Before the wedding in Norway, there will be a traditional Kazakh ceremony called Qyz Uzatu, which will be hosted by Malika’s family in Astana.
Qyz Uzatu means “farewell to the girl” and is one of the oldest traditions in Kazakhstan, it goes back to nomadic times. It marks the moment when the bride leaves her family home to begin a new chapter with her future husband. After many years of these customs being paused during the Soviet period, there’s been a strong cultural revival, and today, Qyz Uzatu is both a heartfelt tradition and a big celebration.
What to Expect
This event resembles a wedding but is focused on saying farewell to the bride. A significant part of the evening is the Ak Zhol ceremony in the end, where a white fabric path is laid out to symbolize a smooth and happy married life.
The groom waits at the end of the path, ready to welcome his bride into his family. A farewell song, Syngsu, is usually performed by the bride, her friends, or relatives, it can be emotional, but also very beautiful. The bride doesn’t look back as she leaves, which is an old custom meant to bring good luck.
You’ll also experience:
- Beautiful traditional clothing, often with modern twists
- Live music – often with a dombra, kazakh national instrument
- Speeches, blessings, and sometimes tears!
- A festive dinner with lots of food, dancing and drinking
- An optional afterparty for younger guests who want to continue into the night
Based on tradition, the celebration is hosted by the bride’s family, so Malika’s family will organize everything to ensure she receives a loving and dignified farewell. The groom’s side typically sends a group of close relatives and friends to take part in the ceremony and welcome the bride into their family.
It’s Both Tradition and Celebration
We want you to know that while this is a deeply meaningful tradition, it’s also a time for joy. There will be laughter, dancing, music, lots of food and drinks. You don’t need to understand every cultural detail to enjoy the evening, just come with an open heart, an empty stomach, and your best dance moves!
We’re really looking forward to sharing this special part of Kazakh culture with you!
Practical information
The Qyz Uzatu will take place in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on the 4th of July 2026. We know it’s a long journey, and we truly appreciate everyone who makes the effort to be there. That said, we completely understand if you’re unable to attend. Please note that we are not expecting any gifts for this celebration.
For those traveling from abroad, we’re planning a few days of sightseeing in both Astana and the Almaty region in the days after the ceremony. We are making a program that will take us both for onto the steps and high up in the mountains.
Almaty is the cultural capital in the south of the country and used to be Kazakhstan’s capital until 1997. The vibe is completely different from Astana – more relaxed, with mountain landscapes all around and a unique mix of European and Central Asian influences.
We’d love to take you around, show you some of our favorite spots, and let you experience a bit of both city life and nature.
This is no weekend trip. You will likely have to travel on the 2nd of July and stay for three to seven days. Depending on wether you’d like to join us in Almaty.
What will this cost me?
For those coming from abroad, the main costs to expect are flights, accommodation, and some meals.
Unfortunately, flight prices have increased much this last year, so tickets will be the largest expense. For guest coming from Norway flights will total around 15.000 kr, if you’re also joining us to Almaty.
Hotels in Astana and Almaty vary in price, but you can expect comfortable options for around 100-150 USD per night. We’ll try to arrange group rates where possible. Most sightseeing and local transport will be very affordable. Compared to Norway, restaurants, bars, and taxis are much cheaper, so daily expenses stay low. Both cities also have lots of great restaurants, where you can dine like royalty without breaking the bank.