Housing: the yurt

To go all the way to Kazakhstan and not stop into a Kazakh yurt – a snow-white dome nestling in the greenery of a jailau (summer pasture) – would mean missing an important aspect of Kazakh life. The yurt is one of the most ancient and greatest inventions of the Eurasian nomads. It is a convenient, practical dwelling, ideally suitable to the demands of nature and everyday life, and easy to pack up and take with you by horse or camel.

Known as “ A miniature vault of heaven above the steppe’’, the yurt consists of three main elements: a collapsible latticed base (kerege), dome-shaped poles (yuk), and a round top (shanyrak). The Kazakhs always pay attention to the ornament, as you can see from the decoration inside a yurt: carpets on the walls (tuskiiz), felt mats (tekemet), and embroidered colourful articles decorated with animal and plant motifs.

Vocabulary:

Dome – купол, свод

Nestle – уютно усаживаться

Jailau – джайляу

Dwelling – жилище

Vault – свод

Heaven – небеса

Collapsible – складной

Latticed – решетчатый

Pole – жердь, шест

Embroidered – вышитый

Article – предмет

Motif – лейтмотив

• Answer the questions:

1. What is the yurt?

2. Is it a convenient and practical dwelling?

3. Why is it convenient?

4. What does the yurt consist of?

• Complete the following sentences:

1. A Kazakh yurt is a snow-white…

2. The yurt is one of the most…

3. The yurt consists of three main elements:

Traditions and customs

Traditions and customs play a great role in the life of the Kazakh people. One of the best traditions of the past, which is supported and developed in our modern life, is hospitality. There are many rituals and ceremonies connected with hospitality. For example, the Kazakhs present a boiled sheep head to the most honourable guest. Hospitality is always followed by presents. Honourable guests are presented with a ‘shapan’, a national coat, with a cap and a white horse.

Another good tradition is respect to old people. This kind tradition is connected with other wonderful qualities and habits. So, according to this tradition, children are taught to be friendly and reserved, greet elderly people, make ways, and help them.

ASAR

“Asar” is the tradition of joint and gratis work. It is one of the most wonderful traditions of nomadic life. Aul (village) inhabitants gather together and do the work that is usually difficult for a sole family. Asar is organized by volunteers. This tradition is a reflection of spiritual richness, the unity of countrymen, the ambitions to help someone without compensation. That’s why Asar’s distinctive characteristic feature is working free of charge.

The only expenditure for hosts is to provide a great deal of food for the workers. Food and drinks must be in abundance. If the workers don’t manage the work in a day, they will gather again.

It was considered indecent not to come to an announced Asar. With the help of Asar, people often built houses, dwellings for those who needed them (like just married or retired people). Asar is a humane tradition, widely spread in the past. Nowadays this wonderful tradition needs developing.