Pile Carpet Weaving.
Russian researchers studying Central Asian carpets also noted Kyrgyz pile products, which possess high artistic merits (Bogolyubov, 1908-1909; Felkerzam, 1914-1915; Semenov, 1911; Dudin, 1929; Razvadovsky, 1916; Moshkova, 1954; Kumachenko, 1920; Antipina, 1962, pp. 65-95; Antipina, 1968; Umetalieva, 1966; Abramzon, 1971; and others).
Carpet weaving is more widespread in the southern part of the country, with hereditary carpet weavers mainly residing in the Naukat district (in particular, in the village of "Kash-kaldak" among descendants of the clan subgroup ichkilik), Batken, and Laylak districts.
Creating a carpet takes from one to two weeks to a month or more, and carpet weaving is done in the summer during free time from agricultural work. The yarn is prepared in advance, and on the day of the loom setup, the hostess announces kilem dukyon: by tradition, neighbors, close relatives, and often men gather.
The basis of the carpet is created by the customer of the future product, an experienced craftswoman who leads the process, the direct carpet weavers, and several assistants. If the carpet is large (3x5 m), 4-5 weavers work on it, for a medium-sized product (2.5 x 4 m) - 3-4 weavers, and for a smaller size (1.5 x 2 m) - 1 or 2. While the loom is being set up, the hostess prepares refreshments, usually slaughtering a sheep. For those working on the carpet, sevet (flatbreads and sweets wrapped in a dastarkhan) is prepared, and each artisan is presented with small gifts. From the 2nd or 3rd day of work, neighbors, relatives, and in-laws (mainly women) are invited to view the carpet (kilem keruu). Neighbors bring wrapped refreshments, and the closest relatives of the carpet hostess also bring gifts (pieces of fabric for dresses, scarves, etc.).
From the moment work on the carpet begins until its completion at the viewing, almost all relatives of the hosts must visit. They come in turn with dastarkhan and gifts - this is considered a kind of help from close people, a unique form of their participation in the creation of the carpet. Carpet weavers and artisans of felt-making have a tradition of gifting close people uchuk (braided pieces of carpet yarn made as souvenirs).
A person who receives uchuk is obliged to thank those working with refreshments, and in some cases, with gifts (perfumes, powders, scarves, etc.). The completion of work is marked with refreshments: often a sheep is slaughtered, relatives and neighbors are invited, and the artisans are seated in a place of honor (ter) and necessarily on the carpet they wove. After the refreshments, the artisans are thanked, and gifts are given according to their level of participation and skill in the work.
Koshmovalyanie among the Kyrgyz