The History of the Economy of Southern Kyrgyz in the 19th Century

In the history of the economy of southern Kyrgyzstan, the 19th century was a turning point: they began to transition from the main form of economy—animal husbandry—to agriculture. This process had been partially observed earlier, but in the 19th century, it took on a more intensive character. The degree of development and spread of agriculture was determined by socio-economic factors, although it also significantly depended on natural and geographical conditions, which influenced the types of economies.

The nature of the southern part of the Osh region is rich and diverse. Its relief, formed by the mountain ranges of Pamir-Alai and Tien Shan, includes the southern part of the vast Fergana Valley. High mountains, covered with eternal snows and rich in tree, shrub, or herbaceous vegetation, are combined with ridges, intermountain high plateaus, narrow gorges, and spacious fertile valleys. From ancient times, two types of economies have developed here: pasture-animal husbandry and agriculture.

In the Alai region (as well as in the basin of the ALAIKU River), transhumant-pastoral animal husbandry predominated, facilitated by the presence of excellent natural pastures. The picturesque Alai Valley, located at an altitude of 3000-3200 m above sea level between the Alai and Zaalai mountain ranges, has long attracted nomads with its lush vegetation, which has high nutritional qualities. To this day, it is renowned as the largest area for transhumant-pastoral animal husbandry and has inter-republican significance, similar to Suusamyr in northern Kyrgyzstan. Agriculture in the Alai region was supplementary, and bread was mostly imported. Agriculture developed in the basins of the Kara-Kuldja and Tar rivers. The natural conditions of this area are favorable for both agriculture and animal husbandry.

In other places, alongside irrigated agriculture (in the valleys of the Kok-Suu, Isfara, Sukh, and Laylak rivers), rain-fed agriculture was also being developed: houses were being established. At the same time, in the mountainous parts of these regions, the natural conditions favored the preservation of pastoral economies.

It is characteristic that of the total area used for various crops, two-thirds were under rain-fed lands and only one-third under irrigated lands.

Although by the early 20th century, agriculture had already taken firm positions, the transition to it was not always associated with a break from animal husbandry. Due to deep traditions, animal husbandry continued to occupy a prominent place in Kyrgyz economy, but centuries-old nomadic skills and pastoral economies gradually gave way to settled, agricultural ones.

At that time, nomadic herding with livestock grazing in summer, autumn, and winter pastures was still based on a communal-tribal principle. In large common pastures, a specific territory was assigned to each community or group of ails.

Kyrgyz people raised sheep, goats, horses, camels, and cattle. The leading branch of animal husbandry was sheep breeding. The sheep were predominantly of the Kyrgyz breed with fat tails, known for their great endurance and high meat yield, though they had coarse wool. In the southwestern regions, they raised Hissar breed sheep (ysar koy). Goat breeding developed significantly here compared to other regions.

They preferred two-humped camels. In 1913, their numbers were already low, and they were primarily owned by wealthy households. In the western regions, there were significantly fewer camels than in the eastern ones, which is likely explained by the longer preservation of nomadic traditions in the latter.

Cows were kept everywhere. Dairy products were used for family needs. Bulls served as draft power in agricultural economies. In Alai (as well as in Eastern Pamir), yaks were raised, valued not only for their high-quality dairy products but also as indispensable pack animals well adapted to high-altitude conditions.

Horses were mainly of the Kyrgyz breed, widely used not only for riding (and for packing) but also for obtaining kumys. In the western regions, donkeys were used in households.

Among the cultivated agricultural crops, spring wheat and barley occupied the main place, with the latter being predominantly grown in high-altitude areas. They also sowed millet in the past, but, according to the elders, its sowing has gradually decreased. Corn was mainly sown in the northeastern and western regions. In these same regions, rice was cultivated. In the west, Kyrgyz people sowed jujube (a type of sorghum).

By the early 20th century, southern Kyrgyz people had mastered cotton as a technical crop, and melons and watermelons as garden crops.

Under the influence of neighboring settled agricultural populations, small gardens appeared among the Kyrgyz (mainly in the southwestern regions), where they grew onions, carrots, and herbs. In household plots, at the beginning of the 20th century, some households began to plant fruit trees and vineyards. In the households of large beys and feudal nobility, apricot trees (uruk) were grown on large areas.

Despite the introduction of new crops into economic circulation, land cultivation and harvest were carried out with the most primitive tools. The universal tool was the ketmen (hoe). They plowed with a wooden plow (omach) with an iron tip. Only in certain areas of the northeastern part of the region, under the influence of Russians, did the plow appear. They harvested crops with sickles (orok). Grain was threshed with the help of horses and bulls. For transporting hay and harvest from rain-fed lands in mountainous areas, they used a sled (chiyne). In the western part of the Alai Valley, in addition, sleds borrowed from Tajiks (chigina) were used.

As everywhere among the Kyrgyz, hunting occupied a certain place in the economy. They hunted wild animals with flintlock guns.