Nauryz is a holiday of spring renewal in Kazakhstan. It originated in the peoples of the East long before the adoption of Islam, so devoid of religious rites and orientation. According to the Eastern calendar Nauryz-the beginning of the new year, coincides with the day of the vernal equinox.
For Kazakhs, this holiday is a symbol of spring renewal, celebration of love, fertility and friendship. In the old days before the arrival of Nauryz, people put their houses and farm in order, in honor of the holiday planted trees and flowers. It was believed that if Nauryz enters the house of a good host, diseases, failures, misery.
"Nauryz" means "birth of spring". This is the most important and ancient festival of Eastern peoples. Strictly speaking, it is a New Year according to the ancient Eastern calendar. It has another name, ULYS Kuna ("the first day of the New Year" ) or Ulystyn Ula Kuna ("the Great day of the people") . It is believed that a generous feast of Nauryz will bring the house abundance and success for the whole year. These beliefs explain the abundance of festive rituals and customs.
With the arrival of the holiday, Kazakhs dress in festive clothes, go to visit each other and exchange greetings and wishes of prosperity in the coming year.
Celebrations are accompanied by widespread fun, games, horse races and other amusements. The main ritual dish of this holiday is Nauryz-kozhe which shall consist of 7 ingredients symbolizing 7 elements of life: water, meat, salt, fat, flour, cereals (rice, corn or wheat) and milk. These ingredients symbolize joy, luck, wisdom, health, prosperity, speed, growth and divine protection.
When Kazakhs celebrate Nauryz, presence of the figure "7" is a must — it embodies 7 days of the week - time units of universal eternity: in front of the aksakal (white-bearded, old man) must be supplied with 7 bowls Nauryz-skin. Everyone should visit the 7 houses and invite 7 guests.
"Koktem Amplitude" ("birth of spring" ) — so Kazakhs congratulate each other on the streets, in parks, squares and stadiums with the holiday Nauryz. Thousands of people are watching sharp words competition of akyns, contests in national sports — kazakhsha kures, Toguz kumalak, horse racing (Kyz Kuu and bayga) . A variety of performances and theatrical scenes, representing national traditions and rituals, attract people and teach them to respect their culture and native land, to strive to preserve peace and mutual understanding between different nationalities of Kazakhstan.
Closer to the evening begins aitys — verbal contest akyns accompanied by dombra. It is open to men and women, the elderly and young. Debate continues until dawn. The winner is the one who better glorifies the Good!
In the midst of the holiday, the youth gather at the swings — altybakan. All sing songs, dance, have fun and play national games.
In Kazakhstan Nauryz was not celebrated nationally from 1926 to 1988. Since 2001 Nauryz has been declared a state holiday, and since 2009 it has been celebrated for 3 consecutive days since March 21. These three days in Kazakhstan are declared non-working.