For the Kyrgyz people, the yurt is more than just a home. It is a whole layer of national culture. Every stage, from setting up the structure to the interior decoration, involves specific rules and holds sacred significance. The opening of the ethnographic village "Kyrgyz-Kochu" in the center of Bishkek became a vivid example of preserving ancient traditions.
Cradle of Ancestors
One of the events in the program of the ethnovillage was the rapid assembly of a yurt. Typically, assembling a traditional dwelling takes an hour or more. A team of record holders from Kyzyl-Tuu completed this task in just 14 minutes.
In total, more than 20 yurts were set up in the capital's "Ala-Too" square, each representing specific rituals and customs. Anyone could drop by for a visit. In one of these yurts, I was immediately seated at a dastorkon - a generously laid table. Notably, in addition to traditional Kyrgyz dishes, there were also Russian kalach, Uzbek flatbreads, and Uighur sweets.
- Interaction of cultures always leads to progress, and our table features dishes not only from the national cuisine but also those introduced into our culture by other nationalities living in Kyrgyzstan, - explained the hospitable hostess, head of the culture department of the Issyk-Ata district, Elmira MEDETOVA.
She shared that the history of the yurt spans over 2,000 years, yet it remains the original dwelling of the Kyrgyz in the jailoo and an attribute for conducting national rituals, from weddings to funerals.
- Nowadays, the requirements for yurts have increased. Great attention is paid to the quality of materials. Traditionally, this includes wool and natural dyes. We are moving away from technologies that used Chinese threads and Russian materials, and returning to our roots, striving to make the yurt just like it was two thousand years ago.
- What national custom do you tell the festival guests about?
- The Chui region presents the ritual "Beshikke saluu" - this is when a child is first laid in a cradle. The thing is, the national cradle - beshik - also has its own centuries-old tradition. The Kyrgyz believe that a person changes three worlds during their life. The first is when they are in their mother's womb. The second is their cradle. And the third world is when they enter adulthood and become a protector of their people. The beshik has many functions; there is not a single unnecessary detail - our ancestors had such a well-thought-out philosophy! The cradle is still used today, especially in rural areas. The beshik we brought for the ritual is 200 years old and is also made from traditional materials. God bless the baby we laid in this cradle with long and happy years of life!
Another feature of the ethnographic village was that the yurts were brought from different regions of Kyrgyzstan. Accordingly, there were also their own distinctions. For example, while representatives of the Chui region simply offer warm hospitality, guests in the yurts of Jalal-Abad will receive a firm handshake, along with a hug and a kiss. The southern table is dominated by meat dishes.
- This yurt is called the guest yurt, where we receive guests, - said Aigul SARSEITOVA, a resident of the Toktogul district. - We treat them to dishes made from lamb and horse meat. Some recipes are very ancient and have not changed for centuries. For example, "tash kordoo" - meat baked in a tandoor. In the past, hunters in the mountains, without a cauldron or hearth, would dig a hole in the ground, line it with stones, and bake meat there. And we still prepare this dish. Of course, there must be bread, boorsoks. And then there is kurut. We prepare it in different ways: for example, we mix it with cream, and then it acquires a brownish hue and an unusual taste.
- Do yurts in the south and other regions differ from each other?
- The difference is mainly in the ornaments and color schemes. For example, in Naryn, black-and-white shirdaqs (felt carpets) are valued, while here in the south, they are bright and colorful. Otherwise, there are no significant differences.
Since ancient times, the yurt has been an integral part of the life of nomadic peoples. Its lightweight wooden frame and dense felt covering made it a truly universal, mobile, and reliable shelter, protecting against rain, snow, cold winds, and scorching sun. The structure of the portable home is meticulously thought out and has been tested over centuries. Perhaps this is why, in our time, the yurt has not become a museum exhibit, but still holds an honorable place in the lives of the descendants of nomads.