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The Kazak nation, from generation to generation, from its earliest origins to the present day, is based on a special tradition that virtually describes its national existence -- the "way of the elders."

According to the ethno-territorial view, the Kazak people were divided into three parts, called the three "hundreds": "elder-hundred," "mid-hundred," and "younger-hundred." Their languages, traditions, religions, and most of their laws were the same. These laws came in several forms: "Ata-baba djoly," or the "way of the elders"; "Ereje," or rules; "Jarlyk," or announcements; "Turelyk," or ruling powers; and "Jurn-josyk," or the giving of advice. The general aim of these laws was to improve the lot of the Kazak people in all modes and aspects of life: electing a leader, entering into contracts, prohibiting marriage among blood relatives, providing for inheritance, preventing social disorder, eliminating thefts, providing for military discipline, and so on. All of these laws were based on a humanistic point of view, and had true democratic intentions, the foremost of which was to encourage honesty and fairness in dealing with one another.

The Kazak people have always had a deep appreciation for the meaning of words. That is why they have poured their history and destiny, their highs and lows, and their joys and sorrows into their words. For example, a Kazak proverb says, "Livestock is the favor of my soul, and my soul is the favor of my conscience." This proverb was not meant to diminish the importance of conscience; the Kazak people have never been particularly interested in riches or wealth. They accept each other as friends, and always serve their guests as if they were gods. The Kazak proverb, "We all are the guests in this life," expresses the traditional respect that the Kazak people have had for each other. These views have led to the development of a culture of gift-giving, which like a smooth mirror reflects the peacefulness and mutual respect of the Kazak people.

Law-breakers in traditional Kazak society were dealt with by the "Bees," or the leaders of small Kazak tribes. Many different kinds of arguments and hot disputes were settled honestly and openly before large crowds of people. The "Bees" were not mere politicians or lawyers; rather, the "Bee" had to know the entire history of the Kazak nation, and had to be a fine writer as well. Most "Bees" could capture the traditions and feelings of the Kazak people in a word or two. They based their rulings on a fair weighing of all relevant factors, and embellished their rulings with proverbs and aphorisms.

During the seventh and eighth centuries, Islam began to spread to all of the territories of Kazakstan. Many of the traditions and laws of the Kazak people were compatible with Islam, as they were often based on the same ultimate goals. For example, the Kazak people traditionally prayed only to their "Taingir," or lord-god. Once Islam spread to Kazakstan, "Allah" became the "Taingir," and the two religions were thus merged, thereby becoming stronger and enabling the laws and traditions of Islam to be absorbed easily by the Kazak people.

In the early days of the Kazak people, matters of family and marriage were of the utmost importance. The family was seen as the very foundation of the society -- if the family is strong, then the society will also be strong, and so will the rules and order of the society. Such a society would surely be peaceful and tranquil. That is why parents sought to arrange for the marriage of their sons and daughters, encouraged intermarriage among persons from different tribes, and discouraged marriage between blood relatives; if one married one's relative, societal peace and harmony would likely be disrupted.

The husband played the primary role in Kazak family life, and all responsibility for the family's well-being rested with him. There were three kinds of relatives -- the husband's own (in other words, his father's) relatives, his mother's relatives (which included brothers and sisters, as well as the mother's parents), and his wife's relatives. All helped each other and shared with each other the joys and sorrows of life.

Women also played an important role in their families. The Kazak people viewed women as mothers. Women were always free, and their husbands always consulted with them. Kazak women never worn "Paranja" (yashmak), as did the women in other Islamic countries in Asia. Kazak women traditionally enjoyed the same rights as Kazak men.

The Kazak people have long considered it their duty to arrange for the marriage of their sons and daughters. Marriage was not only the joining of a bride and groom in one family; it was the joining of different families in one "El," or society. That is why the Kazak people paid so much attention to marriage and weddings.

In Kazakstan, it is said that "Match-makers are for a thousand years, and sons-in-law are for a hundred years." This proverb means that the relationship between two tribes will last for ages. Kazak match-making has its own traditions, ways, and rules, which evolved over many centuries. And these rules are followed whenever two Kazaks marry.

Author : Kopabaev, Omrali, Director
Kunaev Institute for the Humanities (Kazakstan)