Cultural Insight Of Kyrgyzstan

Nomadic folk art was traditionally weaving, rug making, embroidery and the decoration of clothes and jewellery. Women displayed their wealth in silver jewellery with semi precious stones like lapis and carnelian.  Men showed their wealth in silver sheathed daggers and sabres, and on the saddles, bridles and blankets of their horses. The Kyrgyz specialize in felt rugs with coloured panels sewn on (shyrdak) or pressed (alakiz), and wool tapestry.  

The significant nomadic tradition of animal raising finds creative expression in traditional horseback games at certain local festivals or on national holidays. Kokpar and other horseback sports are fascinating. Russians run the circuses, and larger towns have their own arenas.

The common Central Asian sport in which two large teams of horsemen play a kind of wild polo without sticks, with a bearded goat carcass instead of a ball is known by different names in different regions - ulaktartysh in Kyrgyzstan and kozlodranie among the Russians.

In another traditional horseback game, called kesh-kumaya (kiss the girl) in Kyrgyzstan   a man chases a woman on a horseback and tries to kiss her or gets chased and whipped if he fails. This was the traditional way to take a bride. Other events are races and horseback wrestling.

Central Asian literature was popularised orally by wandering minstrels called akyn.  One of the most influential texts is the Manas, an epic poem that details the heroism of the great warrior Manas. This tradition of oral legends, songs, poems and stories evolved through the ages. Modern Kyrgyzstan authors include the well known Chinghiz Aitmatov and Kazat Akmatov.

Musical instruments similar to those used in the Arab world, such as long necked lutes, reedy flutes and oboes, tambourines and tablas, small drums are used in Kyrgyzstan. In the past, the development of music was closely connected with the bards. But today small ensembles of musicians and singers who perform at weddings and festivals continue the traditions.