Things you should know about a Kyrgyz wedding
Wedding rituals are part of the Kyrgyz culture, having a significant traditional component, which has absorbed many changes over the past decades. To this day, Kyrgyz weddings are accompanied by elements of ancient traditions, which, under the influence of time, are simplified and modified. Only the married couple and their families decide how the wedding will go. Sometimes the wedding is formal, when they decide to go to the registry office with close friends, sign and solemnly celebrate somewhere in the institution, but most often the wedding must be magnificent in the opinion of the older generation. Now we want to tell you about the most basic components of a Kyrgyz wedding nowadays.
Ayana Zholdoshbek
Joluguu
Joluguu is the very first stage of the parents' acquaintance, when the two sides discuss further plans for the wedding. Usually the meeting takes place in a neutral area, for example, somewhere in a restaurant. And according to tradition, it is the bride's parents who are invited to the joluguu.
Soyko-saluu
Soyko-saluu is a kind of matchmaking, when the groom's mother puts on gold earrings for her future daughter-in-law. During this event, it is important for the newlyweds to receive a blessing and kind words from representatives of the older generation.
Kyz Uzatuu
The daughter is officially moving to her husband's house, and before that they prepare her dowry, which is popularly called "kyzga sep". The more there are household appliances, furniture for the newlyweds' bedroom, clothes, toshoks (pillows, blankets), the richer the dowry is considered to be. Kyz uzatuu usually takes place in a restaurant and guests come relatives of the groom to pick up the bride, and the event itself is bright and with a show program. But there are also such things, kyz uzatuu held at home.
The groom also comes not empty-handed, but with gifts for the bride and of course the obligatory tradition is kalym. Kalym is a certain amount of money, which is considered as a bride price from her parents. The amount depends on how the parents agree and also on what region the girl is from.
Wedding
The bride lives from the moment of kyz uzatuu in the house of her husband. Now parents and relatives of the bride come to the wedding as guests. Guests give "koshumcha" to help the organizer partially cover the costs of holding the celebration, which sometimes reach millions of soms. Koshumcha is based on the principles of reciprocity - if today you bring five thousand soms to your relative, then he will also bring you at least five thousand when you arrange your toi.
Kyrgyz love lavish and luxurious weddings, where local artists and stars perform. It all depends on the personal preferences of the family, but it is definitely an event that people from other countries will be interested to see.
