The Kazakh wedding ritual Betashar has been officially added
to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity. This traditional ceremony involves the introduction of the bride to
the groom’s family. Before the ritual, the bride’s face was not shown to
anyone, as it symbolized her rebirth after marriage. Other Kazakh traditions
recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage include Kymyzmuryndyk (the
preparation of the first spring kymyz), the craft of making Kazakh yurts, the
traditional games Assyk Atu and Togyzkumalak, playing the dombyra, the Nauryz
holiday, Kazakh Kuresi, Aitys, and others. UNESCO is currently reviewing a
nomination to include the underground mosques of Mangystau in the World
Heritage List.
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