and sky auspices. Nauryz is
full of symbols. So, the number 7 has its special
meaning in celebrating Nauryz – seven ingredients in
nauryz-koje that is afterwards poured into seven bowls
and is laid in front of wise old men-aksakals. Each
person should invite seven guests and should visit
other seven houses.On Nauryz they drink kumys –
dairy product made of horse milk.
TRADITIONALLY ON THIS DAY THEY CONGRATULATE BY SAYING “KOKTEM
TUDI!” ALSO THERE ARE MANY CONTESTS OF WIT-POETS HELD ON THIS
HOLIDAY, THAT ARE CALLED "AKINS" IN KAZAKHSTAN; THE FEAST CANNOT BE
WITHOUT NATIONAL CONTESTS AMONG WHICH IS NATIONAL WRESTLING
"KAZAKSHA-GURES", LOGIC GAME CALLED "TOGUZ KUMALAK" AND OF COURSE
HORSE GAMES "KYZ-KUU" AND "BAYGA". THEATRICAL STAGED PERFORMANCES
ARE PLAYED IN THE STREETS. ANOTHER OLD NAURYZ TRADITION IS
"ALTYBAKAN", WHERE GIRLS AND BOYS GATHER TOGETHER TO SOCIALIZE AND
RIDE ON THE SWINGS.
BAYGA
 Bayga was carried out on all holidays and was available to all
interested persons who wanted to participate. According to a pre-
revolution witness, “there is no competition among the Kazakhs
greater than bayga: it accompanies the birth of a baby, the wake
for a deceased, as well as meeting the honorable guests.” It was
common to all peoples of Central Asia. For example, the Kirghiz
called it “chabysh,” Uzbeks—“poyga.” Kazakhs’ bayga was
arranged on a fly at terrain along a straight line with a turn or in a
closed circle. The e competition was conducted at the following
distances: from 1.2 to 2 km for horses at least three years old
(kunan bayga); from 2.4 to 4.8 km for horses younger than four
years (donen bayga); from 5 to 8 km for horses at age of five or
older (actually bayga). This sequence of participation of horses in
bayga served as preparation for showing good results in the
future, in grueling race of alaman bayga.
BAYGA
KYZ KUU
 Kyz kuu (catch the girl)—horse-riding game
originated from ancient times, when the girls were
warriors and rider. They were demanding a
number of conditions to their chosen ones,
including competition in the races. In case of
victory, a warrior had the right to marry her, in
case of defeat—the right to ask her hand. Some
variations of this game, conducted during wedding
and other feasts, in the changed forms still exist to
this day.
KYZ KUU
ALTY BAKAN
 Alty bakan (literally “six pillar”)—Kazakh swings
were made of six pillars, the ends of which were
tied up with a durable rope, cross-pole was
installed on top, where paired nooses were
attached for legs and seating. Alty bakan was held
in the evening. In traditional Kazakh society with
strictly regulated rules of etiquette between the
genders, especially for the youth, this amusement
served as one of the most important
communication tool.
ALTY BAKAN