Today, piled weaving is vividly demonstrated in the patterned piled carpets that are distinguished by their quality and durability. Sheep, caprine or camel hair is used for base of the carpets. Piled carpets are original and colorful as are other items of the applied and decorative arts of the Kyrgyz. Kyrgyz piled carpets, are weaved on a simple horizontal machine – ‘dyukoun’. Instruments of masters also include wooden comb – ‘tokmok’, which is used to nail picks and piles, a knife – to cut piled threads, and scissors – to trim the piles. Geometrical shapes are prevailing in the Kyrgyz piled carpets. These are: squares with jogged edges or elongated endings – ‘omurtka’, triangles – ‘tumarcha’, cross shaped figures – ‘chaidosh’, simple or stepped rhombs – ‘it taman’, star shaped forms – ‘jyldyz’ as well as various octangulars and etc. Plant and horn shaped motifs are also present in the ornaments such as ‘toguz doubou’ (nine hills), ‘alma kouchout’ (apple pattern) and etc.

Weaving simple carpets for everyday use. Carpets are weaved in special tool with wool, cotton and some time with silk threads.

Weaving simple carpets for everyday use. Carpets are weaved in special tool with wool, cotton and with silk threads. For coloring of carpets in some workshops use natural dyes

Traditional felt carpets represent one of the identity codes of the Kyrgyz people, and their recognizable, ethnographic features are an integral part of Kyrgyz cultural heritage. Kyrgyz people traditionally produce two types of felt carpets: Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdaks. Knowledge, skills, diversity, the semantics of ornaments, and the ceremonies of creating carpets, are all important cultural components. They provide Kyrgyz people with a sense of identity and continuity. Both types of felt carpets are included into the set of a traditional bride’s dowry. Shyrdaks sometimes are gifted for house-warming parties. The making of Kyrgyz felt carpets is inseparably linked with the everyday lifestyle of nomads, who used felt carpets to warm and decorate their homes. Ala-kiyiz are usually placed in the kitchen and the entrance area of the house. Shyrdaks are more complicated to produce and are more expensive, thus they are placed at the honourable part of the dwelling. The felt carpets ornaments reflect their creators’ outlooks and ideas about the Earth, water, mountains, celestial bodies and fertility.

Kyrgyzstan 2012

I am Rashila Maharjan. I am studying Anthropology in South Korea. Nowadays, Facebook walls are full of Dashain festival photos. Looking at the Dashain photos sent by my family and friends, I want to briefly share memories of Dashain when I was young. After a late scorching heat of summer, autumn is here. Days are shorter and nights are longer now. The cold breeze in the morning and evening gives me a sign telling, “Dashain ayo” which means “Dashain is here”. Dashain is a major and the longest festival in Nepal. A fifteen-day long festival is a most awaited festival in the year. This year it was celebrated from 7th October to 20th October. All the government agencies, educational institutions private offices get days off during this festival period. Dashain commemorates a great victory of gods over the wicked demons and it symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The story of good over evil is told throughout the festival. By this faith, people forgive each other, and convey greetings and best wishes to each other and pray for a year of a good harvest. On the auspicious occasion of Dashain, all houses are beautifully decorated, painted into different colors to roll out the red carpet for their guests. People do the shopping and buy new clothes. In the commemoration of the Dashain, a goat is slaughtered in every house for the preparation of a feast during the festival. With this preparation, family members and relatives, who had not seen or met for quite a while congregate and visit elders to seek Tika and Jamara, as well as a blessing. (According to the Hindu mythology, Tika (a red vermillion mark on forehead) is believed to give peace and calmness whereas Jamara (young saplings of rice seed tucked on ears) is said to be a sign of the blessing of goddess Durga.) On the other hand, elders of the family give tika as well as a blessing with cash gifts to the younger ones after receiving bows from them. One other activity throughout Dashain is flying kites, ridding on a traditional swing made by the bamboo tree, playing cards, etc. All members of the family gather and play cards while joking with each other, kids fly kites and ride on the swing. In the evening, people gather at the town square and share their stories. As in last year, COVID-19 has caused unleashed chaos and fear among the people. Despite the global pandemic the excitement and the spirit of the festival are not less than before. Nepal witnessed the Dashain celebration with a well-maintained social distance while on the contrary, people who are living abroad and can’t visit their home are using an online platform to celebrate the festival. Overall, Dashain is a grand and favorite festival for all age groups of people which symbolizes unity, harmony, and brotherhood. The autumn wind is blowing gently and the colors of leaves are changing in Korea. This cool weather and smell of autumn bring a feeling of Nostalgia that stems from memories of back to my homeland.