Despite the fact that this ritual is hardly practiced in modern times, some elderly women with special healing abilities (Kyrg. - “kolunda emii bar apalar”) continue to use it.
“Köl börü” is an ancient ritual of the Kyrgyz. In the past, when ancestors led a nomadic lifestyle, in cases of threatened miscarriage or incorrect fetal position, experienced women would gather together. They would lay the birthing woman on a special carpet covered with “jük” — stacked toshoks — and lift her from the sides, gently rocking her to help the baby take the correct position. This eased the childbirth process,” shared Kumarkan eze.
She also noted that in Kara-Suu there are still experienced elder women who can determine the position of the baby with their hands and help it take the necessary place. This method is considered part of folk medicine.
“In those times, when access to medical assistance was limited, people helped each other in this way. Although this ritual is gradually fading into the past today, turning to knowledgeable people can yield positive results,” added Ishenalieva.
Kumarkan emphasized that the tradition of “köl börü” is a vivid testament to the rich experience of the Kyrgyz people in the field of folk medicine and shows that some of its methods remain relevant to this day.
