Materials
carpets
ICH Materials 82
Videos
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Making Ala-Kiyiz, the Method of Making Shyrdak
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, 2012\nAla-kiyiz is the most vivid example of Kyrgyz handicrafts. Translated as “motley felt,” ala-kiyiz represents a felt carpet with ornaments heaved onto its upper surface. It is mostly a carpet for everyday use rather than as element of decoration.\n\nShyrdak is made with a mosaic technique and is one of the most complex techniques in felt carpet making. One of the most important qualities of shyrdak is its durability. The average lifecycle of a shyrdak is approximately a hundred years, sometimes even longer.
Kyrgyzstan 2017 -
Tush-kiyiz—Traditional Skills in Making Wall Carpets
The centuries-old nomadic way of life of the Kyrgyz people contributed to the high skill level of women in crafts development. Tush-kiyiz, an embroidered wall carpet, is a fine example of Kyrgyz decorative and applied art. Tush-kiyiz was given a special place in the interior of the yurt. Embroidered panels of cloth—satin, silk, or another fabric—tush-kiyiz is framed with a broad band of black velvet, on which is usually sew one, two, or three fringed triangles. Tush-kiyiz have always been created as a personal family heirloom, symbolizing a newly married couple’s union with family.
Kyrgyzstan 2017