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{{Culture of Kazakhstan}}
[[File:Almaty - Kazakhstan.jpg|thumb|[[Kazakh cuisine|Kazakh food]] preparation began to develop in the 13th century]]
[[File:Star Kazak.jpg|thumb|This 19th-century '''Star Kazak''' carpet sold for US$188,000 in 1999]]

'''[[Kazakhstan]]''' has a well-articulated [[culture]] based on the [[Nomad|nomadic]] pastoral economy of the inhabitants. [[Islam]] was introduced to Kazakhstan in the 7th to 12th centuries. Besides [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]], many other traditional foods retain symbolic value in Kazakh culture. Kazakh culture is largely influenced by the Turkic [[Nomad|nomadic]] lifestyle. 

Because [[animal husbandry]] was central to the Kazakhs' traditional lifestyle, most of their nomadic practices and customs relate in some way to [[livestock]]. Traditional curses and blessings invoked disease or [[fecundity]] among animals, and good manners required that a person ask first about the health of a man's livestock when greeting him and only afterward inquire about the human aspects of his life.

The traditional Kazakh dwelling is the ''[[yurt]]'', a tent consisting of a flexible framework of willow wood covered with varying thicknesses of [[felt]]. The open top permits smoke from the central [[hearth]] to escape; temperature and draft can be controlled by a flap that increases or decreases the size of the opening. A properly constructed yurt can be cooled in summer and warmed in winter, and it can be disassembled or set up in less than an hour. The interior of the yurt has [[ritual]] significance; the right side is generally reserved for men and the left for women. Yurts are also frequently used as a decorative motif in restaurants and other public buildings.

==Modern Influences==
Today's [[Kazakhstan]] is a modern culture, thriving in the post-Soviet era. The traditional Kazakh lifestyle has blended with influences from Western societies, as well as those from Kazakhstan's Russian and Chinese neighbors.

==Religion==
{{Main|Religion in Kazakhstan}}


[[Islam]] is the largest religion in Kazakhstan, followed by [[Russian Orthodox]] [[Christianity]]. By tradition the [[Kazakhs]] are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]], and the [[Russians]] are Russian Orthodox. Approximately 70% of the population is [[Muslim]].<ref name="USCOIRFk2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127366.htm|title=Kazakhstan|work=[[United States Commission on International Religious Freedom]]|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|date=2009-10-26|accessdate=2010-06-03}}</ref> The majority are Sunni of the [[Hanafi]] school, including ethnic Kazakhs, who constitute about 60% of the population, as well as by ethnic [[Uzbeks]], [[Uighurs]], and [[Tatars]].<ref name=usstate >[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108501.htm Kazakhstan - International Religious Freedom Report 2008] U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 2009-09-07.</ref> Less than 25% of the population is Russian Orthodox, including ethnic [[Russians]], [[Ukrainians]], and [[Belarusians]].<ref name="USCOIRFk2009" /> Other religious groups include [[Judaism]], the [[Bahá'í Faith]], [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishnas]], [[Buddhism]], and [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref name=usstate/>

==Cuisine==
{{Main|Kazakh cuisine}}
[[File:Horsemeat platter.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A platter of [[horse meat]] served traditionally as an appetizer.]]

Traditional Kazakh cuisine revolves around [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]] and [[horse meat]], as well as a variety of dairy [[Dairy product|milk products]]. For hundreds of years, Kazakhs were herders who raised [[fat-tailed sheep]], [[Bactrian camel]]s, and [[horse]]s, relying on these animals for transportation, clothing, and food. The cooking techniques and major ingredients have been strongly influenced by the nation's nomadic way of life. For example, most cooking techniques are aimed at long-term [[preservation of food]]. There is a large practice of salting and drying [[meat]] so that it will last, and there is a preference for [[sour milk]], as it is easier to save in a nomadic lifestyle. 

''[[Besbarmak]]'', a dish consisting of boiled horse or lamb meat, is the most popular Kazakh dish. Besbarmak is usually eaten with a boiled [[pasta]] sheet, and a meat broth called ''[[shorpa]]'', and is traditionally served in Kazakh bowls called ''[[kese]]''. Other popular meat dishes are ''[[kazy]]'' (which is a horse meat sausage that only the wealthy could afford), ''[[shuzhuk]]'' (horse meat sausages), ''[[kuyrdak]]'' (also spelled ''kuirdak'', a dish made from roasted horse, [[sheep]], or [[cow]] [[offal]], such as heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs, diced and served with [[onions]] and [[Bell pepper|peppers]]), and various horse delicacies, such as ''[[zhal]]'' (smoked [[lard]] from horse's neck) and ''zhaya'' (salted and smoked meat from horse's hip and hind leg). [[Pilaf]] (''palaw'') is the most common Kazakh [[rice]] dish, with [[vegetables]] ([[carrot]]s, onions, and/or [[garlic]]) and chunks of meat. The national drinks are ''[[kumys]]'' (fermented [[mare]]'s milk) and [[tea]].

==Languages==
{{Expand section|date=February 2012}}
{{Main|Kazakh language|Languages of Kazakhstan}}
The main language spoken in Kazakhstan is [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]], a [[Turkic languages|Turkic language]] closely related to [[Nogai language|Nogai]] and [[Karakalpak language|Karakalpak]]. Other languages spoken in Kazakhstan include [[Russian language|Russian]], which is using as official in Kazakhstan.

==Literature==
{{expand section|date=August 2014}} 
{{Main|Kazakh literature}}
[[File:AbaiPainting.jpg|thumbnail|Abay Qunanbayuli lived from August 10, 1845 to July 6, 1904]]
[[Abay Qunanbayuli]] was a great Kazakh poet, composer and philosopher.

== Art ==
Each year Kazakh artisans participate in the “Sheber” competition. The competition is part of the program "Development of crafts and the revival of folk arts and crafts in Kazakhstan", which began in 2006 to increase the competitiveness of Kazakh artisans’ products domestically and internationally. This program is conducted by the Union of Artisans of Kazakhstan, “Chevron,” the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia, Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information and the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty.<ref name=Sheber>{{cite news|title=New craft works of Kazakh artisans submitted for Sheber crafts contest|url=http://kazinform.kz/eng/article/2664651|agency=KazInform}}</ref>

==Movies==
{{Main|Cinema of Kazakhstan}}

In September 2006, the government announced that it is funding distribution of a multimillion-dollar movie called "[[Nomad (2006 film)|Nomad]]", about the new-created by Kazakhstan government history of the nation. The movie started in 2003, and has been plagued with multiple development problems, finally released in 2006.

Since that time such movies like "Mongol", "Tulpan", and "Kelin" have been released. All three films were submitted for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Languages Film.<ref>Wikipedia pages [[List of Kazakhstani submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]]</ref> The movie 'Tulpan' won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>Wikipedia pages [[Tulpan]]</ref> The speechless movie "Kelin" made the shortlist of the 82.Academy Awards.

==Music==
{{Main|Music of Kazakhstan}}

===Magic Songs of the Eternal Steppe===
Magic Songs of the Eternal Steppe is a series of concerts at [[Carnegie Hall]]<ref name=CH>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan in America Magic Songs of the Eternal Steppe|url=http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2014/6/30/0800/PM/Kazakhstan-in-America-Magic-Songs-of-the-Eternal-Steppe/|publisher=Carnegie Hall}}</ref> and [[The Kennedy Center]] in celebration of Kazakhstan Cultural Days in the United States.<ref name=kencen>{{cite web|title=Kazakh American Association presents: Magic Songs of the Eternal Steppe|url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=ROXCE|publisher=The Kennedy Center}}</ref> The concerts feature Kazakh folk music and Western classic masterpieces as well as American songs performed by the Kazakh National Kurmangazy Orchestra of Folk Instruments, Kazakh National Baikadamov Choir and a group of  Kazakh soloists. 

===The Symphony Orchestra of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory===
Symphony Orchestra of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory was founded in 1947. The first leader of the orchestra was Professor K. Babayev. The Orchestra has a vast repertoire spanning Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Lizst, Saint-Saens, Bizet, Ravel, Frank, Mahler, Orf, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Musorgsky, Shostakovich, and many others.<ref name=KzOrchestra>{{cite web|title=Symphony Orchestra of Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory|url=http://www.maestroartist.com/event-details-43-date-124.aspx|website=maestroartist.com}}</ref>

==Sports==
{{Main|Sport in Kazakhstan}}
[[File:Catchthegirl.JPG|right|thumb|200px|[[Horse riding|Horse riders]] in traditional dress demonstrate Kazakhstan's [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] culture by playing a [[kissing]] game, ''[[Kyz Kuu]]'' ("Chase the Girl"), one of a number of traditional games played on horseback.<ref>[http://www.internationalspecialreports.com/ciscentralasia/99/kazakhstan/9.html The Customs and Traditions of the Kazakh By Betsy Wagenhauser]</ref>]]

Kazakhstan has cultivated a strong interest in [[sports]], [[physical education]], and [[extracurricular activities]]. Kazakhstan has achieved some success in international competitions in [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]], [[ice hockey]], and [[boxing]]. Kazakhstan won eight medals in the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], the largest tally for any nation in Central Asia.

[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Kazakhstan. The [[Football Federation of Kazakhstan]] (FFK) is the sport's national governing body. The FFK organises the [[Kazakhstan national football team|men's]], [[Kazakhstan women's national football team|women's]], and [[futsal]] national teams. The [[Kazakhstan Super League]] is the top-level competition for the sport in the country.

[[Cycling]] is Kazakhstan's most successful sport. A lot of professional cyclists that compete on the European circuit come from Kazakhstan. Most notable is [[Alexander Vinokourov]], whose achievements include two [[Paris–Nice]]'s, third place in the [[2003 Tour de France]], and the [[Amstel Gold Race]]. Vinokourov leads {{Ct|AST}} which is supported by a coalition of Kazakh companies. This team is registered as a [[UCI ProTeam]] and competes in major races, including the [[Tour de France]].

[[Rugby union]] is a popular sport in Kazakhstan, with over 10,000 fans consistently turning up to watch the [[Kazakhstan national rugby union team]] play. Recent big wins over [[Sri Lanka national rugby union team|Sri Lanka]] and the [[Arabian Gulf national rugby union team|Arabian Gulf Rugby Team]] have given the Kazakhstan side the reason to believe that they could have been contenders to qualify for the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]]. Kazakhstan has yet to qualify for the [[Rugby World Cup]] tournament.

==See also== 
* [[History of Kazakhstan]]
* [[Kazakh clothing]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{loc}} - [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/kztoc.html#kz0031 Kazakhstan]
* Bruce Privratsky, ''Muslim Turkistan'', pages 76–77

== External links ==
* [http://www.kazakhembus.com/History.html Embassy link for further culture questions]
* [http://www.suhbat.com/ Message Board in Kazakh Language]
* [http://www.musagetes.kz/eng/index.php The Musagetes Civic Charitable Foundation for Culture and Humanitarian Sciences Development]
* [http://www.bukhara-carpets.com/kazakh-soul.html Kazakhstan: history, geography, people, culture, traditions, holiday, living, life]

{{Kazakhstan topics}}
{{Culture of Asia}}
{{Culture of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Culture Of Kazakhstan}}
[[Category:Kazakhstani culture| ]]

[[pt:Cazaquistão#Cultura]]