Keyword: «receiving guests»

The article discusses certain customs and traditions of the Kazakh and Russian people and, in particular, the laws of hospitality. The author tries to show that Kazakh hospitality surpasses Russian hospitality in terms of the degree of manifestation, range and scale of the events held. Historically, the Kazakhs were nomads, so hospitality was the main condition for their survival and support, communication with the outside world. The laws of hospitality of each nation were greatly influenced by the religious and ethical aspect, that is, the commandments of Christianity and Islam. In the article, the emphasis is on such a category of guests as wanderers among the Russians and kudayy konak among the Kazakhs. We believe that in the biblical verses the commandments regarding the reception of strangers, unexpected guests, are given, as a rule, by exhortation, explanation, appeal to the consciousness of the hosts in a mild form, warning that Angels, Jesus, apostles can come in the form of a wanderer. In the suras of the Koran, the instructions for the reception of wanderers are set out harshly, severely, in a categorical form, that any guest comes by the will of the Almighty, whom Muslims are obliged to accept without reasoning. Here is a reminder of the Day of Judgment, when everyone will answer for disobedience. Before the adoption of Islam, the Kazakhs were influenced by a belief from mythology about Kydyr Ata, who may be one of the forty guests. All these prescriptions and warnings about the laws of hospitality were reflected in the mentality of the peoples, their character and were expressed in specific customs and traditions. Russian hospitality is a gesture of goodwill and the result of a choice, when the hosts can, for the most part, accept or not accept wanderers due to unfavorable circumstances. Kazakh hospitality is a voluntary-compulsory gesture in the absence of a choice, kudayy konak hosts are obliged to accept regardless of the circumstances, even if they have a grief. At the same time, the Kazakh perceives an unexpected guest as a gift, a sign from the Almighty, kudayy konak brings joy, happiness, wealth and blessing to the house. Kazakh hospitality is carried out by default, it has entered the blood and flesh of the Kazakhs. For these reasons, the degree of hospitality, the range and scale of the reception of guests among the Kazakhs is much deeper, wider and more diverse than among the Russians. Currently, hospitality is interpreted by the Kazakhs as a national idea, it is the national brand of Kazakhstan and the people living on its territory – Kazakhstanis.