This method of wall construction is known as "paxa" (or "baxa"). Clay walls provide warmth in winter and keep cool in summer, protecting against heat.
According to local craftsmen, there is currently an average demand for specialists in rammed earth wall construction. Although this type of work was highly popular a few years ago, the craftsmen still express gratitude for the work available: "Thank God, there is work."
Currently, the cost of building a rammed earth wall is about 3,000 soms for 4 square meters (height 2 meters, length 2 meters). The craftsmen note that constructing rammed earth walls for a five-room house will cost approximately 140,000–150,000 soms.
The quality of a rammed earth wall largely depends on the composition of the clay. If it is too wet, the wall may crack, while if it is dry, there will be no problems. If the clay is too liquid and the wall does not dry in time, it may lead to its collapse. At present, with the onset of warm weather, rammed earth walls dry in about a week, the craftsmen report.
Specialists involved in the construction of rammed earth walls are divided into different groups. "Ilaykash" is the one who prepares the clay, "belkash" is the one who brings the prepared clay, and the chief master is directly involved in the construction of the walls.
An interesting local legend is associated with rammed earth walls. It is said that one of the craftsmen, after quarreling with his colleague, dealt with him and walled up the body in a rammed earth wall to hide the traces of the crime. The missing person was declared missing. After some time, when the walls dried and the house was completed, the owner noticed that one corner of the wall remained damp. After examining this spot, the body of the craftsman was found, and the crime was solved.
In early February 2023, Turmush reported that the construction of frame houses is gaining popularity among local residents in the Batken region. These buildings are commonly referred to as "synch үйлөр" - wooden frame houses.
There is a saying: "synch үйүм — тынч үйүм" [“a frame house is a safe house”].
In 2017, Turmush published information citing builder Askarbek Duyshiev, who has been constructing houses for 30 years, that the method of building such houses came from ancestors who did not use nails.
In the late 19th to early 20th century, in southern Kyrgyzstan, for the construction of Fergana and Pamir houses, alongside clay plaster mixed with straw, the method of layered clay ("paxa") was used.
The work was carried out by a layer clay layer, a clay mixer ("ylaych"), and "belchi" (a worker who cuts the clay). Yellow, red earth, and black soil were used for the clay. The place for preparing the clay was made 1-1.5 meters wide and 20-30 cm deep at the foundation, where water was added. The "ylaychy" mixed the earth with water, while the "belchi" added water as needed. After a short pause, the clay was left to "rest" so that it could soak up the water well. This process was called "dymdoo" - extinguishing the clay.
Work began when the sun was high, as cold clay did not hold well during laying. Before starting the laying, the clay mixer crushed the clay again, giving it the desired shape. Then the "belchi" cut it into equal parts, passing it to the layer.
Meanwhile, the clay mixer separated a new portion of clay, shaped it, and passed it to the "belchi," who cut it into pieces for the layer. The latter laid the clay row by row, starting each new row from the end of the previous one, which prevented cracks. As the wall was built, its thickness gradually decreased. Thus, the Kyrgyz said that the wall falls inward. After the walls were completed, ceiling beams were installed with a distance of 0.70-1 m apart, and the gaps were filled with clay ("paxa").
In addition, partitions were installed to divide the internal space into 2-3 rooms and auxiliary rooms. Usually, the payment for the craftsmen's work was made in the form of grain or livestock.
