In an interview with a Turmush correspondent, he shared that he has been making wooden barrels for six years, varying in volume from 10 to 150 liters. Askarbek previously worked in construction, and after retiring, he switched to woodworking. “When I received an order for a barrel, I found my calling in this work. I purchase lumber from Russia, a cubic meter costs 22,000 soms, and from one cubic meter, I can make six large barrels. The price depends on the size — a 10-liter barrel costs 1,000 soms,” he explained.
The demand for barrels for kumis is currently high: “These barrels are intended for making kumis and pickles, but I do not sell them for wine or beer. As they say, where there is a Kyrgyz, there is kumis,” Kachaganov added. To improve working conditions for women, he created a device from a battery and a car windshield wiper. With a power of 12 watts, this device effectively mixes kumis, allowing it to achieve the desired consistency. Currently, he sells such devices for 4,000 soms.
Askarbek also expressed a desire to pass on his skills to the next generation. “Art does not die — this is a wonderful truth. I would like the youth to learn this craft. For example, my pension is 4,500 soms, while the cost of a barrel is 4,000 soms. Sometimes young people come to learn, but they quickly get tired of the small work. Making barrels requires patience and precision; each joint must be done well, otherwise, the barrel will leak. For me, this is a hobby; I relax while working with wood. In winter, I sell about 20-30 barrels, which brings in 120,000-160,000 soms. In spring, the barrels are sent to the jailoo, where kumis is prepared, and buyers come from all over Kyrgyzstan,” he noted.
Askarbek Kachaganov has five children.
