БИЛИМ БУЛАГЫ

Culture & Traditions

The Epic of Manas

The Epic of Manas is a great masterpiece of folklore of Kyrgyz people. It is the longest epic poem in the world. In one of its iterations it consists of more than 500 000 lines. In 1995 people of Kyrgyzstan celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of the Epic of Manas.

Traditional Clothes

Features of the clothes had to be light and comfortable, so that a nomad could comfortably ride on horseback. Second, the clothes had to be strong, but uncomplicated, so that it could be home-made. Third, it must reliably protect people from the cold, that is important in a mountain climate. The main materials for making clothes were coarse wool, felt, fur and leather. The noble families could afford expensive clothes made of fabrics from the towns of the Great Silk Road.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts of Kyrgyz people has evolved over the centuries. It was formed based on the needs of people’s everyday life, and the nomadic way of life influenced it much. Among the major forms of arts and crafts felt art, weaving, patterned embroidery, making of mat, leather products, jewelry, and wood carving.

Tradition Food

Traditional Food

As the nomadic lifestyle required a lot of strength and energy, the national dishes of Kyrgyz people had extraordinary nutritional and caloric content. Their main ingredients were meat, milk, flour and cereals. Most traditional dishes don’t do without meat. Kyrgyz people like to eat lamb, beef, yak meat, and especially horse meat. The most famous dish is the Kyrgyz beshbarmak. It is boiled chopped lamb with onions and noodles, poured with broth. The name of this dish is translated from Kyrgyz as "five fingers", and it is traditionally eaten with the fingers.

• Outdoors
• In the Cafe

Festivals

Festivals in Kyrgyzstan reflect the rich history and nomadic customs and traditions of the Kyrgyz people. Festivals feature sporting competitions, races and demonstrations, as well as handmade products, food, and performances. Today, festivals are a great way to keep traditions alive and to gather people not only from Kyrgyzstan but from around the world. The most popular festivals feature arts and crafts, cuisine, folklore, felt, hunting with birds, and horse games. Many Kyrgyz festivals are held in jailoos (or summer pastures), with yurts showing off traditional dishes and selling crafts. Festivals in Kyrgyzstan are some of the best places to explore and enjoy Kyrgyz traditions and customs.