THE SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE AND RITUAL STRUCTURE OF WEDDINGS IN CONTEMPORARY KAZAKH SOCIETY: CONTINUITY AND TRANSFORMATION OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Among the most significant issues that occupy a central place in Kazakh society are various types of celebrations, including wedding ceremonies. It is well known that in past centuries weddings were based on Kazakh traditions and customs. However, over time, as social development progressed, these practices naturally changed.

The purpose of the study is a comprehensive disclosure of the cause-and-effect relationships that led to the transformation of the traditional wedding ceremony, as well as the identification of the main directions of its changes. The article analyses the processes of preservation and transformation of traditional institutions (matchmaking, kädе, oath-taking, blessings, betashar, etc.) in relation to the social significance and ritual structure of the contemporary Kazakh wedding. Through this analysis, the differences and specific features of wedding practices in the past and present are identified. The presented study examines the distinctive traditions that have developed over centuries in different regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, within historical-comparative and structural-functional frameworks. Particular attention is given to the transformations of the Soviet period and the years of independence, along with their causes and consequences. The influence of urbanization, media, and religious factors on modern wedding ceremonies is substantiated. The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of such traditional institutions as matchmaking, kalym (bride price), blessings, and betashar, tracing their evolution from ancient rituals to contemporary wedding practices in marriage palaces and mosques.

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