Nomadic Life in Kyrgyzstan

KYRGYZSTAN | Wednesday, 9 January 2013 | Views [788] | View Smaller Image

Dogs are very important for herding the cattle over vast stretches of land. Herding however, is mainly a man’s job. The women do most of their work in and around the yurts. The daughter of a family living in a yurt in the highland area around Song-Kul lake, proudly shows one of their puppies. The pup will grow out to be an excellent cattle driver. In a way, the nomadic life seems hard and lonely at times. Perhaps this is the reason why animals are so loved in Kyrgyzstan.

Tags: nomads, kyrgyzstan, girl, pup

In search of the best grounds to graze on, families take their cattle to the highlands of the Kyrgyz mountain ranges. There, the best grazing areas are alongside various streams which are carving winding paths towards the valleys and lakes. The air is extremely dry, the sun can be unforgivably hot and there are hardly any places of shelter. Conditions are hard and sudden weather changes can be fatal as rock avalanches and landslides are not uncommon.

Aside from the dangers, the usual scenery is breath taking in Kyrgyzstan. I genuinely wonder sometimes whether the Kyrgyz people themselves still notice this.

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For most families the summer is the only season to earn money for making it through winter. The highland areas are not suited for staying during winter because of the snow. Therefore, they break up their yurts at the end of summer and move down to their poor shacks in the valley cities. In a way, Kyrgyz people may be referred to as ‘seasonal’ nomads.

Each spring, when the snow melts, the families take their yurt and other belongings again and move up the highlands. This seasonal nomadic cycle continues forever, only interrupted by occasional trips to the valley in the summer to sell cattle and stock up on goods. By spending time with Kyrgyz families, it becomes clear they value the nomadic life far above life in the cities. Summer means space, freedom and abundance.

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Nomadic Life in Kyrgyzstan

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