Kazakhstan

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...
Wood Carving

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...

Sukek (bone carving)

Kazakh bone carvers (suyekshi) use traditional technique of bone processing and carving. Samples of bone carving found in Central Kazakhstan are attributed to the...

Bessyk (cradle) and Sandyq (trunk)

The bessyk is a wooden cradle constructed to protect a baby from wind, humidity, and insects. Whenever Kazakhs moved from summer pasture to winter one...

Armory art

Traditional armory art has a special place in Kazakh cultural heritage. Today traditional armory is a status thing, souvenir or interior accessory. The variety...