News about Kyrgyzstan, tourism, attractions, Kyrgyz cuisine, history, traditions, and customs

Culture

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Epigraphy
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Folklore
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Kyrgyz heroic epic "Manas"
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The epic "Manas" in prose
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Poetic retelling of the epic "Manas"
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"Semetey" - poetic story
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"Semetey" in prose
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Religion
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Ethnography
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National games
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Customs
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Myths and legends
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Kyrgyz fairy tales
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Kyrgyz cuisine
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Meat and offal dishes
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Soups of Kyrgyzstan
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Main dishes of Kyrgyzstan
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Sweet dishes of Kyrgyzstan
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Drinks of Kyrgyzstan
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Salads and appetizers
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Flour products
The Culture of Nutrition Among the Kyrgyz Has a Deep History
Culture / Kyrgyz cuisine

The Culture of Nutrition Among the Kyrgyz Has a Deep History

The food culture of the Kyrgyz has a deep history. The formation of its main ethno-cultural features occurred in parallel with the development of the entire culture of the Kyrgyz people over several millennia and is closely linked to the general processes of the establishment and development of the nomadic civilization of Eurasia. The traditional food system of the Kyrgyz represents a variant of the general Turkic-Mongolian food system based on the economic and cultural type of nomadic animal

17.09.2014, 00:01
What does the greeting custom "Assalamu Alaikum" mean?
Ethnography

What does the greeting custom "Assalamu Alaikum" mean?

The greeting of all Muslims begins with the words "Assalamu Alaikum." The custom of greeting each other with the words “Assalamu Alaikum” and “Wa Alaikum Assalam” has been passed down from our ancestors. Unfortunately, recently, especially among the youth and schoolchildren, it is starting to be forgotten. Greeting and responding to greetings is a sign of respect from a person. At present, when the question of strengthening interethnic friendship in a democratic society arises, this

28.08.2014, 15:03
Folklore / Music videos

Kyrgyz Dance

Kyrgyz Dance On August 13, a music video titled "Kyrgyz Dance" was released in Bishkek. The lyrics were written by poet Kiyalbek Urmambetov. The music was composed by Azamat Otunchiev and Mirlan Niyazov. The performer is Sultan Sadyraliev.

14.08.2014, 10:27
Ethnic Origins and Stages of Formation of the Kyrgyz Nationality
Ethnography

Ethnic Origins and Stages of Formation of the Kyrgyz Nationality

The formation of the Kyrgyz people is connected with ethnic processes in ancient and medieval times across the territory from Sayan-Altai and Mongolia to Eastern Turkestan and Tian Shan, historically spanning more than one and a half millennia and concluding only in the 16th century.

25.05.2014, 17:06
The Legend of the Extermination of the Kyrgyz and the Mother-Deer
Myths and legends

The Legend of the Extermination of the Kyrgyz and the Mother-Deer

Mother-Deer An ancient unwritten law of human existence states: when a person is mourned and honored on their final journey, people must forget about enmity and revenge. No matter how strong the motives may be, on such a day, blood cannot be shed. But the dishonorable and conscience-less people violated this law. Hiding in the forest, the enemies waited for the right moment... ... No one had time to grab a weapon, mount a horse, or call for help. An unprecedented massacre began. They slashed

16.05.2014, 20:08
Origins of Geographical Names
Ethnography

Origins of Geographical Names

What science studies the origins of geographical names? Every person can easily list hundreds of geographical objects related to their place of residence: villages, cities, rivers. When studying the past, their names can tell us a lot. Try to find out why this area or river is called one way and not another. You will surely hear interesting stories. Scientists have long established that due to their stability, geographical names serve as ancient monuments that allow us to penetrate the depths

13.05.2014, 17:49
Genealogy of the Kyrgyz
Ethnography

Genealogy of the Kyrgyz

Genealogy is the “tree of life” of a person. The Turks, including the Kyrgyz, who, due to their nomadic lifestyle, had well-developed clan relations, also paid great attention to studying the origins of their ancestry.

13.05.2014, 16:45
Kyrgyz National Cuisine
Kyrgyz cuisine

Kyrgyz National Cuisine

In the material culture of any ethnic group, there is a distinctive cuisine. It is no coincidence that experienced ethnographers and scholars recommend starting any study of unfamiliar lifestyles with the typical meals—both everyday and festive.

29.04.2014, 14:43
Traditions of the Kyrgyz
Culture

Traditions of the Kyrgyz

Would you like to watch a competition of horsemen called "ulak tartysh" — "goat pulling"? Or participate in the New Year celebration... on March 22 during the Nowruz holiday? Tourists traveling in Kyrgyzstan have such an opportunity. They can not only familiarize themselves with natural attractions, historical monuments, art, architecture, and modern economic objects, but also learn about the specifics of the material and spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people, delve into

29.04.2014, 12:50
Lullaby Celebration (Beshik Toy)
Customs

Lullaby Celebration (Beshik Toy)

The birth of a child among the Kyrgyz, like among other peoples of the world, is an indescribable joy and the greatest celebration. After the baby is named, the "Beshik toy" — the lullaby celebration — begins. Guests are invited. Livestock is slaughtered, a dastorkhon (tablecloth) is spread, boorsoks (fried dough) are prepared, and meat is boiled in large cauldrons. The komuz (a traditional musical instrument) plays, and cheerful songs are sung...

24.04.2014, 19:34
The Celebration of Chechkore
Customs

The Celebration of Chechkore

Chechkor Holiday – the Harvest Festival – has been celebrated among the Kyrgyz people since ancient times. It was associated with the threshing of the harvest. Like throughout Central Asia, the mythical figure considered the patron and first teacher of farmers was the saint Babadykan. Another revered mythical figure was the saint Kydyr-ake – the giver of abundance, luck, a well-wisher, and protector of good people, workers, and travelers. The Chechkor holiday and all the rituals performed were

22.04.2014, 19:54
Mass Musical Folklore
Folklore

Mass Musical Folklore

Today, in the era of sovereign, independent Kyrgyzstan, there is a genuine revival of the national language and culture. The restructuring of the musical infrastructure in favor of heritage has begun. Folklore competitions are being organized, new ensembles are being created, and talented solo musicians are gaining popularity. Folklore has become the heritage of not only rural but also urban environments, and it has entered the international arena.

07.04.2014, 21:46
Cultural Life of Kyrgyzstan
Culture

Cultural Life of Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz are mentioned in historical written sources earlier than the neighboring peoples currently living in Central Asia. The first information about the Kyrgyz dates back to the 3rd century BC. Today, the culture of Kyrgyzstan represents a system of nomadic and agricultural culture. The country is characterized by a civilizational synthesis and cultural pluralism. The culture of Kyrgyzstan is presented as a symbiosis of traditions, customs, worldviews, stereotypes, and the mentality of a

07.04.2014, 21:40
Muslim Organizations at the End of 2005
Religion

Muslim Organizations at the End of 2005

The Islamic religion is represented in the republic by two schools (madhhabs) of Sunni tradition — followers of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Shafi'i, united in one religious organization — the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK).

07.04.2014, 20:43
Christian Organizations
Religion

Christian Organizations

Christianity in the republic is represented by three major branches: Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism, which in turn is divided into 13 directions.

07.04.2014, 20:06
Religion in Modern Kyrgyzstan
Religion

Religion in Modern Kyrgyzstan

Unlike the settled peoples of Central Asia, the Kyrgyz were the last to adopt Islam. It is important to note that the level of religiosity among the Kyrgyz in the north and south of the country varies significantly, which is predetermined by the historical development of the region. A characteristic feature of the religiosity of the Kyrgyz in the north is the close intertwining of Islam with pre-Islamic pagan beliefs, accepting only the external form of Islam—rituals, traditions, and holidays.

07.04.2014, 17:35
The Culture of the Kyrgyz in the 18th - Early 20th Century
Ethnography

The Culture of the Kyrgyz in the 18th - Early 20th Century

The nomadic lifestyle and patriarchal-clan way of life left an indelible mark on the material culture of the Kyrgyz. Overall, the material culture of the Kyrgyz, including housing, clothing, and decorative applied arts, remained largely at the level of the Middle Ages. Under the influence of new conditions, changes in material culture began to occur slowly. In the early 20th century, with the population transitioning to a sedentary lifestyle, new forms began to emerge in both settlements and

13.03.2014, 16:58
The Religion of the Kyrgyz in the VI—XVIII Centuries
Religion

The Religion of the Kyrgyz in the VI—XVIII Centuries

Alongside Islam, the life of the Kyrgyz was widely influenced by customs and traditions of pre-Islamic religious beliefs. Primarily, these were reflections of the natural and social forces dominating the people's consciousness. The custom of worshiping various animals—totemism—was one of the earliest forms of religious consciousness. For instance, one of the clans of the northern Kyrgyz is called "bugu" (deer). Its members still preserve legends and traditions associated with

12.03.2014, 19:05
The Culture of the Kyrgyz in the 6th—18th Centuries
Ethnography

The Culture of the Kyrgyz in the 6th—18th Centuries

The ancient Turkic nomads who inhabited the territory of Kyrgyzstan left behind unique monuments — large stone sculptures that captured the spiritual essence of an entire era. The main themes of these sculptures are the defense of the homeland against foreign invaders, the awareness of one's identity and strength, and the understanding of the role of man in the world and the meaning of life.

12.03.2014, 19:02
The Culture of the Kyrgyz from Ancient Times to the 6th Century
Ethnography

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

10.03.2014, 21:42
The Religion of the Kyrgyz in Ancient Times
Religion

The Religion of the Kyrgyz in Ancient Times

The foundation of marital and family relationships among the nomadic population of ancient Kyrgyzstan was patriarchal-clan customs. The main figure of the clan and family was the man — the husband, the father of the family. Polygamy was common. The traditions of levirate marriage, characteristic of patriarchal-clan ties, were also preserved.

10.03.2014, 21:32
Polygamy
Religion

Polygamy

One of the major surahs of the Quran (the 4th surah, consisting of 175 verses) is called "Nisa," which translates from Arabic as "Women." This surah addresses issues related to women - mothers, sisters, and daughters, and thus also concerns family matters.

07.03.2014, 22:27
Polygamy in Islam
Religion

Polygamy in Islam

In the 1870s, a new movement emerged in Muslim countries, called “Muslim Reformation.”

07.03.2014, 22:12
The Abduction of the Bride
Customs

The Abduction of the Bride

In Central Asia, as well as in the Caucasus, until the early 20th century, there were two significantly different types of abduction:

07.03.2014, 21:15
Payment of Kalym (or Kalyma)
Customs

Payment of Kalym (or Kalyma)

The payment of kalym - the bride price - openly reflects the attitude towards women as movable property of the husband and all his relatives. Kalym was an insurmountable barrier for men wishing to marry if they did not possess the required minimum of material wealth. The amount of kalym indicated the degree of respect for the bride's parents: the higher the kalym paid for the bride, the greater the honor for her parents. The kalym was fully at the disposal of the bride's father and,

07.03.2014, 21:05
The Right of Inheritance under Sharia Law
Religion

The Right of Inheritance under Sharia Law

Let us consider women's rights in the area of inheritance, where Islam clearly establishes inequality between women and men. Under Sharia, the right of inheritance is closely linked to marital and family legal norms. It is complicated by polygamy, temporary divorce, purifying marriage, and marrying a widow. The foundations of inheritance law date back to the pre-Islamic period, from which Muhammad, in particular, preserved the provisions of inheritance rights for males and through the

07.03.2014, 18:41
Marriage Conclusion and Dissolution under Sharia Law
Religion

Marriage Conclusion and Dissolution under Sharia Law

The inequality of the personal status of men and women was vividly manifested in the conclusion and dissolution of marriage according to Sharia. The marriage of a man and a woman, accompanied by the birth of children, was a religious obligation, while celibacy was considered a regrettable state. In Muslim society, there were practically no "old maids," which was due to the order of concluding and dissolving marriages. Adultery was considered a sin (zina). Barriers to marriage for

07.03.2014, 18:34
Norms of Adat and Sharia
Religion

Norms of Adat and Sharia

Sharia originated in Arabia as a more developed system of feudal law and evolved as a confessional law, organically linked to the theology of Islam, infused with its religious-mystical concepts. Islam views legal provisions as a part of the unified divine law and order that governs the world. Sharia includes the normative part (fiqh), including legal norms that define the relationship of Muslims with Allah (ibadat). The importance of qualities such as patience, humility, and fulfillment is

05.03.2014, 22:05
Chakan Atmai (Chakan Tash)
National games

Chakan Atmai (Chakan Tash)

Chakan atmay (chakan tash) — a game for schoolchildren of younger and middle ages. It is played by up to 10 people or two teams of 5-6 players each.

01.03.2014, 22:35
Achakey-Zhumakey and Chaka Chapmay
National games

Achakey-Zhumakey and Chaka Chapmay

Achakey-jumakey. It is played by two participants. The goal of the players, by taking turns throwing their alchik, is to score 10 points. The order of throwing is determined by a draw.

01.03.2014, 21:27
The title translates to: "The Six Banners of Selkinchek and Dumpuldak."
National games

The title translates to: "The Six Banners of Selkinchek and Dumpuldak."

Alty bakan selkinchek. One of the most popular entertainments is swinging (selkinchek). In the past, during the nomadic lifestyle, swings were made from nearby trees in mountain pastures, and in treeless areas, poles (bakans) were used to raise the upper part of the yurt frame during its setup. Usually, 6 such poles were taken. Hence the name alty bakan selkinchek — swings made from 6 poles. A girl and a boy swing together. The rest of the youth, divided into two teams (girls and boys), hold

01.03.2014, 20:44
Toguz Korgol (Toguz Kumalak)
National games

Toguz Korgol (Toguz Kumalak)

Toguz Korgool (or Toguz Kumalak) — nine balls — is an ancient Kyrgyz tabletop game that somewhat resembles chess. It is played by two people. The game board, made of wood and oval in shape, has two small depressions in the middle (the cauldron) and 18 smaller holes located along the edges (nine on each side). Each of the 9 holes is numbered (from left to right). In ancient times, each hole had its own name:

01.03.2014, 11:56
Orda - Khan's Headquarters
National games

Orda - Khan's Headquarters

Ordo (literally "Khan's camp") is a two-sided team national game that exists only in Kyrgyzstan. Two teams play, each consisting of men aged 18 and older, with a team size ranging from 5 to 10 players.

01.03.2014, 10:46
Wrestling
National games

Wrestling

Kuresh — Kyrgyz waist wrestling — is one of the most popular national sports in Kyrgyzstan. This wrestling is similar to freestyle wrestling. Until recently, there were two variants of wrestling widely practiced among the people — southern and northern. The southern variant, prevalent in the Osh region, does not allow the use of leg hooks, trips, or sweeps. In the northern variant of kuresh, a variety of techniques are used; this makes it closer to freestyle wrestling.

28.02.2014, 23:02