Қонысмай

Two words — “konysmai” and “konys toi”

“Konys” is a place of settlement, a camp. “Konysmai” is, as described, a celebration which Kazakhs held after arriving and settling in a new place, inviting the new neighbours: by the whole village, with songs, games and an exchange of news. The modern word is “konys toi”, a feast on the building or purchase of housing, a housewarming. In everyday use the words are not always clearly distinguished: “konysmai” sounds more archaic, “konys toi” more modern. The popular explanation “konys + mai” (“butter”) as “a place that brings luck” appears only in popular writing — treat it as a hypothesis, not a confirmed etymology.

Before the move: cleansing and farewell

Before departing from the old place it was cleansed with fire: fumigated with juniper (arsha) — the rite of “alastau”, so that illness and misfortune would not “cling” to the family. On leaving, as described, a farewell meal was cooked — “airylysar kozhe”, to part with a clean heart. So the move was neither flight nor a break but an honest “closing” of one stage of life and opening of another.

Yerulik — how new people were received

When a family came to the village, neighbours and relatives brought treats — “yerulik beru”: tea with flatbread, kumys, sometimes a sheep was slaughtered. The newcomers were asked about their origin and kin — so in the steppe, where a stranger might be both a relative and an enemy, trust was built and kinship “registered”. Material help might also be given to a young family. Yerulik is not the same as konysmai: yerulik is a treat for the arriving family, konysmai a celebration after settling in.

Bosaga mailau — butter on the threshold

A special rite of the housewarming is “bosaga mailau”. An elder (man or woman, “light on the road”, respected) who is first to come to congratulate takes butter with his fingers and smears both sides of the door post or the threshold, saying: “Bosagang mayly bolsyn!” — “May your threshold be buttery”, that is may the house be well fed and rich. Then he gives a bata, and the hosts respond with a “kade” — a gift of thanks. The rite is called a “forgotten tradition”: it is often recalled but less often performed.

The threshold, hearth and shanyrak

The bosaga is the boundary of the house, sacred: one does not step on the threshold, sit on it or cross it carelessly. The hearth fire is the heart of the dwelling: at settling in, as described, the first hearth is lit by a respected woman and butter is poured into the fire (“otka may kuyu”). In a yurt the shanyrak — the dome, a symbol of home and clan — is raised by a respected person. Thus every place in the house gets its “guardian” and blessing.

Wishes and gifts

Guests on entering wish: “Kutty konys bolsyn!” (“May the new place be blessed”), “Konys zhaily bolsyn!” (“May it be comfortable”). Those who enter “shashu” — scatter sweets and coins — with the wish “ishi zhanga, syrty malga tolsyn”: that inside the house be full of people and outside full of livestock. They bring household items — dishes, textiles — and, by tradition, “kade”. The table is laid abundantly. Both neighbours and the family have reason to remember Kazakh wisdom: “Alystagy againnan — zhakyndagy korshi artyk” (“A neighbour near is better than a relative far away”).

What has changed

Nomadism is a thing of the past, the dwelling has become fixed: the housewarming is now in a city flat or a private house. The “konys toi” is a gathering of relatives, neighbours and friends with a meal and gifts. Many ancient rites — fumigation with juniper, butter on the threshold — are either kept as a family custom or replaced by a symbolic gesture. The meaning remains the same: a new house should be hallowed by people, kind words and the warmth of the hearth.

Interesting facts

Glossary

Қоныс

A place of settlement, a camp.

Қонысмай

A traditional celebration after settling in a new place (as described).

Қоныс той

The modern toi on the occasion of a new home, a housewarming.

Ерулік

The treat neighbours bring to the arriving family.

Босаға

The posts of the yurt door; the threshold of the house as a sacred boundary.

Босаға майлау

The rite of smearing the threshold with butter with a wish for abundance.

Шаңырақ

The top circle of the yurt; a symbol of home and clan.

Аластау

Cleansing from evil with fire and smoke.

Арша

Juniper; its smoke is used for cleansing.

Кәде

A return gift of thanks.

Шашу

Scattering sweets and coins.

Құтты болсын

“May it be blessed” — a general wish.