In an interview with a Turmush correspondent, he shared that his father, a well-known master in the village, created amazing products, and for Emil, continuing this craft has become a matter of honor.
“My craft goes back to my grandfather. He made yurts, carved komuz, created decorative items, and was very well-known. Since childhood, I dreamed of becoming a master, holding an axe, and engaging in carving. After school, I studied in the capital and then returned to my native village. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, I was left without work and decided to make the craft my profession — I started making komuz and fulfilling orders,” he recounts.
Half a century has passed since Emil began carving komuz. During this time, he has completed thousands of orders and received numerous accolades. “Thanks to my ancestors' legacy, my hands have always been healthy. I created various types of Kyrgyz komuz even for foreign clients. I also engage in producing decorative items. When the apricot tree blooms, I cut the wood, prepare and dry it, and then I start processing it. On average, I make one komuz a day, although sometimes it takes 2-3 days. I apply ornaments and engraving to the back of the instrument,” he adds.
Foreigners often visit his workshop, where Emil conducts master classes, explaining the process of creating and assembling the komuz and its features. The cost of a master class starts at 100 dollars. Many clients order komuz as souvenirs, but for the master, the value of his work is not limited to just a monetary equivalent.
“I strive to convey to the whole world the beauty of Kyrgyz folk craftsmanship and our national instrument — the komuz,” Emil concludes his story.
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