Nauryz meiram
Description:
For Kazakhs, this holiday is a symbol of spring renewal, the triumph of love, fertility and friendship. In ancient times, before the arrival of Nauryz, people brought their houses and households in order, in honor of the holiday they planted trees and flowers. It was believed that if Nauryz enters a clean house to a good owner, then illness, failure, adversity bypass him.
Nauryz means "the birth of spring." This is the most important and ancient festival of Eastern peoples. In fact, it is the New Year according to the ancient Eastern calendar. It has another name, Ulys Kuna (“First New Year’s Day”) or Ulystin Ula Kuna (“Great People’s Day”). It is believed that the generous celebration of the Nauryz holiday will bring abundance and success to the house for the whole year. These beliefs explain the abundance of festive rituals and customs.
With the arrival of the holiday, Kazakhs dress in festive clothes, visit each other and exchange congratulations and wishes of well-being in the coming year.
Celebrations are accompanied by ubiquitous fun, games, horse racing, and other entertainment. The main ritual dish of this holiday is nauryz-skin. Nauryz skin should consist of 7 ingredients, symbolizing 7 elements of life: water, meat, salt, fat, flour, cereals (rice, corn or wheat) and milk. These ingredients symbolize joy, luck, wisdom, health, well-being, speed, growth and divine protection.
When Kazakhs celebrate Nauryz, the presence of the number "7" is mandatory - it includes 7 days of the week - temporary units of infinity of the universe: in front of the aksakal (white-bearded, old man) 7 bowls with nauryz skin should be put. Everyone should visit 7 houses and invite 7 guests.
"Koktem Tuda" ("Happy Birth of Spring") - this is how Kazakhs congratulate each other on the streets, in parks, squares and stadiums with the Nauryz holiday. Thousands of people watch the sharp competitions of the word akyns, for competitions in national sports - Kazakhsha kures, toguz Kumalak, horse racing (Kyz-Kuuu and Baiga). Various performances and theatrical scenes, representing national traditions and rituals, attract people and teach them to respect their culture and native land, strive to preserve peace and understanding between different nationalities of Kazakhstan.
Closer to the evening begins aitys - a verbal contest of akyns accompanied by dombra. It can be attended by men and women, old and young. It continues until dawn. The winner is the one who glorifies the best.
In the midst of the holiday, young people gather at the swing - Altybakan. Everyone sings songs, dances, has fun and plays national games.
In Kazakhstan, Nauryz was not celebrated publicly from 1926 to 1988. Since 2001, Nauryz has been declared a state holiday. Therefore, March 22 is a non-working day in Kazakhstan.