The Culture of the Kyrgyz from Ancient Times to the 6th Century

The cultures of the ancient peoples of Kyrgyzstan are considered in close connection with one another. For example, since the Saka burial mounds are little different from the common Saka burials, scholars refer to the Saka and Usun burial mounds with a single term — Saka-Usun mounds. Such mounds have been discovered in both the Issyk-Kul region and the Chui Valley. While studying Usun monuments, scholars find similarities with the culture of the Huns. The culture of the Huns, in turn, is close to the culture of the ancient Kyrgyz.

The altars, lamps, conical cauldrons with legs, and other items found on the territory of Kyrgyzstan testify to the high level of development of applied art among the Sakas, Usuns, and other tribes. Among the finds, the abundance of items depicting various animals — running goats, predators — is striking, which relates to examples of "animal style" art.

The thematic content of the discovered decorations and jewelry made of gold, bronze, and ceramics reflects the worldview and philosophical views of the ancient nomadic population of Kyrgyzstan.

The main food of the Sakas, Usuns, Huns, and Kyrgyz consisted of meat and milk. From wool and plant fibers, they spun fabric for clothing. They also used animal skins for these purposes. Archaeological finds indicate a high level of craft development — horse harness and leather gear, distinctive pointed felt hats, various types of ceramic dishes, ceramic spindles, products made of bone, bronze, stone grain grinders, and metal jewelry (made of gold, bronze, copper), iron arrowheads.

The Huns had a special cult of the horse. The horse was viewed not only as a means of transporting goods. It played a special role and significance in war and hunting. Additionally, the horse was a source of products rich in essential nutrients — meat and milk. Camels held an important place in the economy of the Huns, serving as invaluable means of transportation, especially across challenging terrains like the Alashan and Gobi deserts. Like other nomads, the Huns raised sheep, goats, yaks, and cows.

The characteristic ornamentation motifs of the Huns were adopted by other Turkic peoples, including the Kyrgyz. These ornaments were widely used in carpet weaving, embroidery, and the making of shyrdaks and kiyizes.

The main type of dwelling for the nomadic population, including the Kyrgyz, was the yurt, adapted to their constant nomadic lifestyle. The portable structure of the yurt allowed for quick assembly or disassembly of the dwelling, making it easy to transport from place to place.