Zhailau 2011
With loving guidance from the Aul parents and Kazakh teachers, everyone had fun while learning throughout the week.
Erden taught the boys traditional dance...
...while Dilara taught the girls.
The Aul learned about the Betashar, ("Reveal the Face") ceremony, a portion of the wedding tradition.
Kazakhstan is known for falconry, especially hunting with eagels, so all kids experienced falcons upclose.
Samal, Erden, and Gulmira played beautiful dombra and kobiz songs during Zhailau opening, closing, and evening events.
Samal, Erden, and Gulmira played beautiful dombra and kobiz songs during Zhailau opening, closing, and evening events.
They also taught dombra lessons. Students worked hard to master a closing ceremony song.
Alma-apai taught basic Kazakh language throughout the week.
Children and adults participated in several traditional craft making workshops. The big kids explored leather decorating.
Kazakhs decorate with hand-sewn textiles. The intermediate kids created pillow coverings.
Historically, Kazakh men AND women were known as fierce warriors. The littlest kids designed cardboard shields.
This year, the oldest kids acquired leadership roles, including reading Kazakh stories to the younger kids.
Compliments of Karlyga, every child went home with a book about zhailau in Kazakhstan.
No Zhailau would be complete without horse racing!
Sack races are FUN!
Tug of war anyone?
Our cross-cultural cooking team created a delicious traditional Plov lunch for the entire aul.
Our camp resort, the GPC, provided beautiful beaches, canoeing, kayaking, and miles of nature hike trails.
The best parts of Zhailau were the life-long friendships and reconnections...
... and fun, fun, fun!