Time to eat: 7 Kazakh words and phrases about food
What makes up a culture? Traditions, arts, social customs and… food! That’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Kazakh cuisine today blends various Central Asian dishes, but all were influenced by their nomadic past. For many centuries, Kazakhs raised herds of sheep, horses and even camels, which were the main source of food, transport and clothes.
The Kazakh nation is also famous for being very generous — they value guests and treat them to the best foods. Back in the nomadic days, tired travellers could drop by any yurt, and the host would always give them a place to rest and some food and even if they don’t have much to eat themselves. That’s the essence of Kazakh hospitality.
It’s no surprise then that many Kazakh words and sayings about food mention the acts of giving. In this post, I’d like to explore some of the most culturally-influenced words.
Auyz ti — Ауыз ти
This is one of the phrases that determine the kind-heartedness of the Kazakh nation. Whenever someone comes to a house, the host would say “Auyz ti” and offer something to eat. Literally, “touch your mouth” — the phrase suggests that you should have some food before you head out again. A piece of bread, a sweet, even some water would count — a guest must always have something to “touch their mouth” to show their respect for the host’s kindness.
Nan ursyn — Нан урсын
The literal meaning of this saying is “may the bread punish/beat me”. No matter how funny and violent (?) this saying sounds, it actually means that you’re being honest. The Central Asian culture heavily worships bread — it’s the first thing you start your meal with, it cannot be thrown away or left lying on the road. “When there’s no bread on the table, even food doesn’t look tasty”/“Дастарқанда наны жоқтың, тамағының сәні жоқ” — that’s how important bread is in Kazakh culture. That’s why “Nan ursyn” is such a powerful phrase — it essentially means that bread is here as a witness, and you’re telling the truth.
Kyzylsurau — Қызылсұрау
Literally, it translates to “asking for something red” and figuratively means you haven’t eaten red meat in a while and would like some. Red meat is the most consumed item in Kazakh cuisine, so if your friend says “Kyzylsurau”, rush to the kitchen and bring him some of the delicious Kazy (a horsemeat sausage).
Konak kelse qoi soi — Қонақ келсе қой сой
Not many people know but being a nomad was a pretty challenging task, especially if you lived in the cold steppes of Kazakhstan. Families struggled to raise livestock and many died during dzhut (the times of famine), so every animal in the cattle counted. This is why this phrase, which translates as “If a guest comes, prepare a sheep”, is so meaningful — it suggests that the tastiest food must always be preserved for guests as a symbol of respect and charity. It’s no wonder that many Kazakh customs involve inviting people to celebrate an occasion or to help others in need.
Shashu — Шашу
When a Kazakh kid hears the word “shashu”, they’ll get super excited. “Shashu” — meaning “to throw” — is a tradition in which people would throw candies and coins during celebrations. When I was younger, my granny would say that I must collect all sweets and money for good luck. It’s a fun tradition and a great chance to eat more sweets if you’re a kid.
Sarkyt — Саркыт
This is another exciting custom that you’d perform after large celebrations like weddings. When the feast ends, you’re supposed to take the remaining food with you, so that it’s not wasted. While being a good way to reduce waste, it’s also a nice treat that you can bring home for people who couldn’t attend the party. As a child, I was always excited to see what my parents brought in “sarkyt” because it usually included lots of candies and cakes (I loved sweets, as you can see).
Al endi ozimiz otyryp shai isheik — Ал енді өзіміз отырып, шай ішейік
This is my favorite phrase of all time! It brings me back to my childhood: it’s 10pm, we had guests over for an event, and a 14-year-old me had just finished helping my mom in the kitchen. She’d put the kettle on and say “Now, let’s sit and have some tea by ourselves”. It’d be the most delicious and well-deserved cup of tea, and we’d have some leftover treats with it.
Drinking tea is one of the most important customs in many Turkic cultures. It’s served at all events, and there’s a specific way to drink it: Kazakh people usually have it in small cups (piala’s) and fill a cup just half full. It helps tea remain hot and easier to hold when you drink it. But my granny says that we pour tea that way because a guest would have to ask for more refills and stay with us longer. I think just that little thing shows how much Kazakhs value their guests and how they show their love through food.
