According to local beliefs, if a black crow arrives and makes the sound "kaak," it signals that the rice has reached its peak ripeness or, conversely, has become overripe and empty.
The appearance of crows, according to this belief, also heralds the arrival of cold weather, prompting farmers to actively drain their fields and harvest the remaining rice grains. It is believed that as soon as the crow starts to caw, the rice will no longer be able to ripen, and the risks increase, as it may become "bүchүk" — empty-grained.
Currently, the region is experiencing this very period: crows are already giving their signals, and farmers are hurrying to finish harvesting the last patches of rice.
Local farmers claim that rice that ripens in late autumn, under light frost, has a particularly rich flavor and yields a bountiful harvest. At this time, the main variety they grow is called "Jaidary devzire," and its price ranges from 250 to 400 soms per kilogram.
However, late rice harvesting is fraught with risks: if the cold arrives earlier than usual, the grains may be subjected to frost and not have enough time to ripen.
