Kazakhstan’s Mangystau To Host First-Ever Ak Maya Fest Honoring Camel’s Milk and Culture

The Ak Maya Fest, a major cultural event celebrating music, traditions, agriculture, and nature-with a special focus on shubat (camel’s milk)-will be held for the first time on August 16 at the picturesque Mount Airakty in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region.

The festival will feature three main segments: a symphonic performance set amid the natural landscape that fuses music with the sounds of wind and steppe; an evening stage showcasing performances by Kazakh artists such as Raim, Yerke Yesmakhan, and Ulytau, followed by a spectacular light show; and a late-night program with techno music, laser effects, and drone displays, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Beyond concerts, the festival will include tasting zones and art yurts where visitors can sample and learn to prepare traditional foods like shubat, kurt (dried salted cheese), kozhe (a seven-ingredient dish served during Nauryz), suzbe (cottage cheese), and balkaimak (sour cream). For the first time in Kazakhstan, a range of cocktails made with shubat-including Shubat Mojito and White Steppe-will be available.

Organizers anticipate attracting at least 10,000 visitors, many of whom will explore Mangystau for the first time. The event is already boosting hotel bookings, drawing tour operators, and supporting local small businesses.

Ak Maya Fest is designed as a long-term initiative to promote the regional brand, support local farmers, develop event tourism, and enhance the region’s reputation.

Similar camel milk festivals have been successful internationally. Mongolia’s Thousand Camel Festival features polo games, races, and fermented milk tastings, while the UAE’s Al Dhafra Festival hosts a prestigious camel milk competition with prize funds in the tens of millions of dirhams. These festivals help preserve cultural heritage while driving growth in trade, agriculture, and tourism.