Traditions of the Kyrgyz

Would you like to watch a competition of horsemen called "ulak tartysh" — "goat pulling"? Or participate in the New Year celebration... on March 22 during the Nowruz holiday? Tourists traveling in Kyrgyzstan have such an opportunity. They can not only familiarize themselves with natural attractions, historical monuments, art, architecture, and modern economic objects, but also learn about the specifics of the material and spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people, delve into the peculiarities of their way of life and traditions. Those that have survived to this day trace their roots deep into antiquity, reflecting the uniqueness of the spiritual life of the people...

Like all peoples, one of the most important places in family celebrations is occupied by the wedding ceremony — colorful and solemn, accompanied by youth games, singing competitions — aitys, alternating singing — sarmerden, and other entertainments. The traditions associated with betrothal are equally interesting — both from the groom's side and from the bride's side, as well as their relatives. Tourists will learn about the feast that the groom provides to the bride's village 15-20 days before taking her to his village, that the bride, upon entering the yurt where the elder male relatives of her husband are sitting, must bow with her arms crossed on her chest; that the groom's father arrives in the bride's parents' village to negotiate the amount of kalym (bride price). Historically, the kalym was set at eighty horses and eight camels. If the matchmaker is refused, there is no shame for him, like for an envoy — a person who is inviolable — there is no death. On the contrary, according to the customs of the ancestors, matchmakers are generously rewarded.

In the old way of life, every adult was expected to know seven of their ancestors. If they did not know them, they were contemptuously called kul — slave. Marriages between relatives were only allowed outside of such kinship. Therefore, it was customary to marry after inquiring about genealogy — seven ascending generations. This is how a wife — the mother of future children — was carefully chosen. It is no coincidence that popular wisdom states: "The first wealth is health, the second is a wife." And thus, one of the most terrible oaths related to the taboo on incest is the woman's vow: that I would marry my father. How can one not recall the story of Pygmalion.

Formed over centuries, family and domestic traditions reflect the accumulated wisdom of many generations. High morality is manifested in exceptional respect for elders, especially parents. A popular proverb reflecting the old customary law states: "For a young man, the first kin is his tribe, the second is his wife's kin, the third is his mother's kin."



A distinctive feature of the Kyrgyz has always been and remains their warm hospitality. You already know that you cannot leave a Kyrgyz's home without a gift. But you also cannot leave the table without tasting a piece of food — there is no greater silent insult to the hosts. And conversely — not offering a Kyrgyz who has come to your home a cup or bowl of tea means to offend him deeply with your complete inattentiveness. This custom has firmly entered the lives of all residents of the republic, regardless of nationality.

Tea is an essential attribute of the Asian table and friendly conversation. Those living in Central Asia hardly notice that this ordinary drink has become a symbol of friendly dialogue between people, a subtle yet indispensable companion.

Joyful and solemn family celebrations have always included and are now revived in the "Jentek Toy" — a feast on the occasion of a child's birth. In the yurt of the expectant mother, melted butter is prepared for treats, and those congratulating usually bring gifts. Another joyful event is the "Tushooke-suu" — the cutting of the thread — a common thread — on the child's feet on their anniversary: the new family member takes their first independent steps in front of all relatives.

The Kyrgyz families also celebrate the ritual "Otko kirgizish" — "worship of fire." The roots of this ritual lie in its very name. For worshiping fire is worshiping the home, good family relationships, and the hearth. From a poetic motif, we learn: the beauty of fire is in the flame when the pot is boiling vigorously on it. About a man, it was said: the head of the family hearth — fire. The custom is also related to introducing the bride to the family hearth of her husband: before this, she has no right to show herself to her father-in-law and other adult men from her husband's family, and only after she puts fat in the fire — she becomes an equal member of the new family.

In recent years, the holiday of spring, the renewal of nature has again been widely celebrated Nowruz. Previously, it was associated with the New Year celebration according to the Muslim calendar and was accompanied in the evening by a large bonfire with symbolic "purification," and a festive feast. These traditions are still remembered in the villages, while in cities, Nowruz is celebrated in concert halls, squares, and parks, accompanied by fairs and mass public festivities.



Among the traditional holidays of the past that have reached us, we can also name the very beautiful and joyful "Jer-Suu-Tayuu", associated with the awakening of nature, and the holiday "Koch" — the relocation to a new place. One of the most interesting traditions that has developed over centuries and has now acquired a new social meaning is aitys — a competition of akyns, who spontaneously compose poems and songs accompanied by the komuz. The poetry of the Kyrgyz people is closely linked to their traditions and customs, which can be categorized into such genres: ritual; cultic (spells that protect from diseases and disasters); family and domestic, related to nomadic livestock breeding; didactic (moralizing poetry); lyrical (love songs); epic (poems narrating the campaigns of heroes, significant events, heroic deeds). Special mention should be made of the legendary epic "Manas" — a monumental work of oral folk art that reflects the centuries-old history and all aspects of the life of the Kyrgyz people.

What interest can mythology, legends, and sayings of the people evoke! Only in Kyrgyzstan can you hear about the goddess of fertility Umaï. Embodying the feminine principle, Umaï protects the home and children. It is to her that midwives turn during childbirth, and healers — when treating children. In years of good harvest, it was said: "From the breast of Umaï-ene — that is, mother Umaï — milk flows." Umaï was considered the wife of the supreme deity Tengri — the sky. With the adoption of Islam, Umaï became identified with Batma Zuur.

The Kyrgyz have also preserved many legends. About kumayik — a mythical dog from which no beast can hide, born from a predatory bird, the griffon. About Chubak — the missing hero of the Kyrgyz epic, viru, that is, the penalty for murder, for which the Kyrgyz, according to legend, demanded from one people or another.

About the mite demon, who appears as an old woman in rags and lives in the mountains, in the forest, far from human dwellings; she lures girls into her hut and stealthily sucks blood from their knees — when the victim weakens, the mite eats her.

The Kyrgyz have always, like any other people, enjoyed telling you many such folk fantasies. The first Russian settlers were amazed by the continuous flow of poetic improvisation and said: whatever these people saw, everything evokes new fantasies. Later, upon closer inspection, they saw a complex poetry that reflects the poetic ability to transport oneself to yesterday or tomorrow, to distant places, when one needs to forget their own identity and imagine themselves as the person they portray... Behind this is undoubtedly a high artistic gift.

The folk proverbs, rich in imagery and expression, are interesting, connected with the ancient culture of the Kyrgyz: "He who has no horse has no legs," "A horse is the wings of a young man" — such proverbs are not coincidental for a nomadic culture. And how accurate the observation is: regarding the onset of summer, the Kyrgyz say that "the horse's tongue has turned black"...

The most ordinary things are filled with symbolism. For example, an ordinary scarf. As a sign that a girl has become a wife, she will tie a headscarf upon arriving at her husband's home. Agree, this is much more delicate and modest than displaying a sheet in the morning. They will also gift a scarf — a piece of new fabric — to a child who is brought or brought for the first time to the home of acquaintances. Compare this with a similar custom among the Caucasian peoples: a child sitting at the table must be given a gift, even if only money.

The traditions of folk beliefs are also interesting. Travelers may see an unusual sight. Some roadside bush is completely adorned with ragged pieces of cloth. This is also a relic of pagan tradition: a request to the higher powers to protect from diseases, to heal a loved one. Simple and straightforward. But you will encounter many bushes decorated like a New Year tree. And the cheerful mood evaporates completely — a symbol of human suffering. Who knows, maybe you will also tie a similar offering...



The observations of the traveler and their direct participation in customs will complement the guides' stories about the tradition of kalym, about the sacred holiday for Muslims jumah — Friday, about how Allah punishes a man for infidelity to his wife, and much, much more that has developed over centuries in cultural tradition. It is no coincidence that the Kyrgyz proverb states: "Not every custom is a custom, but a reasonable one is a custom."

Tourists will have many opportunities to get acquainted with national traditions and rituals in all their diversity of colors and details. They can encounter them in everyday life, at family celebrations, taking advantage of the traditional hospitality of the Kyrgyz people, and during national holidays, at theatrical performances organized by professional and amateur artists in theaters, clubs, cultural palaces, stadiums, and racetracks.

Payment of kalym
Bride kidnapping
Chechkor holiday
Blessing (BATA BERUU) and announcement of joyful news (SUYUNCHULOO)
Naming of the infant (AT KOYUU) and putting on a horse (ATKA MINGIZUU)
Cradle holiday (BESHIK TOY)
Cutting of the thread (TUSHOO KESUU) and circumcision ritual (SUNNOT TOY)
Nowruz (New Year)