Over the centuries, the Kazakh people have developed their own system of observing nature and climate. In the conditions of a nomadic economy, where well-being directly depended on the change of seasons, it was observation and the ability to predict weather changes that helped to survive and preserve traditions.

These observations were formed into a special system - "amaldar". Amals represented certain natural periods or phenomena that repeated from year to year and served as a kind of calendar for nomads. With their help, they planned key areas of life: from grazing cattle and haymaking to agriculture and forage harvesting.

Beskonak - five transitional days

One of the striking examples is "Beskonak" - five additional days with which Kazakh timekeepers "equalized" the calendar. This period fell on the border between winter and spring, when the weather changes dramatically: snow, rain and even blizzards are possible. On these days, cattle were not taken far and long trips were avoided. If "Beskonak" passed calmly, it caused alarm: it was believed that the summer could be dry and poor.

Kuralaidyn salkyny - "coolness of saigas"

At the end of May, the steppe is covered by the phenomenon of "Kuralaidyn salkyny" - a cold snap with winds and rains. At this time, saigas begin to give birth en masse. The cold wind helps newborn cubs get stronger faster, and predators seem to lose interest in hunting. People saw this as a sign of special harmony of nature.

Spring signs

Spring in folk meteorology is rich in symbols:

"Kus kanaty" ("Bird's wing") - the end of March, when migratory birds return and the rains begin.

"Kyzyr kamshysy" ("Khyzyra's whip") - April thunderstorms, a symbol of new energy of nature.

"Tobylgy zhargan" - a cold wind at the end of April, when the meadowsweet begins to blossom, and the earth comes to life.

"Börîsyrgák" - a March cold snap, coinciding with the mating season of wolves. If there was a snowstorm at this time, they expected an early spring.

Summer and autumn: heat and "Sumbile"

A hot symbol of summer was "Kyryk kün shilde" - a forty-day heat from mid-July to mid-August. This is the time for haymaking and forage preparation.
It was followed by "Sumbile amali" - the end of August and the beginning of September, associated with the rising of the star Sirius. The appearance of morning cold and the first frosts meant the onset of autumn and the beginning of the harvest.

Winter signs

The harshest time was considered to be "Akpan-tokpan" - the last weeks of February. Snowstorms and piercing winds made this period difficult for people and livestock. But the people knew: spring comes after "tokpan".

Knowledge tested by centuries

Each "amal" was not just a weather reference point, but also part of the cultural code of the Kazakhs. This is a kind of folk meteorology, where observations of nature were combined with myths, beliefs and practical knowledge. Thanks to them, nomads were able to adapt to the capricious climate of the steppe and plan their farming for the year ahead.

Today, interest in "amals" has not faded: ethnographers see in them a rich layer of traditional culture, and ecologists - proof of the harmonious coexistence of man and nature.