According to Kyrgyzstan funeral traditions, it is customary for the deceased person’s family to give away their clothes to family and friends. An elechek may include a cap-takiya (or chach cap), which is a tiny helmet-like bonnet that fits tightly on the head.. Uilonuu toi (Wedding Feast) Before they get married, the young couple's parents prepare clothes for them. Reply Delete Typically, the graves are on hilltops because they consider high places sacred. In Bishkek, the colossal festivities culminate in a game of ulak tartysh (see below), and in every city and village in the land, smaller but no less lively celebrations take place. The spiritual culture of each nation is kept from generation to generation in the form of traditions and customs, ... Until the 29th century poem passed down orally, and even today many people come to Kyrgyzstan to listen to and enjoy the famous epic by talented storytellers. Published 29 July 2015 Last updated 2 September 2020 — see all updates. This article looks at Kyrgyz funeral traditions and is part of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their dead. When one dies cattle is sacrificed and distributed to … One example of this is the widely held custom that women and girls must never be left alone with a man or group of men. All rights reserved. Beshbarmak is regarded as the national dish of the country. They offer their ancestorsâ spirits food, pray for them, and pour water on their graves so theyâre not thirsty. At the same time, the men go to the cemetery. Kyrgyzstan funeral traditions strictly require everyone to cover their heads with a fur hat, skullcap, shawl, etc. Funeral ceremonies have been held in Kyrgyzstan for some of at least 78 people killed during a violent uprising that ousted the president. Not only do they bring those who are grieving... Sign up for our newsletter and get tips, trends, news, and more sent directly to your inbox! Prohibition 3: Walking barefoot or in open-toed shoes into the house where a person has died is prohibited. Thousands of mourners watched as 15 coffins draped in the national flag were carried through the burial ground outside the capital, Bishkek. The Kyrgyz are descended from ancient Turkic tribes, and have been nomadic cattle breeders for centuries and a large part of the population remains semi-nomadic, with sheep often outnumbering the population! Today, thanks to urbanization and modern technology, the need for this form of announcement has become obsolete. Mutton, horse meat, beef, and dairy products constitute the main part of the Kyrgyz diet. Fax: (+998 71) 230-96-55
A deceased male goes on the left side of the yurt while a deceased female goes on the right side. 88% of Kyrgyzstanâs population identifies as Muslim. The culture of Kyrgyzstan has a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with the Kyrgyz being the majority group. Cultural Spotlight: Luhya People of Kenya Funeral Traditions, How to Preserve Your Funeral Roses and Make Meaningful Mementos, Cultural Spotlight: Rwandan Funeral Traditions. Remote Kyrgyzstan was a perfect place for secret Soviet uranium mining (at Mayluu-Suu above the Fergana Valley, Ming-Kush in the interior and Kadji-Sai at Lake Issyk-Köl) and naval weapons development (at the eastern end of Issyk-Köl). When passing by, you should recite a prayer. Tajikistan Customs and Traditions. Funeral traditions in Kyrgyzstan include several stages: notification of death, dressing a widow in mourning, preparation for the funeral, farewell, burial and commemoration. Instead, many families display the body for two to three days so loved ones can pay their respects. Not surprisingly, Kyrgyz funeral traditions are complex ethnocultural rites in which ceremonies formed throughout successive historical eras are combined into a series of present-day customs. Welcome to Kyrgyzstan to learn how to set up a traditional nomad’s house bozui, what the taste of koumiss feels like and the process of making it, how kyrgyz nomads lived in the past and how they live on summer pastures today. As a rule a In ancient times, when the Kyrgyz led a nomadic life and the communities were at a great distance from each other, the body of the deceased was buried three days after death, once the relatives were able to arrive. The Kyrgyz have preserved rich and diverse cultural heritage for centuries. Protestants, Baha'is, Jehovah's Witnesses and Hare Krishna devotees have all long complained that the authorities have not resolved this problem, which greatly … For the feast, they slaughter a cow or horse. Mountains cover nearly 90 percent of the country. Afterward, the burial is usually at noon, and everyone says prayers together before burying the deceased. Women are not allowed to take part in actual Kyrgyz funerals – only men may be present at the burial service. Admin Kg 18.09.2007 comments off. Funeral services for 61-year old Barbara Goings are Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 at the TNT Building in Wanblee, SD, with Lay Minister Rita Brown officiating. Then, they place the body in a yurt (tent) for the viewing and say a final prayer. They sacrifice sheep in remembrance of the deceased every Thursday during the 40-day mourning period and have a large feast on the 40th day. Funeral traditions in Kyrgyzstan included a number of restrictions: Prohibition 1: During the funeral, you must not point at the grave with your hand. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. Like many Turkic peoples, the Kyrgyz believed that hair that’s been tied back is a sign of belonging to the living world. It is horse meat cooked in its own broth and served with noodles. Women enter the yurt, loudly wailing poetic memories of the deceased. It is generally considered that there are 40 Kyrgyz clans, symbolized by the 40-rayed yellow sun in the center of the flag.The lines inside the sun are said to represent a yurt.The dominant religion of Kyrgyzstan is Sunni Islam (91%). As in Kazakhstan, the culture of the horse is omnipresent. Arriving in Kyrgyzstan, you will be able to get to know the material and spiritual culture of people, to get acquainted with their customs and traditions and learn some facts of their history. Kyrgyz Funeral Customs To prepare the body, they wash and wrap the deceased in a shroud (cloth) and sometimes also a felt rug. Most Kyrgyz Muslims identify as Sunni Muslim, with a few also identifying as Shia Muslim. If a man becomes a widower, he is not permitted to remarry until at least six months from his first wife’s passing. Even today, Kyrgyz funeral traditions are a symbiosis of Islamic and pre-Islamic beliefs. In Kyrgyzstan a burial in a grave is the most common way of disposition of remains. Note, these traditions may vary depending on the individual and their own beliefs. Itâs also disrespectful to step on their loved oneâs graves. by Jenny Goldade | Dec 28, 2018 | Cultural Spotlight, For Families. Kyrgyz cuisine exhibits great similarity to Kazakh cuisine. And there are many more colorful springtime festivals. (Margaret Morton) This burial structure provides a stark contrast to the barren landscape. The former nomadic way of life of the people has heavily influenced the cuisine with cooking techniques focussing on the long-term preservation of the food items. Prohibition 5: It is forbidden to name a child after a recently deceased relative. These traditions fit into the nomadic lifestyle, and were centered around the family. Besides, most of the people here, at least in Bishkek, aren't really very Muslim anyway. Rich Heritage. Customs and traditions in Kyrgyzstan were meant to help with the biggest transitions in life, and to provide order and meaning from birth to death. According to traditi… Kara Kiyuu (Dressing a Widow for Mourning). The headdress is in the form of a turban, but the length of the fabric can reach 30 - 40 meters. Once a person had died, then others needed to be notified. Customs & Traditions. : (+998 71) 200-96-00
If the head of the household passed away, other women would untie his wife's hair, a symbol of her departure with the deceased, during the mourning period, to the other world. To prepare the body, they wash and wrap the deceased in a shroud (cloth) and sometimes also a felt rug. However, they donât necessarily bury the body within 24 hours, like many Muslims. A deceased male goes on the left side of the yurt while a … Funeral Etiquette. Funeral ceremonies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Funeral customs and traditions in Kyrgyzstan Funerals in Kyrgyz culture often feature a mix of Islamic and pre-Islamic traditions, though the focus is on respect for the dead. Funerals and deaths in China are sensitive subjects, imbued with superstition and age-old customs. Kyrgyzstan boasts the highest point of the Tian Shan Mountain range, which is … According to Kyrgyz funeral customs, no leftovers should remain from the food that is served at the wake. As soon as a person dies, one of the elders of the family would immediately be appointed to oversee the funeral arrangements. In central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, there is Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, which involves elaborate dancing and costumes. This signifies that the family is committing itself to repay all of the deceased's debts. In the south of the country, for example, where adherence to Islam in stronger, the funeral may not take place on day three.
Other parts of the series are about Kazakh funeral traditions and Georgian funeral traditions, among others. Beside the Silk Roads sites and stunning natural beauty, the Silk Roads customs and culture are still alive in Kyrgyzstan in a way that there are still several nomad tribes who live in felt yurts out on the steppes. We are glad to answer and assist, please send us your questions or queries. Instead, the deceased would be buried on the day of his death according to Islamic tradition. Sign up for our weekly newsletter for tips, trends, news, and more! When a person lays close to death, a mullah is called, who would recite prayers and help the person attain peace. A Kyrgyz friend of ours who is a Mormon was asked what his family would do for his funeral since he wasn't Muslim anymore. While most Kyrgyz believe in one God, reverence for Mother Nature and a deep respect and fear of ancestors, whose spirit is believed to come to the aid of their descendants, is also deeply ingrained.