Novelty Store in Texas Offers Shoppers a Glimpse Into Kazakh Culture

Nestled in the historic shopping district of Old Town Spring, just north of Houston, The Kazakh House, Nomadic Store stands out. Its cerulean fascade and circular storefront sign, posted above the store’s entrance—a take on the golden sun (altyn kün) suspended against the eternal blue sky (kök aspan)—intimate prosperity and good fortune.

And there extending the warmest of well-wishes, storeowner Saltanat Bolat stands under bands of ornamental rope and a banner bedecking the storefront. Both textiles, termed arqan and kesteli bau, respectively, in Kazakh, hold especial meaning for Bolat. Both were crafted decades ago by the hands of her own grandmother back in Mongolia’s westernmost aimag (province) of Kazakh Bayan-Ölgii, bordering Russia, China and Kazakhstan.

Having traveled halfway around the world in 2023 with her two sons to make a new life just outside of Houston, Bolat, now in her mid-30s draws inspiration from both handmade items.

For her, opening a Kazakh store in the middle of Texas, thousands of miles away from her home country, does more than just put food on the table. It has afforded Bolat the opportunity to preserve and promote her heritage. And like that, the argan, made of horsehair, and the bau, knitted from sheep wool, do more than just remind her of where she comes from. They direct her to where her true purpose lies—in keeping alive her nomadic heritage and ancestry.

“I feel that my shop has soul. It’s not just decorated; it has real unique pieces of Kazakh traditional nomadic culture,” she says, adding, “Those ropes traveled with my grandparents for years and absorbed nomadic life. They even have the smell of true nomadic life.”

First opened on May 20 of this year, The Kazakh House features a variety of handmade clothes, hats, bags and souvenirs imported from her hometown of Bayan-Ölgii and Kazakhstan. Standouts include light, flowing dresses adorned with floral motifs and Kazakh tamga (ornamental patterns) that reflect the traditions Bolat grew up with and yet modern enough to fashion anywhere. Also, among her collection of items, handheld purses feature Kazakh tamga too and are big enough to hold cell phones, cards and keys. “My favorite items are these purses because they were made in Mongolia by Kazakh girls that live in my Kazakh village,” she says.

The novelty gift shop also features a backroom fitted to resemble a traditional Kazakh kyiz üy (yurt). Layers of zher toshok (floor mats for sitting), shalpans (traditional robes of honor) and women’s koylek (camisoles) provide an air of coziness and warmth. Above, a chandelier fixedmwith a shanyraq (the central opening of the yurt that holds the yurt together and symbol of Kazakh identity) roots the ambiance within Kazakh identity.

It's here that Bolat and her store come alive, as she is able to engage guests and customers in Kazakh hospitality of tea and sweets while promoting her culture.

This generosity typical of Central Asian nomadic culture become evident even among Kazakhs who frequent The Kazakh House. For Raigul Mukasheva, who has lived in Texas since 2018 and has advised entrepreneurs wanting to set up shop in the United States, this reception for guests has attracted people curious for Kazakh tradition and culture. “The Kazakh House would offer authentic Kazakh products, as well as food and experiences that are hard to find in the US, attracting customers interested in exploring a new culture,” Mukasheva says.

Already, Bolat has introduced the space as a place for connecting to Kazakh culture and heritage. In mid-July, The Kazakh House hosted a workshop entitled, “Kazakh Ornaments and Patterns,” organized by Beibit Asemkul, a Kazakh artist based in the US. The event welcomed eight guests and demonstrated the goal of creating community around Kazakh customs and traditions. “I felt proud because it was what I wanted to learn more and share with other people. I thought my shop was perfect place to have such event because the shop is all about Kazakh ornaments and traditions,” Bolat says.

And later this month, The Kazakh House will take part in a series of master classes centered on Kazakh visual arts. And it’s in these events she feels most strongly the shop’s prosperity resides. “I want to host Kazakh teatime events, art and dombra lessons. Or anything that can advertise Kazakh culture and help out Kazakh people here that can offer anything special to promote our culture,” Bolat says.