Introduction
Although some people may perceive horse meat in some of their favourite cuisines such as British Lasagna or even Ikea meatballs stomach churning, others consider horsemeat in their meals as a treat. Such cultures do not just accept but also treasure the consumption of horsemeat. In the nations such as the Central Republic of Kazakhstan, the meat market portfolio includes horsemeat. For the Kazakh people, horse meat is considered vital because it served them since time immemorial. Horses were slaughtered by Kazakh’s ancient nomads and consumed as a main source of protein. Milk from horses is still valued by the people of Kazakh. The people of Kazakh use horse milk in their national cuisine alongside major national dishes. For instance, its main national dish, the beshbarmak, and its main national drink, kumys, are products derived from horse milk. In Kazakhstan, people consume horse meat to express their identity; horse meat is a cultural marker that reflects historical, cultural and social aspects which influence the values of communities in Kazakhstan. This paper will argue that horsemeat consumption in Kazakhstan is a symbol of identity, and it goes beyond basic dietary preferences.
Historical Context of horse meat consumption in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and horses have a long and remarkable historical background. This means the people have an honourable perspective for horses, and their interactions in various life spheres make horses valuable. Archaeological findings in Kazakhstan and abroad have yielded fruitful evidence confirming that Botai horses were the first horses to be domesticated by the ancient residents of North Kazakhstan (Kuandyk, 2021). A professor of archaeological science at the University of Exeter explored the Botai culture for about 2 decades. His findings confirmed that the Botai culture first domesticated horses approximately 5500 years ago (Kuandyk, 2021).
To Kazakhstanis, horses have a special role to play in their lives. Horses were used in sports activities by ancient Kazakhstanis. Presently, horses still hold an integral part of the culture of Kazakhstani. They still use horses in playing sports activities such as Kokpar (Kuandyk, February 7, 2021). Kokpar is known by different names in different nations. For instance, the Afghans call the game Buzkashi, and the Uzbeks call it Kupkari. The game’s formation involves horses divided into defensive and offensive positions. They are also subjected to intense and precise training. These horses were trained to stop and push opponents during the game. Some would describe Kokpar as a horse rugby game. In particular events, horses clash and bump into each other at neck-breaking speeds. Injuries could happen and, in the worst case, even cause trauma, but Kazakhstanis still find joy and pride in playing the game of Kokpar.
Other than Kokpar, the horse is popular, and its involvement in fun activities and overall cultural significance portrays horses and the people of Kazakhstanis as strongly bonded. In Kazakhstan, Equestrian sports are highly encouraged and supported by many community members. Equestrian sports centres have emerged in most cities, and many Kazakhstanis pass their time in national parks and mountains participating in horse trekking. In the Kazakhstanis culture, horses help them relax, unwind their life tensions and even stay in healthy physical shape. Engaging in honest and fun games indicates the Kazakhstanis embrace horses as a deep possession in their culture.
Furthermore, horses are considered a traditional source of food by Kazakhstanis. The people of Kazakhstan express their appreciation for horses that provide horse meat and other horse products, such as milk, for their nutritional needs (Kuandyk, February 7, 2021). Kazakhstanis drink fermented mare’s milk. Their national cuisine is primarily derived from horse meat, and the country’s main national dish is beshbarmak. Besides, they believe fermented mare’s milk (Kumys) has great medicinal properties. Therefore, the demand for kumys is extremely high in Kazakhstan. Some of the widely accepted medicinal and healing properties of Kumys include the prevention of digestive system infections and diseases. Also, it is believed to relieve pain, increase beneficial bacteria during digestion, and reduces the possibility and symptoms of skin infections and diseases. (Kuandyk, February 7, 2021). In 2019 alone, the Bureau of National Statistics reported that the country produced 27,000 tons of Kumys.
Recently, the population of horses has steeply declined, and this causes a huge concern to Kazakhstanis. Before the revolution, over ten million horses grazed the fields of Kazakhstan. However, that number has reduced to less than three million horses. The country has obliged its citizens and everyone concerned to make it their responsibility that the number of horses is restored. The president of the Kazakhstan Academy of Nutrition said doing so would help restore the production of healthy horse products to the market, a move that would greatly benefit Kazakhstanis. A reduction in the number of horses in Kazakhstan has caused serious concerns. The response to this concern indicates how valuable horse meals and products are to Kazakhstanis. It all links back to horses being at the core of Kazakhstanis cultural identity and values.
Horse meat, as a culinary tradition in Kazakhstan, is non-disputable. Tourists have shared their experiences, most of them interesting and desirable. One agent of NPR named Peter Kenyon visited the Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan and was delighted by what he found upon his visit to the meat market Green Bazaar, Almaty. He shared his valued postcard. “At the cavernous hall, he came across a long counter where steaks, chops and ribs filled plates in every table.” Compared to other steaks, horse meat was given priority, and most Kazakhstanis bought horse meat over other alternatives such as lamb, cow and goat. Horse ribs and breasts are quite popular at the Green Bazaar. The people precisely love the fatty regions of the horse’s neck.
Another example of a traditional and extremely valued delicacy is the Kazy, a boiled horse meat sausage. This delicacy is precisely served on limited occasions and to guests perceived as honourable. In the 2012 Olympic games, the national Olympic team begged that they be granted permission to bring Kazy to their games. This indicates how essential the kazy is to the cuisine of Kazakhstan. When he asked a Kazakhstani named Farida about her thoughts about horse meat, she cracked a joke. She said, “She was too polite to make fun of other nation’s gastronomic foibles.” To make it more interesting, she respects other nations’ cultural values and traditions. In the postcard, Kenyon reports that Farida respected that the British honoured the horse, which is why they do not eat horse meat. Farida further claimed that their ancestors ate horses and that it is deeply rooted in the Kazakhstanis’ traditional culture and values. To the Kazakhstanis, horses are deeply connected to their identity.
In addition, horses and their connections to the Kazakhstanis trace centuries back. Kazakhstanis used horses back in the 13th century, and their forebears even rode along the Kazakhstan steppes with Genghis Khan (Kenyon, March 4, 2013). Military needs and services were not left behind. Horses served soldiers precisely because horses could move at incredibly high speeds. During the war, when soldiers ran out of essential resources such as food, the soldiers would milk some of the horses (Kenyon, March 4, 2013). Occasionally, they would obtain blood and meat from horses. A nation’s ability to stand against attacks is crucial, and in combination with the Kazakhstanis culture and their long historical link to horses, Kazakhstanis significantly value horses, and they do believe it reflects on their identity and values. Not only is the meat delicious, but also the mare’s milk.
Nutritional significance of horse meat
Although Kazakhstan highly values horsemeat from a cultural perspective, many nations around the world actually eat horse meat. In Italy, for example, horse meat was considered medicinally beneficial. Medical experts encouraged individuals to consume horse meat because it was highly rich in iron. Additionally, newborn mothers were encouraged by paediatricians to supplement their children’s diets and meals with horse meat. Like Kazakhstan, Italy also has a remarkable history with horses. Centuries ago, it would not be strange to spot quine butchers all over Italy. The laws in Italy are clear indications of the boundaries and laws set to govern horse meat slaughter and consumption in history. Italians were serious about horse meat, and laws were passed dictating the slaughter and consumption of horse meat. For instance, Benito Mussolini only allowed special butchers to sell their equine, but they were not allowed to restock on other meat types and cuts. This implies the perfectionism linked to the slaughter, handling and consumption of horse meat in Italy.
Equine meat is highly appreciated for its nutritional composition, being low in fat, cholesterol and high in iron. Compared to meat from other animals like cow, sheep, goat and lamb, horse meat leads to essential nutritional additions. In the late 1800s, most medical doctors prescribed the consumption of equine meat to cure patients who suffered from anaemia. In contemporary Italy, most people would find it quite normal to have horse meat prescribed for their dietary needs. Having a chat with most Italians, especially those from older generations, will boast and take pride in the benefits gained from consuming horse meat.
Furthermore, statistics show that most of the meat consumed in Italy, say 80%, is imported from other nations. Also, in the EU, Italy is equally ranked as the nation that consumes the largest volume of equine meat. Despite the taboo label by many nations, several regions in Italy consider horse meat as part of their traditions and culinary diets. There are as many butchery shops as chicken shops across different regions in Italy.
The history of Horse meat
Despite the rapid spread of various controversies surrounding the consumption of horse meat, many nations have always considered horse meat a traditional core meal and are largely accepted in those nations as delicacies. Since time in history, horse meat has been significantly rooted in the cuisine of many nations. Horse meat was widely accepted in French cuisine since it was spotted as a potential alternative to very expensive beef. As a result, horse meat has since gained undisputed popularity amongst the inhabitants of France.
Similarly, the United States of America also started slaughtering, consuming and making delicacies from horse meat. From the sixth century, stiff and strict nations such as Japan banned its citizens from consuming most animals with four legs. Even so, technology advanced globally at rapid speeds rendering animals such as horses worthless. They were no longer necessary to meet transportation needs. Farmers used advanced methods of production and halted the use of horses to further agricultural needs. Many began to see horses as a source of food.
Asians from the central regions still consider horse meat as the dominant source of protein, and it is commonly prepared alongside other dishes. Countries like Uzbekistan use the meat from horses to make Naryn, a common and popular food. Chefs in Kyrgyzstan use horse meat to make popular sausages. Regions such as Turkmenistan practice religious beliefs that forbid them from consuming pork and horse meat.
How horse meat tastes
According to several reviews, most people in Kazakhstan describe horse meat as similar and lean. One would compare the taste of horse meat to venison and beef. Many claim that horse meat has a sweet, gaminess taste that makes it delicious and suitable when prepared raw or cooked. Many people have confirmed that one can compare beef and horse meat on the basis of taste. Grilled horse meat tastes sweeter, with all the fats rendering down. While lower in calories and cholesterol, horse meat is healthier for the global population.
Leader in horse meat production and consumption
Horse meat is consumed by many countrymen and women, and it is equally consumed by people from other nations as well. FAO declared China as the world’s biggest producer, alongside consumers of horsemeat. In 2018 alone, China slaughtered 1.6 million horses alone that year. The yield was about 220,100 tons of horse meat. Additionally, FAO equally established that Kazakhstan is the second-ranked nation that eats horse meat.
Conclusion
Therefore, the consumption of horse meat in Kazakhstan is considered a vital cultural marker and an expression of the Kazakhstanis identity. Throughout their lives, they have interacted with horses on several occasions. The ancient nomads then took such horses and trained them to be used in sports alongside cultural activities. Horses are connected at deep levels with Kazakhstanis values and identity. It is as if they are inseparable. Their cuisine and traditional dishes with horse meat gain health benefits. For instance, horse meat is low in fat and cholesterol content. On the other hand, it has a higher iron content. Consuming horse meat can be tormenting in some parts of the world. Nevertheless, Kazakhstanis cherish horses and respect them as an integral part of their values, history and cultural or social importance.
References
Baudler, E. (n.d.). Horsemeat Consumption.
Brancatisano, T. (May 21, 2019). Eating horse meat in Italy. Casa Mia. Retrieved from https://casamiatours.com/eating-horse-meat-in-italy/
Horse Meat Won’t Hurt. (1943). JSTOR.
Kenyon, P. (March 4, 2013). In Kazakhstan, No Horror At Horse Meat. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/03/04/173448013/in-kazakhstan-no-horror-at-horse-meat
Kuandyk, A. (February 7, 2021). Horsemanship Still an Integral Part of Modern Kazakh People’s Heritage, Cultural Identity. The Astana Times. Retrieved from https://astanatimes.com/2021/02/horsemanship-still-an-integral-part-of-modern-kazakh-peoples-heritage-cultural-identity/
One Hundred Years Ago: Horse Meat. (n.d.). BMJ: British Medical Journal. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/29714481
One Hundred Years Ago: Horse Meat. (2023). JSTOR. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/29714481
Weil, K. (May 01, 2007). They Eat Horses, Don’t They? Hippophagy and Frenchness. The Journal for Food Studies. Retrieved from https://online.ucpress.edu/gastronomica/article-abstract/7/2/44/47335/They-Eat-Horses-Don-t-They-Hippophagy-and?redirectedFrom=fulltex
write