Some of our customs are widely used by the people, some remain forgotten. We have traditions that young people don‘t know about. The traditions and customs inherited from our ancestors have always been used for good purposes. Therefore, it is worth knowing them, and sometimes realizing them in life. In this regard, the staff of the Museum of Local Lore, together with the Aigolek kindergarten, conducted a demonstration of the Besikke Salu ceremony Besikke salu is a traditional Kazakh rite associated with the birth of a child. This solemn event is arranged when the baby is placed for the first time in a “Besik“ rocking cradle. Kazakhs consider Besik to be the golden nest of a baby, and the Besikke salu ceremony is one of the most significant and revered. Guests are invited, and a festive dastarkhan is served, so the Besikke salu ceremony is also called Besik toi. A beautiful cradle, beautiful new blankets, pillows, feather beds, ribbons and ties — all this looks very attractive and elegant. According to custom, the “Besik“ is prepared for the child and brought by the grandmother, on the mother‘s side. For the first time, an exemplary, experienced, and highly respected grandmother or woman is assigned to put a child in the cradle. Putting a baby in a “Besik“ for the first time is very honorable. According to Kazakh belief, “Besik“ is first fumigated with smoke, expelling evil spirits, then an interesting ritual is performed — “Tyshtyrma“. To do this, through the hole for the pot in the bottom of the cradle, sweets, kurt, sweets are passed, saying: “Tyshty! Tyshty!“. This belief means that a born child will bring prosperity and wealth to the home. The guests try to catch sweets and distribute them to the children. After that, the child is swaddled in “Besik“ and the lullaby “Besik zhyry“ is sung.
To get acquainted with the ceremony, follow the link: https://youtu.be/OR5Ga-kXIw8
Enjoy watching it!
