According to the Kyrgyz customs, any traveler is your guest
The Kirghizs are a people of Turkic origin, which today constitutes the main proportion of the population in Kyrgyzstan - 69,9% (2230 thousand people). In addition, the Kirghizs live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sinkiang, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The total number of the Kirghizs worldwide is more than 2,5 million people.
The first record of this ancient ethnos is found in Chinese chronicles of the 201 BC. However, as the unit the Kirghizs people finally took shape at the end of the XV-XVI centuries. Historically, it is assumed that significant part in the formation of the Kirghiz as an ethnos played Yenisei Kirghiz, settled in the IX-X centuries on the Tien-Shan.
There are different versions explaining the meaning of the word "Kirghiz". The most common interpretation is the literal translation of the words "Kirk Kiz" which means "forty girls". According to another version, the word "Kirghiz" means wandering through the fields or a tramp, which is obviously connected with the nomadic style of life. However, according to some scientists ethnonym "Kirghiz" derives from the words not of turkic origin "kyryg" which means "red" or "a red people", linking, so the word "Kirgiz" with the external appearance of the inhabitants, the ancient Kyrgyz, description of which is found in various historical sources.
Kirghiz traditional occupation for many centuries has been nomadic cattle breeding. Nomads, crossed with cattle from one pasture to another seasonal pasture, in winter in the valleys, in summer in the mountains. Nomads were living in a total harmony with the nature, did not build cities and roads, and did not develop the industry. Scientific and technological progress was almost absent and life has not undergone significant changes over thousands of years (calendar was also absent as unnecessary). As a result of this way of life among the Kirghiz formed a certain national character features. Classic Kirghiz is unhurried and unconcerned, it is inherent in traditional Asian slowness. He likes to leisurely drink tea, talk about that and this. However, some of the best national qualities, such as traditional oriental hospitality are inherent in the Kirgiz people as well. According to the customs of the nomads, any traveler, even a complete stranger is your guest. Guest should feel comfortable, and you cannot refuse anything to him. People say that before it was customary even if the casual visitor praises something at your house you have to give it to him as a present. In addition, another wise tradition survived among the Kirghizs: respect for elders. Older people are highly respected and are taken care of until their death. After the elder people usually look the youngest son in the family, who inherits their property.
Family relationships among the Kirghizs are slightly different from the European ones. Even second relatives are considered as close ones. It is customary not only maintain contact with them, but also actively help each other, participate in important family events.
Definite habitat, climate conditions and way of life also had a great influence on the appearance of the Turkic people. They are notable for the mongoloid type of face, short stature, dark, straight and stiff hairs. Yellow complexion, narrow shape of eyes. Brown eye color is very common among the Kirghizs, but occasionally you can also see blue-eyed and red-haired representatives of this ethnic group.
Famous People of Kyrghyzstan
1. Kojomkul
2. Aitmatov
3. Prezhevalsky
4. Merzbaher
5. Balasagun
6. Frunze
7. Kurmanjan Datka
8. Shabdan Batyr
9. Tamerlane
10. Toktogul |
