Тұсау кесу

The first steps — a celebration

Tusau kesu is a rite held when a child begins to walk (“tai-tai basyp”). “Tusau” means the hobbles that fetter a horse (“tusauly at”), and “kesu” means to cut; “tusaukeser” is both the rite itself and the gift given for it. The idea of the rite is simple and beautiful: to symbolically free the little one’s feet so that the step is light and the path through life free. The child is compared here to a foal being let out to freedom for the first time.

The thread — ala zhip

The hobbles are made of “ala zhip” — a two-coloured thread of black and white fibres twisted together. In the old days fresh grass or a sheep’s intestine might be taken instead. It is advised that the parents prepare the thread themselves rather than buy it ready-made. The child’s feet — standing or seated — are loosely bound with it so that it can be cut in one movement.

Who cuts the hobbles

The choice of the person is the most important part of the rite: traits were believed to pass from him to the child. The one invited to cut is respected, fortunate and quick on his feet — someone who “does not stumble” in life. For a girl this is usually a married woman of good character, for a boy an authoritative man. Young unmarried people, slow and lazy ones are not invited: their “sluggishness” might pass to the little one.

How the rite goes

• The child’s feet are bound with the black-and-white thread.
• The cutter cuts the thread with a knife. Scissors are not used: they have two blades, and the child’s path must not fork.
• Good words are spoken: “Zhuirik bol!” (“Be swift!”), “Shauyp ket!” (“Run!”), and a bata is given. The little one is encouraged with the children’s “kaz-kaz, balam”.
• The child is led by the hands along the “ak zhol” — the white path — while guests scatter “shashu” — sweets and coins; children gather them, and their “pure energy” is believed to bring the little one luck.
• The little one takes the first independent steps or runs; a meal and gifts follow.

Symbolism

Black and white are an image of life, in which joy and grief, good and evil meet side by side: the child must learn to tell them apart and walk his own road. The knife is “one path without forking”. The swift cutter “passes on” swiftness. The “white path” is a clean, happy way. Even the word “tusau” hints at the horse: the little one, like a foal, gains freedom of movement.

Gifts and the meal

Guests bring clothes, scarves, money, toys: traditional ones are the asyk (knucklebone) and the syldyrmak (rattle). The one who cut the hobbles is due a “kade” — cloth, a scarf or money. The table is laid with meat, baursaks, kurt, butter and sweets, and treats are handed out to everyone present.

What has changed

Today tusau kesu is held around a year of age, at home or in a restaurant, often with a host. Modern hosts sometimes add a “choice of object” at the end of the path — the little one is offered a dombra, a book, money, an apple, and “fate is predicted” by the choice. This is a later borrowing from other cultures, not part of the original rite: traditional descriptions have nothing of the sort.

Interesting facts

Glossary

Тұсау

Hobbles for a horse; in the rite, the two-coloured thread on the child’s feet.

Тұсау кесу

The rite of cutting the child’s hobbles.

Тұсаукесер

The name of the rite and of the gift on this occasion.

Ала жіп

A two-coloured (black-and-white) thread twisted together.

Кесуші

The one who cuts the hobbles: a respected, fortunate, swift person.

Ақ жол

“The white road”: a clean path of luck and the white path in the rite.

Тәй-тәй

The children’s expression for first steps.

Қаз-қаз

A tender call with which a child is taught to walk.

Шашу

Scattering sweets and coins.

Асық

The knucklebone: a traditional toy and game.