Rope weaving. Batken district.
In the economic life of the Kyrgyz, the lasso has wide applications. In the past, the nomadic livestock economy had a daily need for this type of wool product. Therefore, the Kyrgyz are well-versed in the technique of making lassos, which were previously sold in large quantities. Until recently, the production of lassos was based on manual labor.
For making a lasso, wool from all domestic animals is used, including yaks. Animal hair is also mixed with the wool (in this case, the lasso is called "kyl arkan").
The production of a lasso can be divided into three stages: 1) forming a cord, 2) twisting a thin twine, and 3) braiding the lasso from these twines.
The craftswoman takes unwashed wool in her hands, pulls out a strip about 20-25 cm long, and quickly twists it on her palms to straighten it. A cord is formed, which she then bends, and it folds in half. The craftswomen do this while sitting on a mat laid on the ground. A bowl of water is placed nearby, which the craftswoman occasionally uses to moisten her hands.
From the prepared cords, twine is braided. This type of work involves connecting and twisting the cords. The craftswoman takes the cords one by one, straightens them, connects the ends, and then twists them with her palms. As the twisted twine builds up, part of it is wound around the toe of her extended left foot. The process of making twine from cords is called "jip eshuu."
The twine, about 1.5 cm thick, is quite strong, durable, and widely used in economic life and daily activities. It is used to make ties for sheep, calves, foals, and goats; it is used to bind loads, secure parts of yurts, and as reins, among other things.
A lasso about 3 cm thick is twisted from three long pieces of twine. It can withstand a heavy load. No wonder lassos made by the Kyrgyz are so highly valued.
Four people twist the lasso, including men. The ends of the three twines are passed through a door beam or through the crossbars of a diamond-shaped opening in the yurt in such a way that one rope goes over the beam, and two go underneath, and they are sewn together. One person holds them from behind the wall of the yurt or from behind the door. Each of the three others, pulling tightly, holds the end of the twine and, rotating it in one direction (for convenience, sticks or wooden spoons are attached to the ends of the ropes), periodically takes the place of a neighbor. The sewn end of the twines is systematically twisted and pulled as the lasso is formed. This process continues until all three participants are close to the secured spot.
