top of page

Customs and Traditions

Eastern hospitality

The main feature of Central Asia families is hospitality and traditional respect to elders. People usually live in big families consisting of several generations; therefore the preference is given to large houses. A significant place in life as a part of hospitality is given to tea-drinking ceremony. Moreover tea-making and serving is an exclusive prerogative of the host. It is appropriate to accept invitations and be on time. Going to visit it is desirable to take some souvenirs or sweets for children. Hand shaking is only between men. Women and persons siting at the background are usually greeted by putting a right hand to own heart and a slight head inclination. During a handshaking it is usual to ask about health, business and home. In rural areas women as a rule do not share a table win men not to interfere their conversations. It is not accepted to admire a beauty of women and to pay them attention. Upon entering the premises shoes are taken off. It is necessary to take the place that is appointed by the owner. Moreover, the farther it is from the entrance, the more honorable it. Hospitality is appreciated even more than family income and its origin. All guests, especially foreigners, enjoy the greatest respect for the hosts and are welcomed by all members of the family. Every meal begins and ends with plenty of tea. Tea is served by the master only. The less is poured in a cup the more honorable the guest is.

Cuisine Central Asia

Birth of a child

Birth of a child is a most joyful and long-waited event in the history of every family. The child is a symbol of procreation and immortality of the nation. Rituals associated with a childbirth occupy a special place in Asian family. These rituals are considered essential to protect a mother and her child from the effects of evil forces, predetermination of child's fate. It is also considered as introducing of a new family member to relatives and partly to a wider community. In addition these ceremonies express feelings of joy and hope due to advent of a new family member. Most children in Central Asian families are grown with a principle of "God until 6, Slave until 16, Friend afterwards".

Children Kyrgyzstan

Childbirth is considered to be the most important and joyful event in the life of a family and entire clan. A child is blessed for long and happy life by gray-bearded elders, experienced and respected elderly women. A child is successor of family, their traditions and a symbol of immortality. That is why even before the birth of a child a pregnant woman is strongly guarded against heavy housework, she is prohibited to leave limits of a household unaccompanied, various spiritual actions are undertaken to protect against impure forces and evil spirits. To protect herself, a pregnant women usually wears various amulets: “tumar” – leather triangles with hard-wired saying from the Koran, “auya tyrmagi” – amulet made of bear’s claw, “ukunun tyrmagi” – owl’s paw and other. Amulets are usually worn on the left side of the chest by the shoulder. A fireplace was flaming day and night to protect a yurt against evil spirits during childbirth. A knife edged to the doorway was placed by fire. A loaded gun was placed at yurt’s frame. These items were believed to scare away evil spirits and malicious forces.


Traditionally the first food of a newborn was melted butter – “sary mai”, then a child was put in in his first shirt “it koinok” (dog’s shirt). It was made of scraps of white fabric taken form elder’s linen or respected mother pf many children. This shirt is sometimes put on dog (over torso) and then on a child. All these actions are associated with “yirym” – to live a long and prosperous life, to be healthy and hardy. A number of rituals exists celebrate a childbirth. “Suyunchu” – a kind of alert, in order to get a gift for the message of childbirth; “krunduk” – gifts for a right to see a newborn for the first time; “djentek” or “beshik toy” – fest in honor childbirth; “at koyuu” – important child naming procedure is never conducted by a woman. This mission was delegated to a respected man – “azanchi”.

Comments


Sary-Jaz, Enilchek, tours to Kyrgyzstan
Yurts at son-kul lake
petroglyphs of kyrgyzstan
mels pass, tash-rabat, baetovo
Kel-Suu Lake, Kyrgyzstan
Kokshaal-too, Kyrgyzstan
Horses of Central Asia
offraod adventures in Kyrgyzstan
karakol, tours to Kyrgyzstan
jergalan, tours to Kyrgyzstan
Fann mountains, tours to Tajikistan
Kalai-Khumb, tours to Tajikistan
Hisor Fortress, tours to Tajikistan
Penjikent Bazaar, tours to Tajikistan
murgab, pamir highway, tours to Tajikistan
yamg, pamir highway, tours to Tajikistan
Kyzyl-Art Pass, pamir highway, tours to Tajikistan
Fann mountains, tours to Tajikistan
Ak-Baital Pass, pamir highway, tours to Tajikistan
Khujand, tours to Tajikistan
Dushanbe, tours to Tajikistan
zenkow-cathedral, almaty, tours to Tajikistan
nomads at son-kul lake, tours to Kyrgyzstan
Tamgaly-Tash petroglyphs, tours to Kazakhstan
osh, tours to Kyrgyzstan
moldo ashuu pass tours to Kyrgyzstan
kok-tebe, almaty, tours to Kazakhstan
kochkor, tours to Kyrgyzstan
issyk-kul lake, tours to Kyrgyzstan
arslanbob, tours to Kyrgyzstan
dungan, mosque, karakol, tours to Kyrgyzstan
felt handicrafts, tours to Kyrgyzstan
chon-kemin national park, tours to Kyrgyzstan
yurt erection, tours to Kyrgyzstan
uzbek dance, tours to Uzbekistan
Kyrgyz handicrafts
shyrdaks in kyrgyzstan
samarkand tours to Uzbekistan
jalal-abad tours to Kyrgyzstan
kyrgyz women, kyrgyz costumes
horses at son-kul lake, tours to Kyrgyzstan
Bukhara handicrafts, tours to Uzbekistan
Ceramic production, tours to Uzbekistan
Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre tashkent
Markets in Uzbekistan
Almaty, tours to Kazakhstan
Jeti-Oguz Gorge, tours to Kyrgyzstan
Karakol tours to Kyrgyzstan
Tash-Rabat caravanserai, Kyrgyzstan
Discover Central Asia Tours
Discover Central Asia Tours (DCAT)
Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, 10 md 20/1
Tel (mobile): +996 772 503771
Tel (office): +996 312 514525
tours [@] central-asia.com
  • Whatsapp
  • Белый Иконка YouTube
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Instagram Icon

© Discover Central Asia Tours (DCAT)

Your Reliable Travel Partner along the Great Silk Road

bottom of page