Atyrau Journal - "Cutting the Fetters" & More on Georgia

On Friday evening, we had the special privilege of being invited to a ceremony performed for Kazakhstani children who are just starting to walk. It is called Tusau Kesu or "cutting the fetters." They lay out a special "run way" with the name of the tradition, and then symbolically tie the child's feet together with a decorative rope. An honored guest, typically a grandfather or some other distinguished family member or friend, cuts the rope and the child walks the short run way representing the freedom walking will bring. At the far end of run way there were three objects: a small musical instrument, representing the arts; a book representing learning and intelligence; and money, representing success and wealth. Whichever object the toddler selects will show which traits and interests will be part of his or her life. In this case, the completely fun, adorable, and happy toddler selected the money, much to his father's delight! Notice that mother and son are both wearing traditional Kazakh clothing.

Georgia was the second officially Christian nation in the world, following Armenia. We visited many churches and monasteries, with the origins of some dating back to the 4th Century A.D. The Georgian Orthodox Church has its own Patriarch (similar to the Roman Catholic Pope), who is popular and highly regarded in the country. Georgians have held tight to their religion through centuries of Russian and the Soviet domination, which has given them their fierce independence. The Patron Saint is, of course, Saint George. You see him below slaying the dragon high atop a column in Tblisi where a statue of Lenin stood in Soviet times. We also visited the gorgeous Caucuses mountains, where we saw a ski resort that dates back to Soviet times, and most significantly, Mount Kazbegi. In the foothills of the mountain there is a Benedictine Monastery, where only six or seven black-robed monks live a life of austerity at a high altitude. Interestingly, in the city of Gori, we saw the birthplace and a museum dedicated to Joseph Stalin. The museum focuses on the Soviet contributions to winning World War II, but also acknowledges that Stalin had darker side.