The Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan has presented a draft of a new resolution "On Measures for Regulating Family Celebrations and Memorial Rites" for public discussion.
The purpose of this document is to organize family events and rites related to the commemoration of the deceased, as well as to reduce financial costs, considering the current socio-economic situation of citizens.
The Ministry of Culture emphasizes that family celebrations and memorial rites have historically held an important place in the culture of the Kyrgyz people, contributing to the strengthening of spiritual values, solidarity, and support for one another. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in cases where citizens begin to incur debts while organizing wedding ceremonies, anniversaries, and funerals, which negatively affects the financial well-being of families.The agency believes that the implementation of this resolution will help reduce social tension, strengthen family traditions, enhance the level of social protection for citizens, and preserve national customs in modern conditions.
The draft resolution concerns various family events, including weddings, bride send-offs, rites related to the birth of a child, religious rites (Hajj, Umrah), as well as funerals and memorials (three, seven, forty days, and anniversaries).
The document has been developed in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic dated February 24, 2022, No. 54, and aims to prevent excessive spending, ostentatious luxury, and societal pressure during family events.
In organizing weddings, it is proposed to:
- hold celebrations without debts, corresponding to the real financial capabilities of the family;
- limit the number of guests to 200 people;
- organize weddings within one day;
- exclude large events with more than 350 participants;
- limit the slaughter of livestock to one head of cattle or one horse;
- avoid excessive food preparation.
The document proposes to abandon extravagant traditions such as "kiyit kiygizüü" (gifting clothing), "sebet berüü" (gifting baskets with treats), "tüştönüü" (organizing lunches), and promote the concept of "A modest wedding is a blessed wedding."The bride send-off (kız uzatuu toyu) is recommended to be held in a moderate format, focusing on family, educational, and spiritual values.
For organizing funerals and memorial events, it is proposed to:
- not conduct livestock slaughter on the day of the funeral;
- consider holding the anniversary of the memorial as a voluntary event;
- limit the circle of invited guests to close relatives;
- allow the slaughter of small livestock or one head of cattle or horse at subsequent memorials;
- organize a modest table and adhere to sanitary and hygienic requirements;
- encourage charity and donations for public needs instead of lavish memorials.
Particular attention is paid to the responsibility of banquet hall owners, toastmasters, and other organizers, who are required to follow established requirements and avoid imposing services that lead to excessive expenses.
Control over compliance with the Order includes the development of model standards for conducting family celebrations, including for civil servants, and individuals who violate its provisions will be held accountable in accordance with the Code of Offenses of the Kyrgyz Republic.
