The Khazakhs

         “Fine horses and fierce eagles are the wings of the Kazakhs’

The Kazakh, a Turkic people, are the second largest Muslim people group of Central Asia. In times past, they may have been the most influential of the various Central Asian ethnic groups. Most of the Kazakh now live in Kazakhstan. Large communities can also be found in Mongolia, Ukraine, and Russia.  

The Khazakhs food, Besbarmak.

A popular Kazakh food is besbarmak, which is eaten with your hands. It is made of noodles, potatoes, onions, and mutton. In the southern regions of Kazakhstan, they enjoy eating grapes, melons, and tomatoes. 

The Khazakhs traditional sports, Kokpar and eagle hunting.

 A favourite sport of Khazakhs tribe is “kokpar” which means "fighting for a goat's carcass". Furthermore, the ancient art of eagle hunting is one of many traditions and skills that the Kazakhs have been able to hold on to for the last decades.

Tha Khazakhs believes in shaman even they consider themselves Muslim.

The Kazakhs embraced Islam during the sixteenth century and still consider themselves Muslim today. However, recently their Islamic practices have been combined with traditional folk religions. In addition, traditional Kazakh folk religion includes beliefs in spirits. They practice “animism” which is the belief that non-human objects have spirits.  Today, the Kazakh continue to consult shamans priests, who cure the sick by magic, communicate with the spirits, and control events. 

One sure thing, the Kazakh people are rich in traditions. From birth through old age and death, every step of their lives has historically been marked with celebration. Even their funeral ceremonies have their own special symbolism.