CULTURAL NORMS IN KAZAKSTAN

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 481.

Shildekhana

The Kazakh people are rich in traditions. One of them, the second celebration of new life, was called “Shildekhana”. This gathering included participation of many young people. All participants donned their best clothes and rode their horses to the event if they had one. Others rode their bulls, and sang songs. Elders came to give a “Bata”. Invited participants ate, had fun, and sang songs to the tune of the dombra – a traditional two-stringed instrument. Young people playing this instrument were expected to compose and improvise songs during their singing.

Ø Fill in the gaps:

1. The Kazakh people … rich in tradition.

2. All participants … their best clothes.

3. Other … songs.

4. Young people … … to compose and improvise songs during the singing.

Ø Put the verb into the correct form:

1. The second celebration was … Shildekhana. (call)

2. This gathering … participation of many young people. (include)

3. Others rode their bulls and … songs. (sing)

4. Elders … to give a “Bata”. (come)

Ø Answer the questions:

1. How was the second celebration of new life called?

2. How do the Kazakh people celebrate the birth of a baby?

3. Who gives a “Bata” to a child?

4. Do Kazakh people invite a lot of people to “Shildekhana”?

Ø Before reading:

1. Answer the question: What could the text be about?

2. Match the words in section A with the words in section B and explain their meaning:

Ø While reading:

1. Read the text and answer the questions about the text:

Cultural norms related to acceptable and unacceptable behavior vary between urban and rural Kazakhs. As a rule, rural Kazakhs tend to follow the cultural norms more strictly.

Kazakh men always shake hands with someone they know when they see each other for the first time in a day. Usually a younger man initiates this, and shows respect by extending both hands and shaking an older man's hand. Both Kazakhs and non-Kazakhs remove their shoes when inside a house. Guests always remove their shoes at the door and often put on a pair of slippers provided by the host or hostess. Central Asian streets often can be very dusty or muddy, so wearing shoes indoors is a serious social offense.

Greetings are also very structured in Kazakhstan. In Kazakh culture, elder women and men are greeted with certain phrases showing respect. Kazakhs can be superstitious, and whistling inside a house is unacceptable in almost all Kazakh homes. It is believed that whistling inside will make the owner of the house poor. Public affection between friends is very common. Women and girls often hold hands as they walk; boys wrestle and often hook arms or walk with their arms around each other. Kissing cheeks and embracing is perfectly acceptable between good friends.

Ø Answer the questions:

1. Do cultural norms related to acceptable and unacceptable behavior vary between urban and rural Kazakhs?

2. Do rural Kazakhs tend to follow the cultural norms more strictly?

3. What do Kazakh men always do with someone they know when they see each other for the first time in a day?

4. Guests always remove their shoes at the door, don't they?

5. Greetings are also very structured in Kazakhstan, aren't they?

6. What do younger people show when they greet elder ones?

7. When can Kazakhs be superstitious?

8. What can friends do?

Ø Work in groups:

1. Complete the table.

2. Discuss the cultural norms of greetings in Kazakhstan.