A birthday gift for ata and azhe: ideas with meaning
Elders usually have enough things. For a birthday, a gift that speaks about them and about the clan they continued is worth more.
In short: give the story of the family
For the birthday of a grandfather (ata) or grandmother (azhe), the best gift is one that speaks about the person being honoured and their clan: a shezhire as a poster or a book. It is presented in front of all the guests and then passed on to the children. It is worth starting early, because the names have to be collected from relatives.
Which dates are celebrated
Kazakh and Kyrgyz families widely celebrate 60, 70 and 80 years. Special importance is also given to mushel zhas, ages in the twelve-year cycle: 61, 73, 85. The whole family gathers for such celebrations, and a gift with meaning is most fitting there.
Meaningful gift ideas
- A shezhire poster. A seven-generation tree where the guest of honour stands among their ancestors. It can be presented at the toi (family celebration) and hung in the house.
- A family book. A page for each ancestor, with photos and stories. A good gift from all the children and grandchildren together.
- A memory album. Recorded stories of the guest of honour about childhood, parents and the village.
- A video of greetings from relatives. Especially if the relatives live in different countries.
How to prepare a shezhire for a birthday
- Collect the names from the elders, but in a way that does not give the surprise away too early. The guest of honour’s brothers and sisters can help.
- Enter the names in the order form and look at the preview. Show it to relatives to check the spelling.
- Pay and download the files. If someone corrects a name, fix it through the order link and download again.
- Order printing at a photo lab or print shop a few days before the celebration, so there is time to buy a frame.
How to present it
A shezhire is presented at the moment the family gathers: the eldest son or a grandson reads the ancestors’ names aloud. The guest of honour often adds a story that was not in the records, and that is a good reason to complete the tree later.