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ICH Elements 26
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Heritage of Korkyt Ata: epic culture, folk tales and music
The epic culture, folk tales and music of Korkyt Ata are based on twelve heroic legends, stories and tales and thirteen traditional musical compositions shared and transmitted across the generations through oral expressions, performing arts, cultural codes and musical compositions. Korkyt Ata appears in each story as a legendary figure and wise individual, a sage of minstrels whose words, music and expressions of wisdom relate to traditions of birth, marriage and death. In the musical compositions, the main intonations are reproduced using a musical instrument called the Kobyz through the sounds of nature, and imitation soundscapes are characteristic of this medium (such as the imitation of a wolf’s howl or a swan’s note). The musical compositions are all interconnected by the epic stories that accompany them. The element encompasses social, cultural and moral values such as heroism, dialogue, physical and spiritual wellness and unity as well as respect for nature, and contains profound knowledge about the history and culture of Turkic-speaking communities. It is practiced and sustained by the community concerned on a wide variety of occasions – from family events to national and international festivals – and is therefore well-rooted in society, serving as a connecting thread between generations.
Kazakhstan 2018 -
Kazakh traditional art of Dombra Kuy
Traditional Kazakh dombra kuy (kaz 'kuy') - instrumental play performed on dombra - a traditional pear-shaped musical instrument with two strings and a long neck. The true meaning of kuy execution dates back to the sacred relationship with the Creator and the desire to establish the internal harmony of the individual. Kazakhs say 'Kuy - Tanyrdyn sybyry' ('Kuy - a whisper of Tengri'). Dombra had been hung on the wall of each nomad house (yurta) for the play before guests and home owners. The art of DombraKuy refers to a short solo composition performed on a traditional pear-shaped, long-necked, two-stringed, plucked musical instrument known as a dombra. The music aims to connect people to their historic roots and traditions through classical and improvised pieces that engage the audience at a spiritual and emotional level. Public engagement in the performance serves as one of the most important means of social communication between people and contributes to the transfer of knowledge and skills related to Kazakh culture. The music is usually accompanied by narrated stories and legends. It is traditionally performed at social gatherings, holidays and festive celebrations, amid a rich variety of food and musical entertainment. It serves as a vital social and cultural experience, strengthening people’s identity and promoting solidarity and mutual understanding in society. Aspiring and talented musicians are apprenticed to masters from the moment a child demonstrates an interest in the philosophy and virtuosity of traditional music and performance. Amateur musicians then apprentice themselves to other more experienced and talented performers from their region to increase their skills and repertoire.
Kazakhstan 2014 -
Traditional knowledge in making Kyrgyz yurt ‘Boz ui’
The yurt is a nomadic dwelling used Kyrgyz people. It has a wooden circular frame covered with felt and braided with ropes, and can be easily assembled and dismantled within a short period of time. The bearers of yurt-making knowledge are craftspeople, both men and women, who produce yurts and their interior decorations. Yurts are made from natural and renewable raw materials. Men and their apprentices make the wooden frames by hand, along with wooden, leather, bone and metal details. Women make the interior decorations and exterior coverings, ornamented with traditional zoomorphic, vegetative or geometric patterns. All festivities, ceremonies, births, weddings and funeral rituals are held in a yurt.
Kyrgyzstan 2014 -
Kazakh traditional yurt (nomadic dwelling)
Yurt (kaz. 'kigiz uy', 'kiiz uy') - portable housing with dismountable wooden circular frame with felt covering. Its origins date back to the era of ancient Turkic nomads. For modern population of Kazakhstan yurt is not only housing, and the model of the universe; it is also a symbol of their national identity. A yurt is a round folding wooden frame covered with felt and rope weaving. The frame of the yurt consisting of four parts: •\tkerege - ready-sliding base •\t'uyk' ('uyq') - dome poles, roof (modern) •\tshanyrak ('shanyrak') - circular top, a chimney and a window (modern) •\tyessyk ('esik') - double doors (modern) Tent can be easily assembled and disassembled in a short period of time. Yurt is mainly characterized as easily transportable, compact, ecological and practical home. The yurt used as livestock housing in their daily life and urban residents as a gazebo, which reinforces the sense of the continuity of the traditions of their ancestors.
Kazakhstan 2014 -
Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, epic culture, folk tales and music
The epic, folk and musical heritage of Dede Qorqud/ Korkyt Ata/ Dede Korkut is based on twelve heroic legends, stories and tales and 13 traditional musical compositions (in Kazakhstan, Kuys of Korkyt Ata) that have been shared and transmitted from generations to generations, through oral expressions, performing arts, cultural codes and musical compositions. The element contains social, cultural, moral values such as heroism, dialogue, physical and spiritual wellness and unity as well as respect to nature that are still maintained by all parts of society Dede Qorqud /Korkyt Ata/ Dede Korkut appears in each story as a legendary character and is a wise person, a sage of minstrels whose words, music and expressions of wisdom are related to traditions of birth, marriage and death. In Korkyt's musical compositions, the main intonations are reproduced on Kobyz (musical instrument), through the sounds of nature, and imitations of soundscapes are characteristic for this medium, e.g. imitation of the howl of a wolf, a swan's note, a horse's run, the whoosh of an arrow, a dog's yawl, a baby's cry, a lullaby, etc. The feature of Korkyt's musical compositions is their interconnection with each other through the epic stories which accompany each musical composition. The element was safeguarded due to its bearers – community of epic and tale narrators and music performers. Today, the element is transmitted in two ways: informal – within the family or community, and formal - in various educational institutions. From family events to national and international festivities the element is sustained and practiced during a wide variety of occasions in various cultural spaces and therefore it is well rooted in society. For the Turkic speaking communities, the element is the connecting thread of generations and unites them today.
Azerbaijan,Kazakhstan,Turkey 2018 -
Seasonal customs and rituals
Seasonal customs and rituals circle is a kind of encyclopedia of the life of the people. Uzbekistan also has a number of seasonal rites and holidays. Uzbek seasonal celebrations should be classified as follows: 1) winter parties or circles (gap gastak); 2) spring holidays – Navruz, Shohmoylar (harnessing of bulls in soha, i.e. the beginning of plowing), Holidays of tulips and roses, Loy tutish (clay supply, i.e. the beginning of building a house), etc.; 3) from summer celebrations, the "Qovun saili" (melon festival), "Choi momo" etc; 4) autumn holidays related to harvesting - Mehrgan, "Uzum saili" (grape festival), etc.
Uzbekistan -
Cookery
Uzbek cuisine (cookery) today is a special national brand. It is no coincidence that every year it is gaining increasing popularity in the countries of near and far abroad. The great culinary heritage of the Uzbek people has passed the test of time. Each new era brought new products and new technologies. Accepting new things and developing, Uzbek cuisine has invariably remained national, bright and original. It is the highest dignity, wealth and special harmony of Uzbek cuisine that attract an increasing number of fans around the world to it. With a three-thousand-year history, the gastronomy of Uzbekistan is distinguished by its diversity, calorie content, healing properties, as well as its aesthetic qualities. At the same time, the traditions and culture of cooking, characteristic of our region, form a nationwide culinary art.
Uzbekistan -
Flatbread making and sharing culture: Katyrma
The culture of flatbread making and sharing, represented in this nomination with the names Katyrma, is a set of traditional knowledge and rituals related to preparation and sharing of traditional thin bread that performs specific cultural and social functions within the related communities in Kazakhstan and is transmitted from generation to generation. Flatbread tradition is symbol of shared cultural identity and serves as expression of mutual respect among communities. Tradition bearers usually prepare the flatbread from unleavened or leavened dough based on flour, salt and water, while also adding sometimes milk, butter, sesame and poppy seeds. Communities use different types of crops to prepare the dough, such as wheat and rye. Some communities in Kazakhstan bake the flatbread by laying out rolled dough in big cauldrons (‘kazan’) heated on fire. As a result of this baking style, practitioners manage to maintain nutritious qualities of the flatbreads and store them for several months without refrigerator. Various methods, techniques, instruments and substances are used by flatbread-preparing practitioners.
Kazakhstan 2016 -
Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz and Kazakh yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings)
Yurt production includes knowledge and skills in creating a portable dwelling traditionally used by Kazakh and Kyrgyz people. Yurt has a dismountable wooden circular frame covered with felt and braided with ropes. Yurts can be easily set up and dismantled within a short period of time. Yurts are basically characterized as easily transportable, compact, ecological and practical dwellings. Bearers of yurt-making traditional knowledge are craftspeople (men and women), producing yurts and yurts’ interior decorations. Men and their apprentices make yurts’ wooden frames, traditionally by hand using special devices and instruments. Men also make wooden, leather, bone and metal details for yurts and household items. Women make yurt coverings and interior decorations. As a rule, they work in community-based groups supervised by experienced skilled women-artisans. Women-artisans use weaving, spinning, braiding, felting, embroidering, sewing, winding and other traditional handicraft technologies. Women’s work- process is usually accompanied by their singing, joking, telling stories about famous masters of the past and treating traditional meals. Clans’ wise elders are also bearers. Knowledge and skills are transmitted through generations traditionally from masters to their apprentices (oral instructions, practical classes, joint production). The element is a great value and heritage received genetically or through learning, enriched by masters and transmitted to young generations. Joint production of yurts gives craftspeople the “one-family” feeling; the use of yurts by livestock-breeders as their dwellings in everyday life and by urban citizens as their summer-houses generates the feeling of continuity of ancestors’ traditions. Yurts are an obligatory part of all national festivities, traditional events and funeral-memorial rituals; yurts are kept in the family and transmitted from parents to their children as a sacred family relic ensuring ancestors’ protection. For Kyrgyz and Kazakh people the Yurt is not only a dwelling and the Universe model; but also a symbol of their national identity. Yurt’s top crown shanyrak and tyundyuk are depicted on the state symbols of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – coat of arms and flag. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Heads of State receive honourable guests in Yurt.
Kyrgyzstan,Kazakhstan 2014 -
Traditional knowledge related to the wood carving and wood product manufacture
Wood carving and wood product manufacture among the Kyrgyz originated in ancient times. An example is the manufacture of wooden parts of the yurt, komuz, which have become the pinnacle of the handicraft creativity of the people. Modern travelers are very familiar with the Kyrgyz yurt, construction of which is made only of wood by the true masters. Wood items decorated with carvings and paintings have been harmoniously fit into the complex of interior of the yurt. These are chests ‘sandyk’, wooden bases on which felt mats, carpets and bedding items are placed; coffrets for food, cloth and horse gear hangers ‘ala bakan’; boxes for dishes, stirrer for kymyz ‘pishkek’, biler for drinks and other liquids, wooden blocks for lamps – ‘chirak paya’. Woodworks are done by the men named as ‘jygach usta’. Materials used for different woodworks depend on elasticity or firmness of the wooden species: birch, cottonwood, sump-weed, juniper or nut-tree. They are cut easily and flexible enough to get desired shape. Instruments used in woodworks are: saw, adze, single bitted axe, knife, hewing with blade in the form of groove, hatchet with plane, wood auger, strop used to make walls of the yurt.
Kyrgyzstan -
Religious rites
Islam plays a large role in the social and family life of Uzbeks. At the same time, Uzbeks cannot be called fanatical Muslims - for all the multifaceted nature of local life, there is always a lot of secular in it, and the tolerance of local residents is widely known outside the country. As you know, a faithful Muslim must turn to God five times a day at a certain time ("namaz"), voluntarily deduct from his income the benefits of the poor or for godly deeds, during the month of Ramazan observe fasting, make a pilgrimage, etc. Many Uzbeks try to follow these requirements. Also, religious customs and traditions of Uzbeks include the celebration of Kurban bayram and Iid al-Fitr, attend Friday prayers, take seriously their family duties, perform charity and other godly deeds.
Uzbekistan -
Kobyz - Traditional musical instrument and the art of playing
Kobyz (kaz. 'qobyz', 'qyl-qobyz') - is an ancient Kazakh bow two-stringed musical instrument and an essential attribute of rites conducted voodoo ('baqsy', 'qam') - a shaman. Kobyz belongs to the class of chordophones. It is manufactured by the special manufacturing technology from a single piece of wood - juniper (arsha, archa), maple, pine or birch. Kobyz id subdivided into three functional parts: 'bas' - a head, upper part, middle part; 'Keude' (base) - a middle part - is made in the form of an open cup, extended downward. Inside the cup is attached mirror. The bottom part - ayak (legs) part of the tool is tightened with camel skin ('deka'). The support (tiek) is based on the bottom part. Sounds of kobyz, removed by rubbing with a bow-string. The bow has an arcade shape and resembles a bow weapon: the bun of horsehair is tied to both ends of the bent branch and fixed by the strong thread of camel wool. Strings for kobyz are made of a bundle of 30-60 non-woven horsehair ('qyl'), which give a very dense timbre rich in overtones. General instrument construction and its decoration detail were combined into an integral system that reflected the inner world and the philosophy of the Kazakhs. The tradition of making kobyz and playing of kobyz music was very specific for traditional environment and professional communities.
Kazakhstan