Manas is the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature, and parts of it are often recited at Kyrgyz festivities by specialists in the epic, called Manaschi Manaschis tell the tale in a melodic chant unaccompanied by musical instruments. Manaschis who know all three episodes of the epic (the tales of Manas, of his son Semetei and of his grandson Seitek) can acquire the status of Great Manaschi.
Even if you slept through history class, there is something mysterious and timeless about petroglyphs – puzzling over the messages, events, and culture communicated to us from ancient peoples and civilizations. While much has been lost on the Silk Road, in the harsh passage of time, these drawings have survived endless trials for thousands of years,… Continue reading Petroglyphs in Kyrgyzstan
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“Djailoo” in traditional Kyrgyz culture is a fundamental concept, embodying the summer pasture and grazing, where every year during warm period Kyrgyz nomads move their families and yurt homes. “Djailoo” occurs not only out of economic necessity, but also as a life-space and cultural practice that encourages free time and exploration for children. The precarious… Continue reading Djailoo
The Scythians were a group of Iranian people,[known as the Eurasian nomads, who inhabited the western and central Eurasian steppes from about the 9th century BC until about the 1st century BC. Scythia was the Greek term for the grasslands north and east of the Black Sea. Scythian art is distinctive. The best-known account of the Scythians is in Book IV of the Histories of Herodotus. The Scythians… Continue reading Scythians
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