The Committee

1. Takes note that Kazakhstan has nominated Betashar, traditional wedding ritual (No. 01746) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

In Kazakhstan, the Betashar ritual is the ceremony of revealing the bride’s face during a wedding ceremony. It originated in medieval times, when the groom rarely saw his future bride before the wedding. At the beginning of the ceremony, the bride’s mother dresses her in the traditional Kazakh headdress and a veil. She is escorted into the hall, where the guests await her appearance. The ‘akyn’ (the singer and leader of ceremony) starts the bridal song, praising the groom’s family and ancestors. As a sign of respect and greeting, the bride and her sisters-in-law bow to each person as they are mentioned. The ‘akyn’ then lifts the bride’s veil to reveal her face to the guests. The groom’s mother welcomes the bride as a new family member, and the groom takes her by the hand. Relatives then shower the newlyweds with sweets and coins. The social norms and knowledge related to betashar are transmitted from grandmothers to grandchildren. Akyns and the craftspeople who create the traditional wedding attire and accessories transmit their knowledge through apprenticeships. The ritual unites new family members and neighbours. It also allows for the exchange of traditional knowledge, such as folk songs, while enhancing mutual understanding and dialogue.

2. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.1:   Betashar ritual is the ceremony of revealing the bride’s face during a wedding ceremony. The practitioners and bearers of the element are the Kazakh community and the brides’ mother, the bride and groom and the groom’s eldest sisters perform specific roles. The knowledge and skills associated with the Betashar rites are transmitted informally within families, with grandmothers teaching their grandchildren. The older women teach girls about the ethics and sacred wisdom related to the ceremony. The knowledge of the masters of the wedding ceremonies are transmitted through apprenticeships. The ritual promotes unity among families and their neighbours. It also fosters the exchange of traditional knowledge, mutual respect for social traditions and improving interpersonal relations within the local communities.

R.4:   Experts and bearers were involved in the nomination process of the element. They participated in assessing risks to the traditional wedding ceremonies in Kazakhstan, where a series of educational lectures discussing the element were organized with the involvement of a group of Akyns. Various letters of consent from the communities were submitted, expressing their support for the nomination of the element.

R.5:   The element was listed on the National Register of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kazakhstan in March 2013. The inventory is maintained by the Ministry of Culture and Sports. The inventory is updated in two ways: (a) the National Inventory is revised as a whole document; and (b) new elements proposed by the National Commission for UNESCO and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization are added after the consideration of the bearers and communities concerned. The procedure for updating the inventory was updated in late 2023.

3. Further considers that based on the information provided by the State Party to the Committee at its present session, the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity are satisfied:

R.2:   The recognition and inscription of the element, which is one of the most widespread and regularly used traditional rites in Kazakhstan, will increase the visibility and awareness of the intangible cultural heritage in general and contribute to increased dialogue involving its practitioners. It promotes gender equality through the welcoming of a young woman into a new family and acknowledging her as its equal member with rights and responsibilities, thus strengthening social cohesion within family and community structures. The element promotes quality education by transferring practical knowledge and cultural values from elders to younger generations, preserving skills linked to family life and marriage. It also promotes environmental sustainability though the emphasis on the need to live in harmony between humans and nature and the use of fabrics, jewellery, and musical instruments from organic materials.

R.3:   The nomination outlines safeguarding measures that ensure Betashar’s viability. Communities, practitioners, and elders actively preserve Betashar, with knowledge passed down through family structures and the traditional master-apprentice (ustaz-shakirt) training system. The formal education system integrates Betashar into the curricula of music and arts training establishments, providing scholarships and training for students in traditional performances and craftsmanship. Nationwide, regional, and local festivals, and media coverage celebrate Betashar, maintaining its visibility. The bearers of the element, along with the National ICH Committee, engage in measures safeguarding it by organizing community consultations and educational initiatives to maintain its cultural integrity.

4. Decides to inscribe Betashar, traditional wedding ritual on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
5. Reminds the State Party to ensure that information provided in the nomination form in the future is aligned with the supporting documents in the file.