For many years, this house had been abandoned, and local residents repeatedly raised the issue of its restoration, emphasizing its historical significance.
The repair work began on September 26, 2024, and was completed on November 1, 2024.
According to the villagers, the question of restoring the house became a priority for the authorities, and sponsors provided financial support for its reconstruction. A fence has also been installed around the building. It is planned that this place will become a house-museum in the future.
Shukurbek Sydykov, a teacher at the local school, noted that the restoration of Momun's house is a significant event. He also suggested installing statues of characters from another work by Aitmatov, "Ak-Keme," on the museum grounds.
Currently, the house is guarded by local foresters. The official opening of the house-museum is expected to take place in early December, with the participation of high-ranking officials.
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As early as 2018, Shukurbek Sydykov, a teacher from the village of Ken-Suu, shared stories about Momun and the boy from "The White Steamship" with Turmush, claiming that these plots have real prototypes.
He mentioned that his late father, Bekturgan Sydykov, spoke about Aitmatov's visit to the Tyup district in 1969, when the state farm "Santash" was managed by Vladimir Zaidulin, and the chairman of the trade union association was B. Sydykov himself.
"According to my father's stories, Aitmatov came to the village of San-Tash to take the 'balbal tash' from the mountain slope of Chon-Bet. At that time, he turned to my father and the workers of the collective farm for help, and they took him to the summer pasture of Chon-Bet. The writer was just over 40 years old then," he noted.
"During their meeting, Aitmatov spoke with an elderly man named Momun, conversing with him for about 5-6 hours on the banks of the Tyup River. Momun lived at the summer pasture with his grandson Eldos, who became the prototype of the boy in the story. During the conversation, the old man shared his life experience and talked about his grandson, as well as a man named Sadyr, who became Orozkul in the book. Momun mentioned that he belonged to the 'bugu' tribe and told the parable 'Bugu ene.' The writer asked him questions the whole time, and then, without taking the 'balbal tash,' he returned home," Sydykov recounted.
Local residents reported that in recent years, Momun's grandson lived in the house, who, unfortunately, passed away, leaving the house unattended.
In Chon-Bet, there are also houses of foresters and herders who note that tourists, aware of the history of this abandoned house, often stop, take photos, and say prayers.
Kabyilbek Jumabaev, a philologist from the Kochkor district, recalled that in 1972, when he was studying at Kyrgyz State University, they conducted a folklore expedition to the village of Sary-Tologoy. Academician Khuseyin Karasaev, originally from this village, gave him the keys to his house when he left for the city. One day, he heard about an old man who lived nearby and was the prototype of a character from "Ak-Keme."
On July 13, 1972, Jumabaev went to the Karkyra valley. In the mountains, he found a small house where Momun Temirov lived. "We met; he resembled the old man from the film but was more talkative. Momun Temirov, who was 68 years old, recited poems by Moldo Kılıch and legends to me. He also shared memories of his meeting with Chyngyz Aitmatov, who came to him to hear various stories. Later, Aitmatov used these stories in his work 'The White Steamship,' changing some details, which displeased Momun," Jumabaev shared.
Archive photo of Momun Temirov was provided by Turmush
Chynygy Momun chal
