The beginning of the year coincides with harsh winter weather, and many Kazakhs traditionally refrain from holding weddings and other celebrations during this month. According to statistics, January sees fewer weddings worldwide due to the difficulty of organizing events during the winter. This practice is not unique to Kazakhs; other cultures also find it inconvenient to hold weddings during this time.

Recently, however, more and more people are disregarding this tradition. Even in the bitter cold of winter, weddings are being held, breaking the belief that "there are no weddings in January". According to actor Zhussip Akshora of the "Shanshar" theater, weddings and other celebrations are now held regardless of the month, even in January. He stresses the importance of celebrating such events and not restricting them to certain seasons.

The reluctance to hold weddings in January is partly due to the harsh winter conditions, which make traveling and organizing events more difficult. There is also a cultural belief that events held at this time may not be as successful or prosperous. However, modern technology and changing social norms have led to a shift in attitudes, with more people choosing to celebrate weddings and other events in January.

Traditionally, the belief that "girls are not given away in January" stems from the harsh winter conditions and the challenges of organizing weddings during this time. However, this belief is gradually fading as people adapt to modern conveniences and prioritize celebrating important events regardless of the month.

In conclusion, while there were once cultural and practical reasons for avoiding weddings in January, changing attitudes and advances in technology have made it more common to hold celebrations during this month. The belief that weddings should not be held in January is becoming less prevalent as people prioritize celebrating important milestones regardless of the time of year.

Eleonora Zhanabergenkyna