1.2. Kazakh’s attitude to their traditions and customs
Kazakhs are a nomadic people who today have moved to a sedentary lifestyle, but carefully preserves their traditions that have been formed over thousands of years. Constant moving across the endless steppes, living in small groups, the peculiarities of religious beliefs – all this has created a unique complex of rituals and customs, which today are called the traditions of Kazakhstan. Some traditions helped to develop practical survival skills, others had sacred significance, some were created for the development of relationships and socialization, and some became the basis for the formation of the culture of the Kazakh people and their identity. Today, the traditions of the Kazakh people are part of the national doctrine, which is based on four principles: trust, openness, tolerance, traditions. The country's leadership supports the preservation and revival of national traditions, there are organizations working to disseminate information about the history and traditions of the Kazakh people. Kazakhs are an oriental people, in which the traditions of hospitality are very strong. Any guest, even an uninvited one, should be treated with respect, offered food and the best place in the yurt. It was customary to give the guests of honor a shapan (robe), and this tradition has been preserved to this day. The traditions of hospitality in Kazakhstan have many details that are given great attention. A wedding is an important stage in the life of any person, but for Kazakhs it is an even more important event, which is accompanied by a huge number of customs and rituals. Even long before the wedding, the parents of the future newlyweds collude. This is followed by matchmaking and the payment of "kalym" for the bride. The wedding itself is also divided into two: a wedding at the bride's house and a wedding at the groom's house. Family is the basis of life for Kazakhs. Family relations, parenting, the principle of family ties – all this is reflected in the special customs and traditions of the Kazakh people. The principle of "zheti ata", according to which one should know seven generations of one's ancestors, as well as indicating the continuation of the family on the paternal line. There were special rules in the upbringing of children, and significant events in the life of a child were accompanied by peculiar Kazakh rituals. The daily life of the Kazakhs was filled with many insignificant, but very interesting traditions, from which a unique ethnic culture was formed. The people had customs, household and sports traditions that were used at home, on the street, at important events. There were also various games that also became folk traditions – children's street games, horse games, etc.