Yesterday was the holiday of Nauryz. It is one of the most important days of the year for Kazakhs. I wanted to share what I have learned about this day with all of you… I found it very 
interesting.
There is a legend in Central Asia that every year during the night between the 21st and 22nd of March (the spring equinox), the wise elder Kadyr-Ata walks across the Earth. Kadyr-Ata brings people happiness and wealth, and he also possesses special magical powers. At three o’clock in the morning, Kadyr-Ata opens the door to the sky and lets Spring come to the world. At this time, he breathes life into the earth; in essence he renews the earth from its death-like winter state, and brings it back to spring.
When Kadyr-Ata breathes life into earth, he also signals the Light Spirit to return from
underground, where the spirit had been hiding from the cold of winter. In traditional Kazakh lore, the Light Spirit represents the sun and springtime. When the Light Spirit gets the signal from Kadyr- Ata, he returns to earth and fights the Dark Spirit, the symbol of the cold winter. The Light Spirit brings spring and new life to the Steppe, and makes the Dark Spirit run far, far away.
In ancient times, the Kazakhs were a nomadic people and the arrival of spring was a time for great celebration. Life was hard for nomads on the Kazakh steppes, and Nauryz marked the end of the difficult winter season and the beginning of spring renewal. Nauryz symbolized the birth of a new year's cycle of life.
The day is celebrated with family and friends, traditional foods, dancing and gift giving. The city is decorated with flower displays and lights. It is really very nice. The only bad part of the holiday for us, is that we are not allowed to visit at the babyhouse. We are also banned on Friday (inspection from the mayor). That makes the days really long and boring. The only good news is that Trish arrived here safely today!! I am so happy to have her here. If only her luggage made it here also… it is still in Germany. You can’t have everything! We will go to see Juliana tomorrow afternoon and get her luggage that is flying in tomorrow night. I officially have only 3 more days of visiting in the babyhouse and following their rules before I can take her out of there for good. I am looking forward to that day.
I hope everyone is well at home. I am getting close to the time that I can leave the country. I am very anxious for that to happen. I thank everyone for being on this journey with me.
Nauryz Kuttuh Bolsyn!
Have a happy Nauryz!
interesting.There is a legend in Central Asia that every year during the night between the 21st and 22nd of March (the spring equinox), the wise elder Kadyr-Ata walks across the Earth. Kadyr-Ata brings people happiness and wealth, and he also possesses special magical powers. At three o’clock in the morning, Kadyr-Ata opens the door to the sky and lets Spring come to the world. At this time, he breathes life into the earth; in essence he renews the earth from its death-like winter state, and brings it back to spring.
When Kadyr-Ata breathes life into earth, he also signals the Light Spirit to return from
underground, where the spirit had been hiding from the cold of winter. In traditional Kazakh lore, the Light Spirit represents the sun and springtime. When the Light Spirit gets the signal from Kadyr- Ata, he returns to earth and fights the Dark Spirit, the symbol of the cold winter. The Light Spirit brings spring and new life to the Steppe, and makes the Dark Spirit run far, far away.
In ancient times, the Kazakhs were a nomadic people and the arrival of spring was a time for great celebration. Life was hard for nomads on the Kazakh steppes, and Nauryz marked the end of the difficult winter season and the beginning of spring renewal. Nauryz symbolized the birth of a new year's cycle of life.
The day is celebrated with family and friends, traditional foods, dancing and gift giving. The city is decorated with flower displays and lights. It is really very nice. The only bad part of the holiday for us, is that we are not allowed to visit at the babyhouse. We are also banned on Friday (inspection from the mayor). That makes the days really long and boring. The only good news is that Trish arrived here safely today!! I am so happy to have her here. If only her luggage made it here also… it is still in Germany. You can’t have everything! We will go to see Juliana tomorrow afternoon and get her luggage that is flying in tomorrow night. I officially have only 3 more days of visiting in the babyhouse and following their rules before I can take her out of there for good. I am looking forward to that day.
I hope everyone is well at home. I am getting close to the time that I can leave the country. I am very anxious for that to happen. I thank everyone for being on this journey with me.
Nauryz Kuttuh Bolsyn!
Have a happy Nauryz!
2 comments:
Finally got around to checking out your blog after all these weeks. Juliana is a real gift! And of course she is the smartest, bravest, cutest - don't ever forget it! What a great story you have recorded for her. You are her eyes and ears and memory of her first home, before her forever home. Brings back memories and feelings from our trips to China. Enjoy your time with her now before you have to deal with the craziness of real life waiting on the other side of the world. Stay safe and have a good trip home.
I can't believe your journey is almost over! Juliana seems like such a happy baby. (I have such a hard time posting on this blog.) I will miss reading about your adventures when you do get home. Now is the Nauryz day include presents (I think every holiday should include presents where kids are concerned - Justin isn't spoiled!?)? Justin has been so facinated with your journey we had to look up Astana on the globe now I will get to tell him about Nauryz and he will want to add it to his list of holidays we need to celebrate. Has Juliana reached any new milestones, and how much does she weigh now? She is such a treat! She will be so blessed to have you as her Mommy! Happy Nauryz!
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