Kazakhstan: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Beshbarmak, boiled lamb or horse meat served over wide flat noodles; the name means "five fingers" as it is eaten by hand
• Kazy, cured horse sausage; a prized traditional delicacy served at celebrations and important gatherings
• Plov, rice pilaf cooked with lamb, carrots, and onions in a large kazan (cauldron); a Central Asian staple
• Shashlik, skewered and grilled meat (lamb, beef, or chicken) seasoned with cumin; sold at every outdoor market
• Kumiss, fermented mare's milk; slightly alcoholic, tangy, and considered a health drink by nomadic tradition

Traditions & Festivals

• Nauryz (March 21–23), the Persian and Turkic New Year; the most important holiday with traditional games, yurt celebrations, and feasts
• Independence Day (December 16), national holiday commemorating independence from the Soviet Union in 1991
• Kazakh eagle hunting, a living tradition in the Altai region; golden eagles trained for hunting are a national symbol
• Astana Day (July 6), celebrates the capital city with concerts, fireworks, and cultural performances in Astana

Language & Communication

Kazakh is the state language; Russian remains widely spoken, especially in Almaty and Astana. English is growing in business and tourism sectors.

Key phrase: "Rakhmet" (рахмет) means thank you in Kazakh. Kazakhstan is actively transitioning from Cyrillic to Latin script for Kazakh as part of a national identity modernisation effort.

Cultural Etiquette

• Hospitality is a core cultural value, accepting an invitation into someone's home obligates you to eat and drink generously
• The eldest person is greeted first and served first at any gathering, respect for elders is paramount
• Dress conservatively when visiting mosques, head coverings for women are required
• Tipping is not traditional but is increasingly expected in Almaty restaurants, 10% is appropriate