Ethnic Groups’ Views on the Concept of “Blessing” (“Bata”)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI1.369Keywords:
Cultural Identity, Religious Component, Values, Cultural Heritage, Globalization, Social ChangeAbstract
The purpose of this study was to identify socio-cultural factors influencing the transformation of this tradition in modern educational practices. For this, the study employed quantitative and qualitative methods: questionnaire survey of 150 respondents from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of pedagogy, cultural studies, and psychology, as well as ethnographic observations during 12 “bata” rituals in family, educational, and religious contexts. The findings of the study revealed that the “bata” tradition preserved considerable educational and cultural significance among the older generation and in rural communities. At the same time, among the youth, especially in urban areas, there was a tendency to perceive “bata” as a symbolic or outdated element of cultural heritage. The analysis of questionnaire data confirmed that the level of education substantially influenced the attitudes towards the tradition: respondents with higher education more often viewed it in a historical and cultural context, while representatives with low and medium levels of education perceived it as a relevant element of education. Content analysis of open-ended answers revealed the prevalence of the category's “respect”, “spiritual protection”, and “loss of significance”. A statistically significant difference between value perception and actual application of tradition in the age group of 31–50 years old was also established, which indicated the process of symbolization. The practical significance of this study lies in the possibility of using the obtained data to develop cultural education programs aimed at adapting traditional practices to modern conditions without losing their basic values.
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