2 Symbolic Beginnings: A Comparative Study of First-Year Celebrations in Kazakhstan and South Korea
Adeliya Shaikh
Have you ever wondered how seemingly unrelated cultures can share common elements? Despite their geographical distance and distinct languages, Kazakhstan and South Korea reveal surprising similarities in some of their rituals. This connection arises from the fascinating historical journey that has intertwined their practices despite their differences. The comparable rituals in these regions likely developed through a blend of shared nomadic heritage, cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, common ancient beliefs, and universal human concerns. Understanding these similarities provides insight into how different cultures address similar life milestones, such as a child’s first birthday. While Kazakhstan and South Korea each celebrate this important milestone with rituals that predict the child’s future, the ceremonies are deeply influenced by their unique cultural and religious foundations—Kazakhstan’s rooted in spiritual and shamanic traditions, and South Korea’s shaped by Confucian and Buddhist values. This exploration of their rituals not only highlights their shared aspects but also illuminates the distinct cultural contexts that shape these meaningful celebrations.
Cultural traditions form through a blend of historical events, religious beliefs, social practices, environmental factors, cultural exchanges, family customs, and adaptation, all of which influence how we define ourselves. “It can be said that in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Northern Cyprus, which are determined as the study area of the research, especially animitism, totemism, Shamanism, Sky God religion and Islam served as the sources of folk beliefs” (Yeniasır et al., 2020, p.297). In Kazakhstan, unique cultural traditions are deeply rooted in the region’s history and its people. Kazakhstan boasts a rich array of beautiful, diverse, and significant traditions, each of which is worth exploring. In Kazakh culture, traditional rites of passage play a crucial role in marking significant milestones in a child’s life. One important cultural tradition that I have inherited from my ancestors is the tusawkeser, also known as the cutting of ties. According to Abzhet and Zhumashova(2016) this ceremony involves tying the child’s legs with a cord braided from black and white threads, which is then cut to symbolize the child’s transition from the spiritual to the earthly realm, marking their full establishment in the world of the living. Rooted in ancient shamanic beliefs, the rite signifies that the child’s soul has settled in their body and is now firmly part of the earthly existence. The ceremony, conducted in the presence of relatives and followed by a celebratory feast, is often performed by respected elders to wish the child a long life, success, and strong descendants.(p.180). “Another belief in Kazakh and Turkmen is the laying of white fabric / carpet on the way … it is believed that the path of the bride will be happy and open in terms of the evocation of good lock and goodness by white color” (Yeniasır et al., 2020, p.299). The same person who performed the cutting ceremony leads the child by both hands along a white fabric path, where several objects await at the end. Usually, these objects are an apple, a book, money, and a dombra (a Kazakh musical instrument). The Kazakh people have long believed that the object a child chooses will determine their future destiny. If the child chooses an apple, they will always be well-fed; if a book, they will be smart and inquisitive; if money, they will be rich; and if a dombra, they will be creative. “Kazakhs’ belief that as long as a child is not able to stand firmly on two feet, the soul has not definitively settled in this world. If the “fetters” are not “cut,” the child will not have a bright path [ak yol, white road] in the future; sacred spirits will not assist it”( Abzhet & Zhumashova, 2016, p. 181). The tusawkeser ceremony is more than just a traditional rite; it is a profound expression of the values and beliefs that have shaped Kazakh society for generations. By performing this ritual, Kazakh families honor their ancestors and keep alive the rich cultural heritage that defines their identity.
According to Hall (1996) “Cultural identity [. . .] is a matter of “becoming” as well as of “being.” It belongs to the future as much as to the past. It is not something which already exists, transcending place, time, history and culture. Cultural identities come from somewhere, they have histories. But, like everything which is historical, they undergo constant transformation” (Marinescu, 2014, p.1). South Korea has rapidly modernized and adopted Western values, leading to significant societal changes. Traditional practices now coexist with modern values. However, traditional Korean rituals rooted in Buddhism and Confucianism still play a key role in marking significant life stages (“South Korea society”, 2010). Like many other Asian cultures, South Korean society has historically placed a strong emphasis on the importance of children, viewing them as central to the family’s legacy and future. “The birth of a child is an occasion for great joy and celebration. Koreans believe that the destiny of the baby is dependent on the day on which it is born. Families cherish and take care of newborn children in a very loving way. Babies are rarely separated from their mothers for the first two years, and the mothers usually carry them around on their backs” (“South Korea society”, 2010, p.9). This cultural emphasis on children, combined with the high infant mortality rates in the past, led to the development of significant rituals and celebrations, such as tol ceremonies, to protect and honor the child’s survival and to ensure their well-being and longevity:
In the past, a child’s first birthday was considered a day of great importance, since many children died before reaching this milestone. Although this is no longer the case, the special significance of the first birthday has carried on to this very day. The tol and toljabee ceremony on a child’s first birthday includes a special prayer for the child’s longevity, special food to be shared with family members and neighbors, and a prediction of the child’s future (“South Korea society”, 2010, p.9).
To celebrate a child’s first birthday, parents prepare a special tol table filled with symbolic foods, including twelve types of ddeok (rice cakes). Each type of rice cake carries a unique meaning: white steamed rice cakes symbolize purity and longevity, while those coated with red bean powder are believed to ward off evil spirits. Sticky rice cakes are meant to help the child grow up strong and resilient. Half-moon-shaped rice cakes are also included—empty ones symbolize generosity, and stuffed ones represent wisdom. After setting the table, the child’s mother or grandmother offers prayers for the child’s longevity (“South Korea society”, 2010, p.9). The toljabee ceremony, a central part of a child’s first birthday celebration in Korea, is rich in symbolism and tradition. During this ceremony, various objects are placed before the child, each representing a different potential future. The child’s selection of an item is believed to predict their destiny. For example, choosing a bow and arrow symbolizes a future as a warrior, indicating strength and bravery. If the child picks up a needle and thread, it signifies a long life, as these items are associated with continuity and perseverance. A small jujube shrub is symbolic of fertility and the promise of many descendants. Objects like books, pencils, and a calligraphy set represent intellectual pursuits, suggesting that the child may grow up to become a successful scholar or academic. For girls, traditional items like needles, scissors, and rulers replace the bow and arrow, reflecting skills in craftsmanship and practicality (“South Korea society”, 2010, p.9). This ritual underscores the deep cultural belief in the power of destiny and the importance of early signs in a child’s life, blending both hope and tradition in the child’s journey ahead.
The rituals in Kazakhstan and South Korea may appear similar in their use of symbolic objects to predict a child’s future, they differ in their cultural and religious foundations, historical evolution, and the symbolic meanings attached to the rituals. Abzhet and Zhumashova (2016) explain that the tusawkeser ceremony is a traditional Kazakh rite of passage that marks a child’s transition from the spiritual to the earthly realm. During the ceremony, the child’s legs are tied with a cord braided from black and white threads, which is then cut by a respected elder. This act symbolizes the child’s entry into the world of the living. On the other hand, The South Korea Society (2010) describes the tol ceremony as a traditional Korean celebration of a child’s first birthday, a milestone historically significant due to high infant mortality rates. The celebration involves setting a special tol table with symbolic foods, such as various types of rice cakes, each carrying a unique meaning (purity, longevity, strength). Abzhet and Zhumashova (2016) provide a detailed description of the symbolism in the future-prediction ritual, where the child chooses from objects like an apple, a book, money, or a dombra, each symbolizing different aspects of their future (prosperity, wisdom, wealth, creativity). The ceremony is a communal event, often followed by a celebratory feast, emphasizing the importance of ancestral guidance and the community’s role in the child’s life. Similarly, in the South Korean tol tradition, the South Korea Society (2010) mentions that the toljabee ceremony, a central part of the tol, involves placing various objects in front of the child, such as a bow and arrow, books, or needles, which the child selects to predict their future role or destiny (e.g., warrior, scholar, long life). This ritual reflects the cultural emphasis on destiny, family roles, and the hope for a prosperous future for the child. According to Yeniasır et al. (2020), the rituals in Kazakhstan are deeply rooted in ancient practices such as animism, Shamanism, and the Sky God religion, which emphasize the spiritual connection between the individual and the natural world. In contrast, South Korean rituals are influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, which focus more on societal roles, family honor, and the concept of destiny as determined by ethical living and adherence to social norms (“South Korea society”, 2010). There is no doubt that in both cultures, a child’s first-year celebration is a very important milestone, marked by a big feast and family gatherings, followed by future-prediction ceremonies. Both Kazakhstan’s tusawkeser ceremony and South Korea’s tol ceremony involve the child selecting symbolic objects believed to predict their future. This shared ritual highlights the importance of guiding and foreseeing the child’s path in life. However, a closer look at the historical and religious backgrounds reveals significant differences in the fundamental ideas behind these ceremonies. Kazakhstan’s practices are deeply rooted in spiritual and shamanic traditions, focusing on the child’s integration into the spiritual and natural world. In contrast, South Korea’s rituals are shaped by Confucian and Buddhist values, emphasizing societal roles, family honor, and the child’s place within the broader social structure. These differences reflect the distinct cultural and religious foundations that influence how each society approaches the celebration of a child’s significant milestones.
In conclusion, the first-year celebrations of children in Kazakhstan and South Korea offer rich insights into the cultural values and historical contexts of these societies. Both the tusawkeser and tol ceremonies underscore the importance of this milestone in a child’s life, reflecting a shared emphasis on predicting and guiding the child’s future through symbolic objects. However, the profound differences in these rituals reveal the unique cultural and religious landscapes that shape them. Kazakhstan’s tusawkeser ceremony is deeply entrenched in shamanic traditions, focusing on the child’s spiritual integration and connection with ancestral practices. In contrast, South Korea’s tol ceremony, influenced by Confucian and Buddhist ideals, highlights the societal roles and familial aspirations for the child’s future. These distinctions not only illustrate how different cultures approach significant life events but also emphasize the broader ways in which cultural identities evolve and adapt. Understanding these ceremonies enriches our appreciation of how diverse societies honor and guide their future generations while preserving their distinct heritage and beliefs.
References
Abzhet, B. S., & Zhumashova, Z. A. (2016). Childbirth Traditions and Customs of the Kazakh People. Anthropology & Archeology of Eurasia, 55(2), 165–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/10611959.2016.1307018
South Korea society & culture. (2010). World Trade Press. (2nd ed.)
Yeniasır ,M., & Öger, A. (2020). A Comparative Perspective of Folk Beliefs and Traditions of Kazakhs, Turkmens and Turkish Cypriots. Folklor/Edebiyat, 26(102), 297–317. https://doi.org/10.22559/folklor.1150
