The study of the sedentary dwellings of the southern Kyrgyz allows us to draw some conclusions.
Settlements and estates among the southern Kyrgyz emerged at different times. The southwestern Kyrgyz (ichkilyaks) transitioned to sedentary living significantly earlier than the others. We were unable to obtain precise data on the timing of their transition to adobe dwellings, but by the mid-19th century, sedentary living already existed among the southern Kyrgyz. The presence of houses of the Pamir type suggests that the Kyrgyz mastered this type of dwelling much earlier.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a mass construction of houses in the southwestern regions of the area and partially in the east. During this time, houses of various Ferghana types were predominantly built. In the eastern part of the region, the most intensive construction began during the period of collectivization. Here, houses of a mixed type were mainly built.
The construction of houses by the Kyrgyz of the ichkilik group was strongly influenced by Tajiks and Uzbeks. This is evidenced by the preservation of their characteristic building techniques, terms, forms of housing, and estates. At the same time, connections with Eastern Turkestan are noted. The construction of eastern Turkestan adobe dwellings shows great similarity to the houses mastered by the southern Kyrgyz.
However, in the settlement patterns, the location of estates, and the planning of residential houses, the southern Kyrgyz developed their own features, determined by the nature of their economy, natural conditions, and ethnic traditions. Although the Kyrgyz still retain tribal remnants expressed in settlement by kin groups, their settlements do not have the dead ends and narrow streets with high fences characteristic of settled Uzbeks and Tajiks.
In the eastern part of the Osh region, the influence of Russian culture is very noticeable, which began after the annexation of Southern Kyrgyzstan to Russia (the construction of houses with gable roofs, the retention of Russian terms, the introduction of new elements into the interior decoration of houses). Here, the similarity is more with the housing of the northern part of the region than with the southwestern part, where the influence of Russians in the past was significantly less.
The transition to sedentariness brought about significant changes in everyday life, but many traditions of nomadic life have been preserved for a long time (settlement by kin groups, the arrangement of a hearth on the floor in the house, and the presence of a smoke outlet in the roof). As residual phenomena that still exist today, one can note the presence of a "zhuka" (a type of low table) and eating on the floor.
Since the time of the transition to collectivization, the social differences in the architecture of dwellings and their interior decoration, as well as in the fencing of estates, which existed during the period of the Kokand Khanate and the emergence of capitalist relations in southern Kyrgyzstan, have disappeared.
Now there is a widespread trend towards the construction of houses that have been developed based on close contact with the peoples of southern Kyrgyzstan and incorporate all their best traditions. The old-style houses no longer satisfy the increased cultural needs of the collective farmers. Almost everywhere, new houses are built on cemented high foundations, with large windows and double frames, wide verandas, and more advanced heating stoves.
Raw brick is most often used as a building material. However, despite having several advantages over other building materials made by artisanal methods, brick requires a significant amount of time and labor. Given the intensive construction of houses currently observed in collective farm villages, it is to be expected that soon there will be mass production of basic construction components, which will not only accelerate the pace of construction but also free up time for collective farmers for more productive labor.
Recently, especially since the consolidation of collective farms, there has been significant development in the construction of standard houses. These are built by collective farm administrations for collective farmers. However, the universal standard developed by design and construction organizations, almost without variations and without taking into account the climatic features of the south, the duration of the hot period, and the habits and artistic tastes of collective farmers, often does not satisfy the population.
The transition to the socialist mode of production has led to changes in the nature of economic buildings. The main ones now are: premises for dairy cattle and storage, fuel. Stables and sheds are no longer built. The former glory of the horse in personal farming is fading.
Radical changes are occurring nowadays in the interior decoration of dwellings. More and more items of urban furnishings are entering the lives of collective farmers. They testify to cultural skills and new elements of the socialist way of life in southern Kyrgyz villages.
A new style of decoration is emerging. Characteristic of it is the strict order of placement of necessary items. The need for new furniture is increasing. Collective farmers are increasingly demanding wardrobes for clothes, bookshelves. There is a growing desire to acquire radios, televisions, and musical instruments (in addition to national "komuz" and "dombra" — balalaikas, guitars, accordions).
Thus, in the decoration of modern collective farm houses, the best folk traditions and urban trends are combined.
With the growth of the prosperity of collective farms, the cultural landscape of the villages is changing significantly, having transformed compared to the beginning of collective farm construction. New villages are being built with straight streets, while old ones are undergoing major redevelopment. Settlements are being electrified and radio-equipped. More collective orchards are being cultivated.
The diverse social life that has replaced the previously underdeveloped and limited interests, the construction of new cultural and household institutions of modern architecture — schools, clubs, cinemas, children's nurseries, medical points — are causing deeper transformations in the life of the collective peasantry of Southern Kyrgyzstan.
Estate without a yard and fence in Southern Kyrgyzstan
