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:
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.
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.
Tyiyn enmey — retrieving a coin from the ground while riding. This type of national game is a variation of equestrian skills.
Dzhamby atmay — shooting while galloping at a target. In the past, the target was a silver ingot — dzhamba, which was hung by a thread on a tree branch or pole. The rider, while galloping on horseback, had to shoot down the dzhamba with an arrow. If successful, he became its owner.
Kyz Kuu May — the chase for a girl — is an equestrian game involving a girl and a young man (dzhigit).
Oodarysh is a horse wrestling competition that requires great physical strength and agility, combined with the skill to control the horse. This is an ancient and popular type of contest among the Kyrgyz.
Ulak-Tartysh (goat wrestling) is a traditional equestrian sport where riders compete for the carcass of a goat (ulak). The competitions in ulak-tartysh are held on an open field, which is a rectangle measuring 500 to 1000 meters in length and 250 to 500 meters in width.
At-chabysh (horse racing) is a very ancient and popular sport among the Kyrgyz people.
The voluntary incorporation of Kyrgyzstan into Russia (1863) played an important role in the historical fate of the Kyrgyz people. The alliance with the Russian people allowed the Kyrgyz to free themselves from the yoke of the Kokand khans, from internal feudal wars, and to avoid enslavement by English imperialism. All further socio-political and economic development of the Kyrgyz occurred under the influence of the economy and culture of Russia.
“May the ancestors be blessed, who left us these fearless men's games” CHINGIZ AITMATOV
Before the revolution, the Kyrgyz people knew visual arts only in its folk, applied form. The art of ornamentation was developed: it adorned felt and pile carpets, wooden, leather, and metal objects. The "ram's curl"—a stylized depiction of a ram's horn in various variations—was particularly widespread.
Starting from the mid-19th century, progressive Russian travelers and scholars began to study and widely introduce the artistic creativity and material culture of the peoples of Central Asia to the European public. During this time, a relationship and mutual penetration of the musical cultures of the peoples of Russia and Central Asia began. Russian composers showed great interest in the music of the peoples of Central Asia. They recorded folk melodies, processed them, borrowing some elements.
Kyrgyz folk music is a rich area of the national culture of the people, expressing their worldview, everyday life, history, ethical and aesthetic ideals. Its roots go deep into antiquity. The first written records of the musical past of the Kyrgyz are found in several sources. In 630 BC, the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, traveling through the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan, noted that a feast held in honor of his arrival began with the sounds of music that enchanted and delighted the ears,
Until 1917, there was one cinema installation in Pishpek (now Bishkek). From the very first years of Soviet power, cinemas were built in the cities and villages of the republic.
Before the Great October Revolution, the Kyrgyz did not have a national professional theater. However, throughout their centuries-old history, the people created their rich, unique art, filled with theatrical elements. Performances by manaschis (epic storytellers) and akyns-improvisers resembled a one-man theater.
The monumental epic of the Kyrgyz people “Manas” is rightly recognized as an encyclopedia of the philosophical, ethical, and artistic views of many generations of the Kyrgyz people. In terms of its volume, “Manas” has no equal among the world-renowned epic tales. The Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR has collected recordings of more than 40 versions of this monumental trilogy.
Printing in Kyrgyzstan On November 7, 1924, the first issue of the newspaper "Erkin-Too" ("Free Mountains") was published. This is the first newspaper in the history of the Kyrgyz people in their native language. The first copies of the newspaper also served as the first alphabet through which the people learned to read and write. Initially, "Erkin-Too" was published twice a week with a total circulation of 3,000 copies. There were only 150 regular subscribers to
Healthcare in the Kyrgyz Republic Before the revolution, the residents of Central Asia were unaware of medical assistance. Throughout the territory of Kyrgyzstan, there was only one hospital with 23 beds, staffed by 5 doctors and 8 paramedics. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Honored Physician of the Kyrgyz SSR Isa Konoievich Akhunbaev (1908—1974) made a significant contribution to the development of Soviet medicine. He was the first in Central Asia to perform heart surgeries. I. K. Akhunbaev was
Science in Kyrgyzstan The concept of science emerged in Kyrgyzstan only after the Great October Socialist Revolution. The scientists of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR played an important role in the establishment and development of research work. During the Great Patriotic War, scientists in Kyrgyzstan, along with researchers from the scientific institutions of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, addressed important issues of defense and national economic significance. Thanks to their
Transport and Communication of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan It seems that just recently only bumpy roads and narrow paths connected Kyrgyz villages, and the most urgent news spread among the ails at the speed of a galloping horse. Now the republic has all types of modern transport — rail, road, and air. Road transport is the most developed, being the most convenient in our mountainous region. It accounts for 97% of all cargo transported within the republic.
Increasingly, Western travelers and tourists are seeking exotic vacation spots located "off the beaten path."
In the upper reaches of the Yassy River, on its right bank, there is a whole series of mineral water springs. Kara-Shoro is the most famous among them, known for its carbonated water springs. There are more than twenty of them, with pure cold water that bubbles with gas, rivaling the taste and healing qualities of the most renowned springs in Europe and Asia.
The suburban area of Bishkek, adjacent to the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Range, is of the greatest interest for tourism development, where diverse landscapes, climatic and microclimatic conditions allow for the wide development of resort and skiing tourism. The characteristics of the facilities in this area are presented in the table.
Usually, when you ask about the tourist resources of the city of Bishkek, it tends to lead to a slight confusion. This is because there is a common belief that resources primarily refer to beautiful natural objects: mountains, lakes, peaks, or historical buildings, and what could there be in a city that is just over a hundred years old.
The Chichkan River flows from the north into the Toktogul Reservoir. It is a small river with clear water. It runs through a picturesque gorge with steep slopes and whimsical rock formations. Along the banks of the river runs the main road of the country, connecting the city of Bishkek with the city of Osh. The road gently descends from the Ala-Bel Pass (3184 m), from which the Chichkan River begins. Two ridges loom over the river: the Talas and Suusamyr ridges. The gorge is open to air
Besh-Tash Nature Park is located south of the city of Talas on the northern slopes of the Talas Ala-Too and includes the gorges: Kolba, Besh-Tash, Urmaral, and Kumush-Tag with their branches. In these gorges, rivers of the same name flow with a widely branched network of tributaries. The territory is cut by deep ravines. In summer, the gorges look very beautiful. Juniper thickets are scattered along the slopes. In the upper reaches of the gorges, on the right slopes, there are sparse forests
The Talas Region is located in the northwestern part of the Kyrgyz Republic. It was established on June 22, 1944. The region consists of 4 districts (Talas, Bakai-Ata, Kara-Buura, Manas), 1 city - Talas, and 90 villages, united into 35 ayil okmotu. It borders Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the west, Jalal-Abad Region to the south, and Chui Region to the east. The area is 11.4 thousand square kilometers (5.7% of the republic's territory), with a population of 199.9 thousand
Kan-i-Gut Cave is located on the southern slope of the Djaman-Chul range, approximately 18 km west of the village of Samarkandyk in the Shadymir area. The local name is Zauk-Kur. It was formed by fissure-like separations of layers and active manifestations of ore karst processes. There are almost no dripstone formations. The cavity consists of numerous grottoes, deep pits (up to 40 m), chimneys, narrow interwoven passages, and corridors. Based on random archaeological finds, scientists
Narrow echoing gorges, through which in the gloomy depths flows a river bound by rocky jaws; tributaries falling into it, hanging villages clinging to the terraces, autumn-blazing orchards of wild apricots, fortresses and burial mounds where once warriors in chainmail and bright cloaks walked, armed with swords and spears - all this is Sokh. Caves, winding paths above the boiling river, rickety bridges, and finally, one of the largest waterfalls, not far from the hidden village of Zardaly
This area is located 40 km from the village of Kadamjay, where the best antimony in the world is produced. Kadamjay is situated along the banks of the Shakhimardan River, which flows down from the northern slopes of the Pamir-Alai. The Shakhimardan River is formed by the tributaries Ak-Suu (on the left) and Kok-Suu (on the right). Below their confluence rise two cliffs: Kala-Choku and Uzun-Choku. In ancient times, these cliffs served as natural fortresses. Many tools of primitive man and
The contrasts of nature in the mountain ranges of Matchi and Karavshin are astonishing, offering grand opportunities for the development of mountain tourism and climbing. The striking peaks, with their smooth edges converging at five-thousand-meter heights into sharp pinnacles, resemble giant crystals adorning the wide ridge of the watersheds of Ak-Suu and Karavshin.
The Batken Region was established on October 12, 1999, from the Osh Region. It includes the Batken, Kadamjay, and Leilek districts, the cities of Kyzyl-Kiya, Sulyukta, Batken, Isfana, and 189 rural settlements. The regional center is the city of Batken. The territory of the region is located in the southwest of the country, with 3/4 of its borders being international. The region is surrounded by neighboring states: to the south, west, and northwest it borders Tajikistan, to the north -
Abshir-Sai (Waterfall Gorge) is located in the mountain valley of the river of the same name, flowing from the northern slopes of the Kichik-Alai mountain range. The distance from the city of Osh to Abshir-Sai is 70 km. The mountainous part of the valley begins with rocky, distinctive gates formed by layers of limestone, standing out against the backdrop of picturesque slopes.
In the interfluve of the Aravan and Ak-Buura rivers lies the unusual land of Chil-Ustun, where karst remnants, arranged in three rows, strikingly contrast with the green backdrop of the floodplains of the foothill valleys, which flow into the oasis of the Fergana Valley beyond the western border. From a geological, or more precisely, geomorphological perspective, the stone islands are remnants of a once large mountain massif. They are composed of sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic era, which
Kojo-Kelen - a natural and ethnographic complex that is still little known to tour operators. Each year, Kojo-Kelen becomes more famous and attracts more and more tourists. The beautiful village of Kojo-Kelen is located in a wide area of the valley of the Jiptik River, a left tributary of the Ak-Buura River. At the upper edge of the village, fantastic orange cliffs open up along the left bank of the river. At the foot of the cliffs lies the Kojo-Kelen Cave, or rather a pink grotto with a
Kyrgyz-Ata Natural Park is located in the basin of the river of the same name, which flows down from the northern slope of the Kichik-Alaï ridge, about 40 km from the city of Osh along the road leading to the village of Iski-Naukat. The valley is surrounded on all sides by stunningly beautiful pointed peaks, adorned with snow caps, of the Kichik-Alaï range. The cliffs are composed of limestone with outcrops of multicolored marble.
The mountain nodes Achik-Tash and Korumdy are the main and most popular areas for high-altitude mountaineering. Achik-Tash is located in the central highest part of the Zaalai (or Chon-Alaï) ridge. The mountain complex consists of powerful glaciers and peaks: Dzerzhinsky (6716 m), Kyzyl-Aga (6663 m), Estonia (6202 m). The highest and most popular point of the Achik-Tash mountain node is Lenin Peak, which is 7134 m high. From the edelweiss glade located in the Achik-Tash area, which serves as
Burana - Architectural Heritage. Located 12 km southwest of the present-day town of Tokmak is the medieval settlement of Balasagun, the capital of the Karakhanid Khanate (940 - 1210 AD). The Karakhanid Khanate was the largest feudal state in Central Asia during the 10th-12th centuries. The first Karakhanids conquered most of Eastern Turkestan, Central Tien Shan, Semirechye, and Fergana.
Suleiman Mountain (Throne of King Solomon) is located in the center of the city of Osh. The height of this mountain at its highest points reaches 100-150 meters, its length is one and a half kilometers, its width including the alluvial fan is 120 meters, and the absolute elevation is 1106 meters above sea level.
Chatkal Valley is 30 to 50 km wide and stretches from the southwest to the northeast for 150 km. The surrounding ridges: Pskem, Talas, and especially Chatkal are characterized by rocky peaks, deep gorges, rocky slopes, and canyons. The average height of the Pskem ridge is 3200 meters, with the highest point being Peak Beshtor (4299 m). The Talas Ala-Too and Chatkal ridges are more elevated, with Peak Chatkal reaching a height of 4503 meters.
Established in 1959, covering an area of 23,868 hectares, it includes unique nut forests and mountainous landscapes with picturesque lakes. Sary-Chelek Reserve is characterized by rich biodiversity. First of all, it is worth noting about 1,000 species of herbaceous plants (which make up 73% of the species of the entire Western Tien Shan), 40 species of mammals, 157 species of birds, and 7 species of reptiles. 30 species of plants and 4 species of animals residing in the reserve: the Tien Shan
Gava-Sai Gorge is a right tributary of the Kara-Unkur River, located 20 kilometers northwest of the district center Bazar-Korgon. In its middle part, about five kilometers long, lies the village of Uzbek-Gava. Surrounded by picturesque nature, it has been home to Uzbeks since ancient times. Not far from the upper boundary of the village, in the forest, there is an experimental site of the national institute of nut growing. From it, a magnificent walnut forest stretches in all directions, where
Arslanbob Massif The extensive relict massif of wild walnut forests, preserved since ancient times, is a unique natural monument of global significance. This forest massif occupies the foothills of the Fergana Range, which borders the Fergana Valley from the north. According to scientists, the forests originated in the Cretaceous period, which lasted 70 million years. This was followed by the Tertiary period, which lasted another 60 million years. At the beginning of the Tertiary period, the
The Jalal-Abad Region was established on November 21, 1939. From January 27, 1959, it became part of the Osh Region, and was re-established as an independent region on December 14, 1990.
Remoteness, wildness, and mystery are the concepts that characterize and give an idea of this region of the Tian Shan. Before the collapse of the USSR, these areas were closed off. Only border guards and, with rare exceptions, shepherds occasionally ventured here. Almost the entire territory of the region is occupied by hard-to-reach ridges: Kokshaal-Tuu Barkaldy, Karla-Tuu. The prevailing absolute heights of the ridges range from 3400 to 5600 meters. The highest point, Dankov Peak (5982
Naryn State Reserve is located 50 km east of the city of Naryn on the left bank of the river. The main objects of protection in the reserve are the Schrenk spruce and the population of maral (red deer).
Muzdag Mountains, Khan Tengri Peak, and Victory Peak. The Muzdag mountain range (ice mountains) is located in the Central Tien Shan and occupies its highest area. For extreme tourism enthusiasts, this region, also known as the "Arctic," offers a wide variety of challenges. In the summer, a corporate climbing camp operates here, organized by various tour operators.