Kazakh People’s Meeting with New Life, New Year and New Day: Amal (Körisüw) Feast

Abstract

In this study, the Amal (Körisüw) Feast, which is celebrated by nomadic Kazakh people as meeting with each other with the happiness of their coming out of winter, is discussed. This feast, which is considered to be the beginning of the new year, is celebrated on the 14th of March. Amal is celebrated especially in the western regions of Kazakhstan, while today it has started to be celebrated in the whole of Kazakhstan at the national level. According to the old Baibaqty Qazybek folk calendar, the first day of Nawryz coincides with the 14th of March in the contemporary calendar. Even if the Nawryz and Amal feasts were the same at the beginning, today with the different characteristics, these two feasts differ from each other. This distinction is not just about date difference. Unique rituals have been formed and stereotyped for both feasts. It is seen that the Amal (Körisüw) Feast has four basic functions: unifying, refreshing, educative and relaxing. The aim of the study is to examine and reveal the origins, celebration traditions and functions of Amal feast, based on oral and written sources. In this study, literature review and compilation methods with directed interview technique are applied. It is seen that more attention is paid to the projects and traditions that will provide a spiritual awakening in the years after independence in Kazakhstan. For this reason, Amal Feast, which looks like a local feast, has been raised to the national level and become more recognized. It has been reported that Nawryz feast events will be celebrated for nine days, each with its own content and name. Accordingly, the Nawryz Feast in Kazakhstan will begin with Amal (Körisüw) on the 14th of March.