Elements
Elements
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Keste - Kazakh embroideryKeste - traditional Kazakh hand-made embroidery with colored thread and needles or hooks (biz/ilgek/ilme) and hoop (kergish). A Kazakh word keste means 'a scheme or painting'. Direct analogues of colored woolen threads embroidery are found in artifacts of the Berel burial in East Kazakhstan, dating from the IV. BC. The embroidery is often made on velvet, plush, cloth, felt, velveteen, cotton and silk with woolen, cotton, silky, golden, silver threads and spun gold. Gimp, beads, coral, pearl beads, silver details are frequently applied. There are about 40 kinds of complex and simple Kazakh embroidery: biz keste - tambour embroidery created with a thin awl-hook; tizbek tigis, shyrash tigis, tyshkan iz, kұs izi (a “bird” seam) shynzhyr, shym keste (tight cover seam without gaps), koykusak, kigash, albyr keste (distichous seam) are the names and versions of tambour embroidery with needle; oraypek/oraypa is a kind of albyr keste; kebeke is a seam similar to Russian embroidery on canvas; zhorme, zhormeme, orys keste, aykas tigis is a cross-stitch embroidery; kereghe bas tigis is a “goat” seam. Baspa is a couched hemstitch technique and shyralzhyn is a simple one. A satin stitch with bedding bedel keste creates relief forms. A columnar seam zhormeu makes zigzag weave. The techniques can be used in combination. Embroidered products are made for domestic purposes and various ceremonies, which led to the species diversity. In festive men's and women's clothing: shapans, dresses koylek, flared skirts beldemshe, sleeveless jackets beshpet, hats, scarves oramal; in interior items: tablecloths, korzhyn etc.Country : Kazakhstan
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Teri Onderu - Traditional leather processingTraditional leather processing and dyeing techniques are widely used in Shubarkuduk (Western Kazakhstan), which also hosts a school for teaching these techniques to young people. Leather utensils, serve as a 'refrigerator', which can withstand any changes in temperature. The freshness of kymyz (mare's milk) and shubat (camel milk) kept in such way. The tradition of leather craft, method of treatment passed down from generation to generation. Currently, the synthesis of professional creative activities and traditional motifs of the past is seen as the source of the revival of the classical tradition. These days, leather utensils fail to fulfill its utilitarian function, people mostly use it as a souvenir. Traditional technique of leather processing is used along with modern methods. The leather is used to produce men’s belts (kumys beldyk); hunting belt with accessories (kyseh beldyk with powder flask, pouch, fire striker, and sheath for a knife); women’s belt (belbeu); traditional footwear (yetyk, kebys, myasy); leather braided whip (khamshy), four, six and eight strand whip (used for horse riding); twelve and fourteen strand whip (used for protection from wolf attack); a quiver for arrows; a sheath for knives, swords, and sabers; leather shields. There are also leather vessels for mare’s milk: kauhar (flat vessel with narrow neck), torsykh (a vessel with rounded handles), mess (water skin), sabah (a large vessel tailored from goatskin). Traditional fur hats are widespread in Kazakhstan, namely tymakh and boryk with a lining made from fox, wolf, muskrat or mink fur and pushpakh tymakh made from fox paws; as well traditional men’s clothes (shapan and zharghakh) light coat made from light and soft suede and decorated with fine silk embroidery. Kazakh suede was one of the most valuable goods of the Silk Road and was traded as expensively as Chinese silk. One of the most common techniques used by Kazakh artisans is hot stamping on leather with metal plates called khalyp. Nowadays the national artistic traditions and new creative trends reflected in the works of modern masters and artists, where the ancient stamping technology has been preserved almost intact. . Embossing is made on soaked leather on the underside using special wooden plates with a desired carved design. Leather is clamped between two wooden plates and left to air-dry naturally. The design used for decorating leather is similar to the one used for making carpets. The central field filled with khoshkhar muyiz (sheep horn pattern) and khos myuiz (a cross-piece made of paired sheep horns). For the border, usually a plant design is used. The leather can be decorated with shaped metal plates with silver inlay. Embossed leather can be used for decorating wooden chests (zhaghlan). Along with embossing, incrustation with colored leather (kok saur), velvet and gold embroidery on leather is used.Country : Kazakhstan
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Kara Zhorga - Kazakh folk danceKara Zhorga (kaz. 'Kara zhorga','black horse') - is the Kazakh folk dance, when a dancer performs an experienced rider, horseman, prancing on the pacer. Dance promotes horsemanship. Initially, it was considered male kind of dance. Gradually Kara Zhorga was danced by girls too. The Kazakh dance has reflected peculiarities of worldview and material culture of cattle-breeding nomads, embracing different aspects of labor, spiritual activity and way of life in the steppe. For the nation who poeticized everything within its environment any move could be the impetus for creating a dance element. A horseman that rode past at a gallop was compared with a darted arrow. A girl strolling slowly in the steppe was compared with a lonely grass-blade swinging in the wind, or a bird’s flight in the endless blue. The nature of Kazakh dances reflects the depth of a specific world-perception of the nation, which is spilled over into a certain style of performance and expressed in a particularly upright proud bearing of a performer, in certain positions and movements of her/his hands. Kara-Zhorga dance reproduces a picture of a traditional horse competition called bayga. "... The Maman village gathers for a feast (‘toy’). The young joyful horsemen step out from the crowd. The young men, bending their bodies slightly forward and swinging harshly with their whips, eagerly enter the competition. The horsemen, moving in circles, lines and diagonals, outrun each other, demonstrating the agility of a leap or an intricate hop. The imitation of horserace - rhythmically sharp-cut hops from one foot, big leaps with a curved body – have interspersed with dance technique. A sharp-cut, rough and springy folk tune of Kara-Zhorga dance and the movement which coincides with the horserace rhythm, successfully merge into a single image of bold horsemen (‘dzhigits’) who have equestrianism at their finger tips." (Sarynova, 1976: 37) “Kara-Zhorga is a dance that embodies a variety of nuances and technique. Kara Zhorga dance differs by nuances and technique of execution. It combines the 'militancy and buffoonery, softness and mobility, speed and peace' (A. Ismailov). The folk dance has various performance types: as 'a pair of zhorgas' ('qos zhorga') and 'male zhorga' ('erkek zhorga').Country : Kazakhstan
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Kazakh Kuresi – Traditional wrestling
2016
Kazakh Kuresi represents ancient form and style of Kazakh traditional wrestling, essential element of all festive events, celebrations and integral part of modern Kazakhstani national identity. Since ancient times, the beauty of this sports and strength of the hero-wrestlers “Baluans” have been reflected in folk epics, fairy legends, Kazakh literature like the poem of Iliyas Zhansugurov “Kulager” and Gabit Musrepov’s novel “Ulpan”, and archaeological findings. Wrestling of two opponents is performed on 12m.x 12m. sized mat. The opponents are matched according to their weight category ranging from 60 kg and above 90 kg. All techniques are performed above the waist – wrestlers must fight on foot, making it more difficult. Wrestling on the ground is prohibited. The purpose is to lay the opponent on shoulders. Duration of the match is 5 minutes with extra time of 3 minutes which is offered in case of even number of points. Evaluation of matches is counted by: a) “Buk” – if the opponent touches the mat with abdomen, knee or both knees; b) “Zhambas” is given for three “Buks” or when the opponent touches the mat with one side of pelvis or both; b) “Zhartylay zhenis” is awarded for the technique when the opponent touches the mat with both shoulders.Country : Kazakhstan -
Flatbread making and sharing culture: Katyrma
2016
The culture of flatbread making and sharing, represented in this nomination with the names Katyrma, is a set of traditional knowledge and rituals related to preparation and sharing of traditional thin bread that performs specific cultural and social functions within the related communities in Kazakhstan and is transmitted from generation to generation. Flatbread tradition is symbol of shared cultural identity and serves as expression of mutual respect among communities. Tradition bearers usually prepare the flatbread from unleavened or leavened dough based on flour, salt and water, while also adding sometimes milk, butter, sesame and poppy seeds. Communities use different types of crops to prepare the dough, such as wheat and rye. Some communities in Kazakhstan bake the flatbread by laying out rolled dough in big cauldrons (‘kazan’) heated on fire. As a result of this baking style, practitioners manage to maintain nutritious qualities of the flatbreads and store them for several months without refrigerator. Various methods, techniques, instruments and substances are used by flatbread-preparing practitioners.Country : Kazakhstan -
Kazakh traditional art of Dombra Kuy
2014
Traditional Kazakh dombra kuy (kaz 'kuy') - instrumental play performed on dombra - a traditional pear-shaped musical instrument with two strings and a long neck. The true meaning of kuy execution dates back to the sacred relationship with the Creator and the desire to establish the internal harmony of the individual. Kazakhs say 'Kuy - Tanyrdyn sybyry' ('Kuy - a whisper of Tengri'). Dombra had been hung on the wall of each nomad house (yurta) for the play before guests and home owners. The art of DombraKuy refers to a short solo composition performed on a traditional pear-shaped, long-necked, two-stringed, plucked musical instrument known as a dombra. The music aims to connect people to their historic roots and traditions through classical and improvised pieces that engage the audience at a spiritual and emotional level. Public engagement in the performance serves as one of the most important means of social communication between people and contributes to the transfer of knowledge and skills related to Kazakh culture. The music is usually accompanied by narrated stories and legends. It is traditionally performed at social gatherings, holidays and festive celebrations, amid a rich variety of food and musical entertainment. It serves as a vital social and cultural experience, strengthening people’s identity and promoting solidarity and mutual understanding in society. Aspiring and talented musicians are apprenticed to masters from the moment a child demonstrates an interest in the philosophy and virtuosity of traditional music and performance. Amateur musicians then apprentice themselves to other more experienced and talented performers from their region to increase their skills and repertoire.Country : Kazakhstan -
Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz and Kazakh yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings)
2014
Yurt production includes knowledge and skills in creating a portable dwelling traditionally used by Kazakh and Kyrgyz people. Yurt has a dismountable wooden circular frame covered with felt and braided with ropes. Yurts can be easily set up and dismantled within a short period of time. Yurts are basically characterized as easily transportable, compact, ecological and practical dwellings. Bearers of yurt-making traditional knowledge are craftspeople (men and women), producing yurts and yurts’ interior decorations. Men and their apprentices make yurts’ wooden frames, traditionally by hand using special devices and instruments. Men also make wooden, leather, bone and metal details for yurts and household items. Women make yurt coverings and interior decorations. As a rule, they work in community-based groups supervised by experienced skilled women-artisans. Women-artisans use weaving, spinning, braiding, felting, embroidering, sewing, winding and other traditional handicraft technologies. Women’s work- process is usually accompanied by their singing, joking, telling stories about famous masters of the past and treating traditional meals. Clans’ wise elders are also bearers. Knowledge and skills are transmitted through generations traditionally from masters to their apprentices (oral instructions, practical classes, joint production). The element is a great value and heritage received genetically or through learning, enriched by masters and transmitted to young generations. Joint production of yurts gives craftspeople the “one-family” feeling; the use of yurts by livestock-breeders as their dwellings in everyday life and by urban citizens as their summer-houses generates the feeling of continuity of ancestors’ traditions. Yurts are an obligatory part of all national festivities, traditional events and funeral-memorial rituals; yurts are kept in the family and transmitted from parents to their children as a sacred family relic ensuring ancestors’ protection. For Kyrgyz and Kazakh people the Yurt is not only a dwelling and the Universe model; but also a symbol of their national identity. Yurt’s top crown shanyrak and tyundyuk are depicted on the state symbols of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – coat of arms and flag. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Heads of State receive honourable guests in Yurt.Country : Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan -
Dembee, a finger guessing game with singingEnglish List shareDembee is a form of entertainment closely associated with the airag (mare’s fermented milk) culture of nomadic Mongols. Dembee is a type of a game to guess the total number of fingers of two people through its own established phrase of verses, rhyming and distinct melody. The tradition of dembeedekh is an example of how deeply the music is involved in the livelihood of Mongols.Country : Mongolia
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Nauryz Celebration
2024
Nauryz celebration is a traditional folk festival of the people which was originated and transmitted before the spread of Islam and other religions on the basis of worshipping nature, sun and spring. Today in Mongolia Kazakh ethnic people live and makeup about 4% of the total population. Most of Kazakh communities live in Bayan-Ulgii aimag, and some of them live in other areas, such as Khovd aimag, the Capital city of Ulaanbaatar, and Nalaikh district Darkhan, and Erdenet cities continue to celebrate Nauryz. Nauryz is a holiday of sacred deeds that symbolizes the natural relationship between man and nature, love of nature and all living things, respect for human beings, the spread of goodness, and the expulsion of badness. For the Kazakhs in Mongolia, Nauryz means "Birthday" of spring or "Glorious Day of the Kazakh people". It is because Nauryz vividly expresses and maintains the identity of Kazakh ethnicity and culture, and encourages unity, solidarity, peace, tolerance, friendship, and promotes human creativity and cultural diversity. They celebrate the entire month of March starting on the 22nd of March as the month of Nauryz. The preparation for Nauryz starts several days before the actual spring equinox. They clean and purify the house and surroundings, symbolizing that everyone has to welcome the holiday in a new and fresh form and state and prepare new clothes, special holiday drinks, and food. As a symbol of happiness and abundance in the coming year, the light 2 candles in the Ger (Yurt), fill all the utensils with yogurt, milk, or spring water, and cook Nauryz soup “Koje” with 7 special ingredients representing the seven symbols of life: water, dried meat, muttonheads salt, grains, yogurt, and flour. They have to settle their debts and disputes and forgive each other. Nauryz has long been a holiday of peace and friendship for the Kazakh people. During these days, quarreling, saying wrong words, or behaving badly is considered a heavy sin. People who quarrel and argue sit and eat at the same Nauryz Table, forgive each other, get rid of prejudices, and be kind to each other. People generously provide assistance to orphans, the poor and tired, and the disabled. Every family sets the holiday Table which is filled with all kinds of meat products, such as mutton heads, sausages, kazy, karta, cookies, pastries, fruits, sweets, nuts, and raisins, milk products, such as eezgii, aaruul, and urum. On the 22nd of March, Kazakh people in Mongolia get up early in the morning and greet the sunrise of a new year, refresh themselves and congratulate everyone they meet. After that, they sit at the table to celebrate the holiday at home. They congratulate each other, wish each other Nauryz blessings and praise, and give gifts to the elders and children. Greet their parents and give presents. During the celebration, everybody participates freely in various Nauryz games, national sports competitions, folk music, song and dance performances, etc. In the preparation and celebration of Nauryz, women play a significant role, especially in cleaning and decorating the house, making traditional Nauryz dishes, Nauryz Koje, and performing various rituals, dancing and singing, and so on. They involve their children in all the celebrating activities teaching them how to prepare and celebrate a Nauryz. Kazakh men actively participate in designing and organization related rituals and ceremonies executing the main function in traditional games, national sports competitions, playing folk music, and singing or reciting Nauryz praise, benediction, epics, and so on. All people including folklore actors, practitioners in oral traditions, singers, dancers, musicians, storytellers, players of traditional games and sports competitions, and market traders participate in the celebration and practice and transmit the Element. Nauryz by Nauryz they have been becoming more experienced bearers and practitioners.Country : Northeast Asia,Mongolia -
Mongol nomad migration and its associated practices
Mongolian nomadic culture is a way of life that is rooted in the interdependence between pastures, livestock and herders. To ensure the well-being of the livestock and the sustainability of the herders, proper pasture use is crucial. The families move between pastures, which are categorized based on factors such as amount of grass available, geography, climate and season. This approach has been passed down for generations as a means of giving the earth time to rejuvenate. The head of the household selects the date to relocate, and rituals are performed by all family members to prepare for the migration. This includes cleaning the area, disposing of waste, building carts, and preparing the animals. During the migration phase, the wife dresses in her finest clothes and leads the way to show her gratitude and respect for Mother Nature. Children start learning crucial skills for their nomadic lifestyle from a young age. This includes taking care of and selecting livestock, learning migration routes, and assembling and disassembling yurts. Every member of the family participates. The customs and routines of this nomadic culture facilitate communication and cultivate a strong sense of community amongst the herders. They also promote environmental stewardship, knowledge dissemination and peaceful coexistence.Country : Mongolia
