Processing and Preparation of Wool

In the nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz, wool found wide application. Wool products and materials made from it were used for arranging and decorating dwellings, clothing, and crafting items related to riding and pack transport. Wool was used to make ropes, mats, and other household and economic items. Sheep's wool was most commonly used, along with goat and camel wool. For yarn and weaving, spring shearing wool was preferred. Autumn shearing wool was used to make felt.


Beating wool with rods. Naukat district

Most fabrics in the past were also made from sheep's wool. The best wool was considered to be that sheared from a sheep after its first lambing. Camel wool intended for fabric production was taken from the animal's back, with particular value placed on fabric made from the wool of young camels. Goat wool was used in carpet making.

Felt products have not lost their significance in the everyday life of the Kyrgyz even today.

In all cases, wool undergoes necessary processing before use: it is washed, beaten, and if needed, dyed. It is washed in running water. Beating (sabaa) is done with a pair of long rods. With rhythmic strong strikes of either the right or left hand, the wool becomes fluffy and cleaner, as impurities are separated during the blows.


Sorting wool. Uzgen district.

There is also a widely practiced method of sorting wool by hand — jun tytyu, although it requires more time. It is used in cases where wool is prepared for weaving or various types of braiding, where whole, unbroken fibers are important, as well as for creating overlay patterns. From the beaten wool, strips (called tuidek) about one and a half fingers thick are pulled and rolled into a ball. This work is usually done by women and girls.