We are in the unusual situation of having attended both a Kazakh local school as well as an international school run by Quality Schools International.  We enjoyed being in both schools.  However, there are similarities and differences in the two schools that are worth noting.  Both schools are fairly strict.  However, in Kazakh schools music and art are taught only until the seventh grade, but in QSI, music and art are taught until graduation.  Also, in Kazakh schools, we are taught three languages – Russian, Kazakh and English, while in QSI, we only learn two languages, Kazakh and English.

Both the Kazakh school and QSI have strict rules.  For example cell phones are not allowed, if you cheat there are serious consequences, and fighting and name-calling will result in chastisement. 

There are also some differences.  First, there is a difference about the amount of time spent in school. The QSI starts at 8:30 till 4:02, although, local school starts at 8:30 till 14:05.  However, the Kazakh schools meet on Saturdays, and they meet from September until May, while QSI meets from August until the end of June. 

The most important difference is the language. In Kazakh local school the important language is Kazakh, but students are required to learn Kazakh, Russian and English.   In QSI, the important language is English, although we also learn Kazakh. 

Change in Music

Although lyrics during the past thirty years have continued to speak to our emotions, they have gone from being happy to being violent, negative and blaming, while, predictably,  people’s reactions to those lyrics have gone from being hopeful and positive to being depressed and negative. 

All music is meant to link to our emotions.  We are surrounded by it all the time.  When we are in the car, in an office, walking and exercising with our ipods, we are listening to music.  That’s why sometimes without noticing we act accordingly. I think that song writers are just trying to let everything out so they feel better, but they don’t realize that the ideas they are giving everyone with their lyrics may be misinterpreted.   Whether its love, desire, greed or lust, song lyrics relate. 

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, music was meant to make people happy and hopeful with their lyrics.  Sometimes songs were just silly but they brought positive thoughts to the people’s minds.   The topics of these generations were peace and love.  People didn’t want to think about war anymore, Vietnam was finally over.  They were ready to move on with their lives.  For example one favorite song was I’d like to teach the world to sing:

I’d like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony

I’d like to hold it in my arms

And keep it company

(That’s the song I hear)

I’d like to see the world for once

(Let the world sing today)

All standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills

For peace throughout the land

That’s the song I hear

(That’s the song I hear)

Let the world sing today

(Let the whole wide world keep singing)

A song of peace that echoes on

And never goes away

These new lyrics give us poor solutions to our problems.  They make us feel angry and think negatively.  Sometimes they encourage us to drink alcohol or take drugs.  They also make us feel angry; whereas, music before made us feel happy, hopeful, joyful, even silly. Not many of the songs made us think negatively like they do today.  It seems that people before enjoyed life more.  And even when we can agree with the message of the new lyrics, quite often the way they sing the lyrics still makes us angry and negative.  For example, look at the lyrics to Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine:

Terror rains drenchin, quenchin tha thirst of
Tha power dons
That five sided fist-a-gon
Tha rotten sore on the face of mother earth gets
Bigger
Tha triggers cold empty ya purse
They rally round tha family
With pockets full of shells
Weapons not food, not homes, not shoes
Not need, just feed tha war canibal animal

While we can all agree that war is a negative, harmful event, these lyrics are so cynical and mean, they lose their effect. 

Over time the focus on the lyrics’ meaning has changed so much that different generations do not relate to the lyrics at all.  The difference between generations seems to be increasing.  We don’t understand each other that easily anymore.  This is what makes it so difficult to get along with our parents. 

Lyrics are very important in our lives today.  Music is fun and entertaining but we need to learn to not misinterpret the lyrics because if we do we will loose the values that we have been taught. 

In eighties a rap culture began its roots. At those time people listened to Ice Cube and Dr. Dre and nobody expected any changes. But then two bright stars shined in firmament of hip-hop music. Tupac and Eminem-two great rappers of hip-hop history who made people look to a real side of world. They both grew up in poor families in ghetto, but owing to their love to music they changed their life and life of millions.

Two great rappers were interested in rap in school and both started performing at age 14. They grew up in poor families and in ghetto. Tupac and Eminem started their careers by following a dream to create their own music. Tupac’s debut album succeeded and went gold. After this album he became famous. Tupac Shakur was friend with some important people that made him authoritative in hip-hop industry. Eminm`s debut album failed, because nobody would listen to white rapper. His second album had the same fate. At first Eminem`s career didn’t advance.

After two successful albums Tupac Shakur was shot and has been in jail. In jail he released his third album that became number one in charts. Tupac loved his mother very much and he dedicated a lot of songs and poems for her. Meanwhile Eminem married to his school friend. Next year he became a father of a little daughter. But at this time Eminem had problems with his mother and their relationship was very bad.

In his whole life Tupac released four albums that were very successful and were word-of-mouth hits. Also Tupac acted in many movies which are still famous. Eminem`s life changed the opposite direction since he met Dr. Dre, who helped him to become famous. They worked together and released three albums that had success. Later, Eminem filmed biographical movie “8 Mile”, about his life that had success.

In September 7, 1996 Tupac Amaru Shakur was shot in the sreet, in September 13, 1996 he died because of wounds. Tupac and Eminem are two famous and outstanding people of hip-hop history. They both worked with Dr. Dre. Their songs helped people to live through tough life and overcome problems. Tupac and Eminem are historical people. Also they both rapped about street life and real life problems; they made great changes in hip-hop music. Once Tupac Amaru Shakur said, “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”

                                     Kazakh Wedding

All religion have their own traditions dealing with everything from birth to death.  Of all religious ceremonies, weddings are perhaps the most important event in our lives. It means that two people share their lives with each other, which is to respect and support each other in good times and in difficult times.  This is certainly true in Kazakhstan.  Here, weddings are very important.  They represent the separation of children from their parents, they represent the joining of the husband and wife, and they represent a blessing on the marriage from Allah. 

In Kazakh weddings there are many sayings such as:

• “Kuda Tusu” which means that the boy’s father go to meet the girl’s father. After the girl’s father gives permission each side makes a little “party.”
• “Saukele Kigizu” which means to put on girl’s head a nice head dress. This is not just most expensive head dress; it is also symbol of new life.
• “Kyz Tanysu” which means before getting married the girl with her older brother’s wife visit friends and relatives to say goodbye. And her relatives and friends show her respect, give her memorable gifts and blessing.
• “Synsu” which refers to the song the girl sings about sweet home. It’s about regret, because she leaves the house. This is a very unhappy, but beautiful, touching song. In this song also she asks for relatives and friends not to forget, and visit her new home from time to time.
• “Neke Kiyar” refers to the wedding ceremony itself. the Mullah asks the man and woman if they agree to be married. In the Muslim body of law it says that if the woman is pregnant the wedding is cancelled. It has to be after the child will be born.
• “Koshtasu” which means farewell from a parents’ home. Before going to the man’s house the woman has to say good bye to her parents and darling brothers and sisters.
• “Betashar” involves the unveiling of the bride’s face. There is a special song for it. On two sides of the bride there will be wives of her brothers. Then, future husband’s relatives give “korimdik” (the gift for the wedding.)

It’s bright and sunny outside

It’s ice cream time again.

I’ve had vanilla and chocolate this morning

Maybe gum ice cream is good at his time of day

Oh some chocolate syrup on top would be nice

Let’s give it a try.