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Kyrgyz traditional handicrafts reflect ancient traditions and nomadic lifestyle of the people, and demonstrate a practicality arising out of necessity. For example, musical instruments and other implements were fashioned out of objects found naturally in the environment – were easily crafted and transported as the family from pasture to pasture with their flocks of sheep.
The people lived a subsistence existence – each family group would make items to satisfy their own needs. Occasionally goods were exchanged as presents or barter and sometimes a master, skilled in a particular craft, would emerge whose work was highly prized. Later, goods were also sold in markets and even made to specific orders.
Most of the materials used were natural byproducts of the agricultural lifestyle, (wool, leather, horn) or found in the environment, (wood, chiy, plants – roots and leaves for dyes). In particular, felt (made from sheep’s wool or – for the very rich – from camel hair) plays a large role in Kyrgyz crafts.
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