One of the happiest moments in every family is celebration of first birthday of a baby. It is one of the most memorable and important celebrations in the lives of parents and the child. There are certain rules to follow while celebrating the first birthday and these customs are generally observed across the country, in every family. WE would like to tell you few more things about such customs and rituals prevalent in the heart of Eurasia.
Usually, people celebrate birthday in a restaurant or in café. Hosts invite as many guests as they want, and guests throng to the party with different presents. It is natural for guests to raise toasts and wish prosperity and happiness for baby, his parents and all family.
They also prepare toibastar — small gifts for guests. More often, it would be boxes with candies inside it which could be made in different shapes such as cradle, toy etc.
The first thing which comes to the mind of every Kazakhstani parent is not a great party, candies or café, but “Tusau kesu”. Tusau kesu, comes from Kazakh language and could be translated as “To cut the rope”, is actually a title for the 1st Birthday event. The idea of tusau kesu is connected with first baby steps, i.e. the party begins when a child makes or tries to make his first steps, and in most cases, they try to walk when they turn one-year-old.
In this celebration, people prepare “ala zhip” or two colored (black and white) ropes. These two colors symbolize good and bad, or right and wrong which a child can face with during his life period. And, according another theory, “ala zhip” symbolizes a blessing — “ala zhip attama” (“be always honest”).
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Source: @fotografesa_krg
After adults prepare ala zhip, they bind the baby’s legs in a special way — by making a “figure-of-eight”, and the oldest or the most respected and active person, chosen by hosts, walks or more like runs with a child on a white blanket — “ak zhol” (“bright way”). Ak zhol is a symbol of a nice and literally bright pure future which every parent wishes to his baby. But, before their walking on Ak zhol, elder person recites blessing words connected with Islam religion, and after the end of their walking, honored person cuts the string or rope.
It is believed that even if a baby can’t walk as good as he should in one year, after Tusau kesu, it would be much easier for him or her to start walking, and it is believed they start walking faster.
During tusau kesu, the oldest woman makes shahu, i.e. she throws candies and coins to guests.
Tusau kesu celebration is connected with the worship of the God Tengri (Sky) and a heritage left by our ethnic ancestors. This event is held not only by Kazakhs but by Kirgiz, Khakaz and other nationalities too.
People used to divide the world into three parts: underworld, earth and heaven. Ancestors believed that a child came from the underworld, and as the connection to this world is very strong, the child is unlikely to have enough power to free from it. Therefore, a strong person is chosen to help the baby. The strength is not only about physical but also mental. During Tusau kesu, this physically and mentally strong, respected and well-educated person with years of world experience cuts the last tie with underworld and makes the baby free.
Another thing which every guest and hosts like in this celebration is when a child chooses a special thing or item lying next to it. Tamada or a toastmaster puts a book, kamshy (whip), money, mirror, and pen on the ground and the baby gets an opportunity to choose one thing among it. It is believed that his choice is going to shape his character in the future. But this custom interestingly, came from Korean culture.
One of the happiest moments in every family is celebration of first birthday of a baby. It is one of the most memorable and important celebrations in the lives of parents and the child. There are certain rules to follow while celebrating the first birthday and these customs are generally observed across the country, in every family. WE would like to tell you few more things about such customs and rituals prevalent in the heart of Eurasia.
Usually, people celebrate birthday in a restaurant or in café. Hosts invite as many guests as they want, and guests throng to the party with different presents. It is natural for guests to raise toasts and wish prosperity and happiness for baby, his parents and all family.
They also prepare toibastar — small gifts for guests. More often, it would be boxes with candies inside it which could be made in different shapes such as cradle, toy etc.
The first thing which comes to the mind of every Kazakhstani parent is not a great party, candies or café, but “Tusau kesu”. Tusau kesu, comes from Kazakh language and could be translated as “To cut the rope”, is actually a title for the 1st Birthday event. The idea of tusau kesu is connected with first baby steps, i.e. the party begins when a child makes or tries to make his first steps, and in most cases, they try to walk when they turn one-year-old.
In this celebration, people prepare “ala zhip” or two colored (black and white) ropes. These two colors symbolize good and bad, or right and wrong which a child can face with during his life period. And, according another theory, “ala zhip” symbolizes a blessing — “ala zhip attama” (“be always honest”).
Source: @fotografesa_krg
After adults prepare ala zhip, they bind the baby’s legs in a special way — by making a “figure-of-eight”, and the oldest or the most respected and active person, chosen by hosts, walks or more like runs with a child on a white blanket — “ak zhol” (“bright way”). Ak zhol is a symbol of a nice and literally bright pure future which every parent wishes to his baby. But, before their walking on Ak zhol, elder person recites blessing words connected with Islam religion, and after the end of their walking, honored person cuts the string or rope.
It is believed that even if a baby can’t walk as good as he should in one year, after Tusau kesu, it would be much easier for him or her to start walking, and it is believed they start walking faster.
During tusau kesu, the oldest woman makes shahu, i.e. she throws candies and coins to guests.
Tusau kesu celebration is connected with the worship of the God Tengri (Sky) and a heritage left by our ethnic ancestors. This event is held not only by Kazakhs but by Kirgiz, Khakaz and other nationalities too.
People used to divide the world into three parts: underworld, earth and heaven. Ancestors believed that a child came from the underworld, and as the connection to this world is very strong, the child is unlikely to have enough power to free from it. Therefore, a strong person is chosen to help the baby. The strength is not only about physical but also mental. During Tusau kesu, this physically and mentally strong, respected and well-educated person with years of world experience cuts the last tie with underworld and makes the baby free.
Another thing which every guest and hosts like in this celebration is when a child chooses a special thing or item lying next to it. Tamada or a toastmaster puts a book, kamshy (whip), money, mirror, and pen on the ground and the baby gets an opportunity to choose one thing among it. It is believed that his choice is going to shape his character in the future. But this custom interestingly, came from Korean culture.
