Identity of Kazakh woman: social status and national headwear

Abstract

In this article is considered interrelation among national identity and social status of Kazakh woman and taboo and rituals associated with women’s headwear. The aim of the investigation is to study social status of woman in Kazakh society through analysis of rituals and taboo associated with national women’s headwear. In the investigation was used the method of documents’ study and methods of induction and deduction. It was revealed interrelation among symbolic and ceremonial parts of women’s headwear and processes of woman social status change in Kazakh society (girl child and girl, bride, newly-wed, young mother and mother of tribe). Rituals and taboo associated with national women’s headwear are inherent element of Kazakh national identity and they indicate traditionally high social status of mother and woman in Kazakh society.