“I was born in 1956 into a family of local Germans in the village of Ak-Döbö. My parents were well-off, and our ancestors moved to Kyrgyzstan and settled here. In my childhood, I played with Kyrgyz children, and at home, I spoke German. I learned Kyrgyz by communicating with friends on the street. I became one of the first German women to marry a Kyrgyz man. I remember my first day in the new family for the rest of my life,” she shared her memories.
Her late husband was named Janbolot Uzekeev.
“Janbolot and I lived next door. One day, a friend invited me to the movies, and then we ended up at his uncle's house in Namatbek with the guys from the village. I was missing for five days—my parents were worried and even contacted the police. Eventually, my parents found out where I was and gathered a delegation of local authorities, police officers, and elders. When they arrived, I was hidden in a closet, but my father found me and scolded me severely. He threatened to drown me in the canal for bringing shame. I firmly said that I would not go home because I was going to marry Janbolot. In response, he got even angrier and declared that he no longer considered me his daughter. The police officers demanded that I write a statement saying that I was there of my own free will. I wrote that I loved Janbolot and was ready to marry him. But my father still took me home, and there, as you can guess, a conflict broke out between the Germans and Kyrgyz over my choice. In the end, Janbolot's parents came to us, talked to my parents, and took me away. In 1973, I became the wife of the eldest son in a Kyrgyz family. My parents did not communicate with me for a whole year, and I, in turn, did not visit them. However, I was warmly welcomed in my new family. My mother-in-law was wonderful; she never said anything bad to me, and I, in turn, never admitted that I didn’t know how to do something. From the very beginning, I was hardworking. Although I didn’t know how to cook borsok before, I soon learned. A year later, my parents visited us and said, ‘The main thing is that you are happy.’ They bought us two houses since my husband was the eldest son (in Kyrgyz families, the parental home remains with the youngest son). In the end, my father forgave me,” she recounted.
Erna also noted that after her marriage, she converted to Islam and took her husband's surname.
“Now my official surname is Uzekeeva. My husband, Janbolot, was born on May 8, 1950, and I was born on April 8. He was calm and reserved, while I was active and lively. Our marriage was happy, and we had six children. Unfortunately, my husband passed away, and my parents moved to Germany in 1995. Every year, I fly to Germany, and I advised my children to marry Kyrgyz, and they did,” she added.
Erna emphasized that she does not consider herself a German.
“I am Kyrgyz. I grew up and lived my whole life among Kyrgyz people. I have integrated so much that I no longer feel like a German. I know Kyrgyz traditions even better than some Kyrgyz people. Neighbors often come to me for advice. I like the hospitality of Kyrgyz people and their willingness to help. I am just like them,” she explained.
According to Erna, she cannot sit idle: in her free time, she engages in sewing, including patchwork techniques (toshok, olpok, etc.).
“I learned handicrafts from my mother-in-law and continue her traditions. I have orders, and the prices for my work range from 300 to 1000 soms. In the summer, my relatives from Germany will come to visit me, and I also fly to see them. One of my daughters lives in Germany, and another one lives in America. I often visit them. Now I live with my son and daughter-in-law and am waiting for the arrival of my grandson,” she shared.
Erna's neighbor, Saadat apa, also spoke about her:
“I have lived next to Erna for 42 years. She is a wonderful woman: always cheerful and open. No one would say she is German. She is one of the best daughters-in-law: she knows Kyrgyz traditions, is always hospitable, and her table is always set. Many people turn to her for advice. Unfortunately, her husband passed away early, and she raised the children on her own,” the neighbor shared.
