October 23, 2024

Nauryz Festival: the spring celebration of the Kazakh renewal

Kristin My

I organise custom trips and expeditions in Central Asia

Nauryz, which means "new day" in Persian, is much more than just a festival in Kazakhstan. It is a celebration that symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and harmony between man and nature.

Every year, on March 21, the country is adorned with vibrant colors and traditions dating back over 3,000 years to celebrate the arrival of spring and the new year.

The festival usually lasts several days, from March 21 to the end of the month, with celebrations peaking on the day of Nauryz itself.

Each region may add its own unique touch to the festivities, making each edition special.

The celebration of the Nauryz Festival

The rituals begin on the eve of March 21. In preparation for renewal, it is customary to pay off debts, forgive grievances, and leave behind all the troubles of the old year.

To enter the new year refreshed, Kazakhs also clean their homes before the holiday, getting rid of unnecessary items.

On Nauryz day, at dawn, the tradition in ancient times was for the entire population, the young and the old, armed with shovels, to gather by the village spring or ditch to clean it and then plant trees while greeting the sun.

At noon, the dastarkhan is set: the more generous the meal, the more prosperous the year will be.

Before and after the meal, prayers in honor of ancestors are recited.

Then come the entertainment, games, and competitions!

In the evening, people gather for the aitys of the akyns : popular poets compete to showcase their talents, and the festive day ends with a campfire.

The activities of the Nauryz Festival

Nauryz is also marked by a variety of festive activities, often spread over several days, during which younger generations are encouraged to participate, ensuring the transmission of this cultural heritage.

Traditional Sports Competitions: Wrestling, horseback riding, and horse racing competitions are organized to celebrate ancestral skills.
Folk Games: Games such as togyzkumalak (a traditional board game) and kyz kuu (a race between a man and a woman) are popular.
Altybakan Swings: To symbolize the passage from the "ordinary world" to the sky, Kazakhs set up swings called altybakan during spring celebrations. These swings served as meeting places for young people, allowing girls and boys to get to know each other and chat while swinging. It is customary to laugh, joke, and even sing while swinging.
Artistic Performances: Street artists, musicians, and dancers perform, showcasing Kazakh culture through music and dance.
Craft Workshops: Local artisan stalls offer visitors the opportunity to discover and purchase handmade products such as carpets, jewelry, and leather goods.
Purification Rituals: Traditional ceremonies are held to rid oneself of negative energies and welcome spring with optimism.

In the city, Nauryz is celebrated with more modern events including contemporary music concerts, sports competitions, and fireworks, while still remaining rooted in ancient traditions.

The culinary traditions of Nauryz

The traditional dish "nauryz-kozhe" is a must-have during the celebrations. Kazakhs believe it is essential to enjoy this dish to ensure a prosperous year ahead. This hearty soup, made from seven ingredients—meat, water, flour, oil, millet (which can be replaced by rice or corn), salt, and milk—symbolizes each of the seven principles of life: growth, luck, happiness, wealth, health, wisdom, and divine protection.

Nauryz is rich in symbolism, and the number seven holds particular significance. The seven ingredients of "nauryz-kozhe" are served in seven bowls, placed in front of the elders, or aksakals. Each person is expected to invite seven guests to their home and also visit seven households.

Beshbarmak, which means "five fingers" because it is traditionally eaten with the hands, is undoubtedly found on the table during important celebrations in Kazakhstan. This typical dish consists of boiled horse or mutton meat, served with flat noodles and a rich broth. Beshbarmak represents much more than just food: it is an experience steeped in tradition and etiquette. It is typically served family-style on a large platter, bringing everyone together around the table to share the meal, symbolizing unity and community spirit.
Baursaks are delicious, fluffy fried dough balls, a special symbol of hospitality. Kazakhs have always held bread in high esteem. Welcoming any traveler with bread and salt is an old Kazakh custom still practiced today: “Take bread and salt, speak the truth”, Kazakhs would say, while refraining from questioning the guest until they had quenched their thirst and hunger. Baursaks are typically served with tea, koumis, snacks, and soups. Today, they are often prepared with vegetable oil.
Koumis, the drink of nomads made from fermented mare or camel milk, is also widely consumed during this time. Known for its many health benefits, it was even used in the past to combat tuberculosis!

Food is an important part of Nauryz, which provides the perfect setting to taste its many dishes and variations, as each family holds its own ancestral recipe.

You can enjoy these dishes in a restaurant or café in the city, or visit an ethno-village, where you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the nomadic people, discovering both the specifics of daily life and traditional dishes. You can also reach out to a local tour operator, who can organize a dastarkhan for you in a yurt.

If you plan to visit Kazakhstan in the spring and want to make the most of all the festivities, feel free to contact me via Instagram or Whatsapp for advice or to help you organize your trip to discover the traditions. You can also email me (easternpathsdata@gmail.com) or sign up for a call if you have a travel project!