It is important to note that these customs can vary significantly depending on the region.
In particular, in the At-Bashinsky district of the Naryn region, there is an interesting custom: when the bride is escorted from her parental home, a stone is placed on the hem of her mother's dress.
Local resident Burulsun Dөөlөtova explained the meaning of this tradition:
“When the ‘jeñeler’ (wives of older brothers) lead the bride out of her house, the groom's mother places a stone on the hem of the bride's mother’s dress, who is her ‘kudagyy’ (sister-in-law). This is done so that ‘the sister-in-law is heavy like a stone and stays at home, not following her daughter who is leaving her parental home.’ In other words, while the daughter has not left, her mother should not leave the house — it is better for her to stay in place.
Now many are forgetting customs that have roots in the past, making their preservation and transmission to future generations important. This concerns not only the Kyrgyz but also other peoples,” she added.
Burulsun noted that even within one region, there can be various traditions.
“For example, in the Naryn and At-Bashinsky districts, there is a custom of sprinkling the shoulders of the matchmakers with flour with the wish ‘Ak jalgasyn,’ however, the residents of the Kochkor district do not follow this custom,” she explained.
The tradition of “tash bastyruu” (placing a stone) has two applications. The first has already been described. The second is related to the fact that when the bride's relatives come to the groom's parents with the ‘sep’ (dowry), before leaving, they place a stone on the hem of the bride's dress so that “she is heavy like a stone and forever remains in her new family,” concluded B. Dөөlөtova.
