The State Hymn of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Words: Jumeken Najmedenov

Nursultan Nazarbaev

The golden sun of the sky,

Golden grain of the steppe,

Legend of courage –

It is my country!

In a gray-haired antiquity

Our glory was born.

My Kazakh people

are strong by Honour.

Refrain:

Oh, my people! Oh, my people!

I am your flower, created by you.

I am a song, flowing of you.

Kazakhstan – my native Land!

The road are open for new generation.

My land is wide open spaces

of the steppe

Our people are united by the world,

And we are independent.

We meet future time

As immortalized friend.

Our people are happy,

Our country prospers!

Refrain:

Oh, my people! Oh, my people!

I am your flower, created by you.

I am a song, flowing of you.

Kazakhstan – my native Land!

Nomadic people lived in what is now the country of Kazakhstan since ancient times. Turkish tribes began to settle in the region in the A.D.700s. During the 1200s Mongols from the east invaded the area and defeated the Turkish people. Many of the country’s people are descended from the Turkish and Mongol tribes. During the early 1700s Russians began migrating to the Kazakh region. In 1731, after suffering attacks from neighboring peoples, the Kazakhs accepted Russian rule for protection. Soon the Russians set up forts throughout the Kazakh region. The Russian government took control of vast areas of land and encouraged Russian and Ukrainian peasants to settle in the northern part of the country. Kazakhstan became a part of the Soviet Union. It declared its independence in December 1991.

The social life of the Kazakh people is centered around the family. Men and their children generally remain a part of their parents’ household. Married women become a part of the household of their husband’s family. The Kazakh people wear both western-style and traditional clothing. Some women still wear colorful handmade dresses. Most men are dressed in European style.

Common Kazakh food includes meat dishes and milk products, such as cheese and curts. Beshbarmak, thinly sliced meat and noodles boiled in broth, is a popular dish. Kumis, made from fermented mare’s milk, is a traditional drink. Tea is served at every meal. Though cooking styles vary from place to place, they are influenced by different groups of people living in a certain areas, and by the edible plants, domestic animals, fish and wildlife native to each region.

The Kazakh people enjoy folk songs and legends. They recite them for many occasions. At some events Kazakhs participate in s singing competition called an aitys. The recitation of epics is another important part of Kazakh culture. Ballet, theatre and classical music are also of great popularity.

Popular sports in Kazakhstan include volleyball, skating and wrestling. Kokparis traditional Kazakh game in which dozens of skilled horsemen try to carry the carcass of a goat or sheep across a goal.

Kazakh is the country’s state language. However, many Kazakhs speak Russian, especially urban people. Russian was the official language under Soviet rule. Under the 1995 Constitution, Russian is used on an equal basis with Kazakh in government documents.

All the people of Kazakhstan can red and write. The government requires children to attend school from the age of 6 to 17. It is mandatory according to the law. The schools use either Kazakh or Russian as the language of instruction. The country has about 55 schools of higher learning.

Newspapers are published in several languages. Nearly all cities have radio broadcasting stations. The national television station broadcasts from both Almaty and Astana.