Central Asia
At jabuu (horse harness)
At jabuu (horse harness) represents a remarkable achievement of nomadic Kyrgyz culture. Its combination of function and aesthetics has been a long-standing source of...
Felt carpets (ala-kiyiz and shyrdak)
The art of making felt and felt carpets among Kyrgyz people has ancient historical roots dating back to the era of the early nomads,...
Chii (reed screen)
Chii is a tall, stiff, reed type steppe grass, with thin and dense, as if polished, stems. Various items made from it, which were...
Zergerlyk (jewellery)
Zergerlyk is a traditional Kazakh art of jewellery making. This art is transferred through generations from father to son, from master to journeyman. Each...
Aghash Oyu (wood carving)
Wood carving is widespread in Kazakhstan as a traditional craft. The yurt’s frame is entirely made of wood, including the shanyrakh (cylindrical top part),...
Textiles
Kazakh woven carpets fall into three general categories: pile carpets (tuktyi), flat-woven carpets (takhyr), functional and decorative tent bands for yurts (baskur, bau) made...
Tekemet and Syrmakh
Kyiz/kiiz/kigyz (felt/felt mat, in old Turkic ojlyk or covering) is a textile that is produced by pressing wool fibers together. Kiiz basu is a...
Folk musical instruments
One of the most widespread crafts in Kazakhstan is musical instrument making. Kazakhs produce a great diversity of folk musical instruments. There are more...
Leather and fur
Processing of leather, tailoring of leather clothes, footwear, hats, accessories, production of leather household items are spread across Kazakhstan. The most common material is...
Kiim (traditional costume)
Unique pieces of old clothes are dated first millennia B.C. to the first century A.D. and belong to Saka royals. These pieces can be found in...
Keste embroidery
Keste is traditional Kazakh hand embroidery with colorful threads, needle or hook (biz/ilme) and wooden hoop (kergysh). In Kazakh, keste means “scheme”. Samples of...
Horse riding gear and equipment
Horses are a major part of the Kazakh culture. Breeding horses started in Kazakhstan thousands years ago and continues to this day. For a...