Beyond Bishkek
Read MoreFamily at Song-Kul (Song-Köl)
Family at Song-Kul (Song-Köl, Соң-Көл). The man is wearing an Ak-kalpak. The Ak-kalpak is an elongated cap made of white wool felt traditionally worn by Kyrgyz men. It is usually decorated with black embroidery. The name literally means “white hat” (Kyrgyz "ak" (white) and the Turkish word "kalpak"). Song Kul is a lake in the Naryn Region. The lake is located at an altitude of about 3,000 meters and covers an area of around 270 km2. It is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan (after Issyk-Kul).
Man and sheep, on the road to Tash-Rabat
Man and sheep, on the road to Tash-Rabat. The man is wearing an Ak-kalpak. The Ak-kalpak is an elongated cap made of white wool felt traditionally worn by Kyrgyz men. It is usually decorated with black embroidery. The name literally means “white hat” (Kyrgyz "ak" (white) and the Turkish word "kalpak").
Horses at Tash-Rabat
Tash-Rabat is a 15th century stone caravanserai (a resting place for travelers) located in the At-Bashy district at an altitude of 3,200 meters. It has been suggested that Tash Rabat may have originally been built as a Nestorian (Eastern Christian church of the East Syriac Rite) monastery as early as the 10th century. There are, however, indications that it instead was an early Buddhist monastery.
Man wearing an Ak-kalpak in Jeti-Ögüz village
Man wearing an Ak-kalpak in Jeti-Ögüz village. The Ak-kalpak is an elongated cap made of white wool felt traditionally worn by Kyrgyz men. It is usually decorated with black embroidery. The name literally means “white hat” (Kyrgyz "ak" (white) and the Turkish word "kalpak").
The name Jeti-Ögüz means “seven bulls”, which comes from the fact that a rock formation there looks like seven bulls. The Jeti-Ögüz Rocks is a geological protected area (nature monument). The village as around 4,100 inhabitants (2021).Man, in the entrance of the family yurt
Man, in the entrance of the family yurt. Jeti-Ögüz. A yurt is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt. It is used by nomadic groups in Kyrgyzstan and in other places in Central Asia. The structure consists of an assembly of wood or bamboo for walls, a door frame, ribs, and a wheel (crown) for the roof.
Eagle hunter and his bird
Eagle hunter and his bird at Jeti-Ögüz.
Eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan is an old tradition. It is performed by nomadic people of the high Central Asian valleys. Hunting with berkut (the golden eagle) used to be an efficient way to hunt for food and furs but is now performed mainly as a way of trying to conserve the tradition. However, the practice of eagle hunting is slowly disappearing.Eagle hunter and his bird
Eagle hunter and his bird at Jeti-Ögüz.
Eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan is an old tradition. It is performed by nomadic people of the high Central Asian valleys. Hunting with berkut (the golden eagle) used to be an efficient way to hunt for food and furs but is now performed mainly as a way of trying to conserve the tradition. However, the practice of eagle hunting is slowly disappearing.Eagle hunter and his bird
Eagle hunter and his bird at Jeti-Ögüz.
Eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan is an old tradition. It is performed by nomadic people of the high Central Asian valleys. Hunting with berkut (the golden eagle) used to be an efficient way to hunt for food and furs but is now performed mainly as a way of trying to conserve the tradition. However, the practice of eagle hunting is slowly disappearing.