Abai kunanbaev

The great Kazakh poet, scientist and teacher Abai Kunanbaev was born on August 10, 1845 in the Chingis Mountains near Semipalatinsk, a region in the south-east of Kazakhstan. Abai got his primary education at home and then he studied for five years in a religious school. At school the poet became interested in reading oriental classical literature and started to learn the Russian language and culture. But he could not finish his training in town. His father brought him back to the country. He had to prepare for his future career as the chief of a big family.

When Abai was twenty eight he broke off his relations with his father. After that he devoted all the time to studying Russian classical literature and oriental poetic works. Abai began to write verses when he was twelve.

His personality was unique and unusual. Abai was not only a poet but also a musician, philosopher, scientist and a public figure. His literary heritage is great. It consists of different verses, poems, translations and talks. Abai became the first Kazakh poet who translated the works of Russian and European literature into the Kazakh language.

The main philosophical work of Abai is his "Book of Words ", which the poet had been writing for eight years. This book represents the analysis of the Kazakh society in the second half of the nineteenth century. In these words Abai touched many ethical problems. The "Book of Words" is full of faith and hope that hard times will stay behind and the Kazakhs will take a better place among other people.

In his poems Abai glorified the beauty of his native land, the diligence and wisdom of his people. He called for them to struggle for their rights and literacy for all. Abai's creative heritage also includes some musical pieces written by the poet to his own verses.

As the founder of Kazakh classical literature, Abai became a spiritual leader of his people. The books written by him are still in use nowadays.

YURT

A yurt was always an object of special cares for nomadic people. It is the most convenient and practical place for living adapted to climatic conditions and the specific way of life. A yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. A yurt is easily constructed and dismantled. It can be conveniently transported. It is waterproof in stormy weather. It keeps cool in hot weather and gives safe shelter from strong autumn winds. All this makes a yurt a unique sort of dwelling.

The Kazakh word used for yurt is "киіз үй" which means "felt house ". Traditionally yurts consist of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made of the wool of sheep. The frame consists of one or more lattice wall sections, a door frame, roof poles and a crown. Some styles of yurt have several columns to support the crown. The wooden frame is covered with pieces of felt. The wooden lattice crown of the yurt, shanyrak in the Kazakh language, is itself emblematic in many Central Asian cultures. In old Kazakh communities the yurt itself would often be repaired and rebuilt but the shanyrak would remain intact, passed from father to son after the father's death. A stylized version of the crown is in the center of the national emblem of Kazakhstan.

The form and internal furniture of the yurt varied depending on its functional purpose. The largest and most magnificent were the so called smart yurts. There are also special yurts for guests and made with peculiar elegance and grace are the dwellings of newlyweds (отау үй).

The yurt is divided inside into two halves. The northern part is thought to be the female and the southern part is the male.

There is a hearth in the centre of the yurt. The other important symbol in the yurt is a saddle.

NAURYZ

Nauryz or the "birth of spring" festival is the most long-awaited and joyful holiday for the Kazakh people. According to the Oriental calendar Nauryz is the first day of the new year. This day coincides with the day of the spring equinox when day and night become equal.

For the Kazakhs this holiday is a symbol of spring renewal, purification, celebration of love, fertility and beauty. In old times before the Nauryz coming people cleaned their houses and put everything in order. In honor of this holiday trees and flowers were planted. It is thought if Nauryz enters a tidy and clean house of a good master, all illnesses, failures and adversities will bypass it. Generous celebrating of this holiday will bring abundance and success in the house for the whole year. When the holiday comes the Kazakhs put on smart clothes, visit each other, exchange congratulations and wishes of well-being for the coming year. The program for the carnival includes different games, sport competitions, horse races and of course singing and dancing.

The main dish of this festival is nauryz kozhe. It must consist of seven components symbolizing seven chief elements of life. They symbolize love, pleasure, good luck, wisdom, health, well-being and divine protection. On this holiday everyone should visit seven houses and invite seven guests.

Various theatrical performances representing national traditions and rituals are held. They attract a lot of people and teach them to respect the culture and native land, to keep peace and to develop mutual understanding between various nationalities.