This ceremony, during which the bride's face is shown to the guests for the first time after the wedding contract, is rooted in ancient nomadic traditions. The word "Betashar" consists of two parts: "Bet" (face) and "Ashar" (to open/unveil). It refers to a ritual process in which the bride enters the wedding venue with her face covered by a fabric veil (usually white or red), and then, through a special song performed by a "Zhyrau" (a traditional singer-musician), her veil is lifted. This ritual, which is the most vibrant and enduring wedding tradition in Central Asia, was inscribed in December 2024 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the official title "Betashar, traditional wedding ritual."
Unlike many similar rituals in other cultures (such as Henna Night or other bridal veil-lifting ceremonies), Betashar is not a private family affair but a "public performance" in which all members of the community participate. This highlights the ritual's central role in strengthening social solidarity.
The structure and elements of Betashar are highly precise and symbolic. On the wedding day, the bride wears the traditional Kazakh attire, including the "Saukele"—a tall headpiece (often 50 to 70 centimeters high) made of velvet or expensive fabric, decorated with silver, gold, and precious stones, weighing between 5 to 8 kilograms. A thin veil made of white or red fabric, called "Zheymek," is placed over the bride's face. Accompanied by a Zhyrau and a group of women and young girls, the bride enters the wedding ceremony. The Zhyrau begins to sing "Betashar Zhyry," a long song (sometimes lasting up to 30 minutes) accompanied by the Dombra instrument, in which the bride is introduced to the elders of the groom's family. At the end of the song, the Zhyrau lifts the veil from the bride's face. The bride then bows to the elders of the groom's family as a sign of respect, and they, in turn, present her with gifts (money, jewelry, clothing, or livestock). Finally, the "Shashu" ritual takes place, during which the elders and the women of the family scatter candies, coins, and sweets over the bride and the attendees to wish her blessings and happiness in her new life.
The historical background and evolution of Betashar demonstrate the resilience and flexibility of Kazakh culture. Anthropological research shows that the roots of this ritual go back to pre-Islamic shamanic traditions; in that era, the veil was a symbol of "protecting the bride from evil spirits." During the Soviet era, the performance of this ritual faced severe restrictions, but after Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, Betashar was revived with renewed fervor and is now recognized as one of the symbols of Kazakh national identity. To protect this heritage, Kazakhstan has placed it among its national cultural priorities and, through persistent efforts, finally succeeded in achieving its global UNESCO registration.
Betashar is a symbol of "cultural diplomacy based on shared family rituals" in the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) region. Although this ritual is specific to Kazakh culture, it bears surprising similarities to similar traditions in other ECO member countries: the "Henna Night" in Iran and Turkey, "Rubin-bandi" in the Pashtun culture of Afghanistan, "Sarak" in Tajik culture, and "Kelin Salomy" in Uzbek culture. These similarities show that in the deeper layers of culture—specifically in respect for the family and honoring elders—there are many commonalities among the nations of the region. Betashar provides vast potential for "convergence through folk culture." It teaches us that "marriage" in the culture of the ECO region is not just a private bond between two individuals, but a "social covenant" between two families and even two tribes, and the rituals associated with it are key to understanding the underlying layers of culture and the values of local communities.