Blacksmithing
In the last century, blacksmiths primarily served the household needs of families and the requirements of their farms.
In their forges, Kyrgyz people welded tips for plowing tools (“omach”), forged sickles (“orok”), hoes (“ketmen”), axes (balta, kol tesh), and picks (chukuldik). All the main tools for processing metal, as well as wood, were made by the blacksmiths themselves. They fulfilled orders for making parts of harness (stirrups, reins, buckles), traps. Blacksmiths also made weapons, but we were unable to gather enough data on this.
Each blacksmith could make a razor (ustara), an awl (shivige), a knife (“pychak”), a fire starter (chakmak)—in general, the entire set of items that men used to carry at their belts. All craftsmen also made musical instruments such as the Jew's harp (temir komuz, ooz komuz, komuz til).
Local blacksmiths produced most of the modestly assorted metal utensils used in the daily life of nomads: scrapers for cleaning pots (kyrgych), scissors (kaichy), tongs for coal (atash kurak), pot supports (tulga), hook-like anchors for hanging various items, ears, rings for attaching strings to various wooden vessels, brackets for chests, doors, nails, and other small household items (see image).
In addition, blacksmiths were engaged in shoeing horses and making horseshoes.
Some metal utensils were purchased by the Kyrgyz population at the markets of Uzbekistan and Kashgar. This mainly includes teapots (kumgan), washing devices (chylapchyn, aptava), as well as some household items brought from Russia, especially pots.
The technical methods used by Kyrgyz craftsmen were almost indistinguishable from those of blacksmiths from other nations of Central Asia—Uzbeks, Uighurs. There is much in common in the shape and names of tools, and in the items produced. Primitive blacksmith bellows for blowing fire, made from one or two goat skins, began to be replaced by more advanced ones in the early 20th century. The anvil (dosh, sandal) usually had a square surface, sometimes with a projection. Some craftsmen made a depression in the ground near the anvil, where they worked. They used charcoal made from juniper, apricot, and apple trees for their work.
A large heavy hammer—bazgan—is an essential tool in the set of blacksmithing tools. Previously, as old masters recount, it had a one-sided shape, but later they began to make it double-sided. During the metalworking process, the master changes tools, using hammers of various shapes and weights depending on the item being made (see image).
In every forge, there is always a tool symtarach, with which blacksmiths trim growths from hooves; old nails are pulled out with tongs kychkach. The piece of iron being worked is held with tongs called ambyr. Generally, there are usually several varieties of this tool in the forge, differing in size and purpose.
A file is an essential tool in the forge.
Blacksmiths were brought knives, sickles, and scissors to sharpen; they were sharpened on a common sharpening device found in Central Asia (chark). The sharpening stone—chark tash—was bought, but some masters made it themselves.
The antiquity of blacksmithing in the territory of Kyrgyzstan is evidenced by numerous archaeological monuments. Some of them are highlighted in the work of A. F. Burkovsky. It is necessary to note the great similarity in the shape of tools made in Kyrgyzstan in the 10th-11th centuries with Kyrgyz products of the 19th century.
Some of the oldest blacksmiths still revere the legendary figure of Dёyot Paygambar as the patron of blacksmithing. Dёyot is traditionally considered the patron of masters of iron, silver, and metal in general. In all the legends associated with him, it is emphasized that Dёyot was an exceptionally skilled blacksmith. According to legends, he invented this craft. Kyrgyz masters envision Dёyot only as the patron of iron processing masters.
Secondly, what is typical of these legends is the secrecy of the craft's secrets, known only to Dёyot. As soon as these secrets are revealed, the patron disappears without a trace. However, his craft is mastered. Moreover, the mastered craft becomes even more perfect.
Before starting work, Kyrgyz masters would turn to the patron for help. According to the masters' beliefs, the patron Dёyot supposedly lived among the Kyrgyz, specifically in the south. A mausoleum was built in his honor at the place where he sat. Until recently, it was visited as a sacred place (mazar).
In the conditions of the collective farm system, blacksmithing has acquired a completely different character. Both the working conditions and the range of products produced have changed. The blacksmith now works in a collective farm, serving public needs. In a well-equipped forge with an improved furnace and a large mechanical blower, several blacksmiths provide for the needs of horse and automobile transport, making spare parts for agricultural machines. The personal needs of the population have also changed. People bring to the blacksmith for repairs primuses, kerosene stoves, electric plates, separators, bicycles, and motorcycles.
Many blacksmiths acquire a second specialty as locksmiths.
Metalworking and Jewelry Making of the Kyrgyz in the Late 19th - Early 20th Century.