Felt workshop

From ancient times felt was used by Nomads. The Bible says that the felt was accidentally discovered by Noah while observing the sheep during wanderings on the ark. Felt is easy to use. It is an excellent insulating material. Besides felt clothes, people start to make “yurts”, carpets, bags, later jewelry. 3,5 kg of wool could be obtained from one sheep. It was required 100-120kg of wool for the yurt production. The raw material was not only wool from sheep, but also camel, cow and horse. We learned to decorate, dye, cut felt quickly enough. The ornaments displayed animal style. Until now Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, Turkmen, Uzbeks continue traditions of their ancestors. Kyrgyz people have three types of carpets made from felt: shyrdak (mosaic carpets), ala kiyiz (the pattern is laid out immediately from colored felt), chiy (using dry cane grass), tush-kiyiz (later they began to sew them only from fabrics). In 2012, household items from felt, the Kyrgyz shyrdak and ala-kiyiz, were added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.
On the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake in the village of Kyzyl Tuu through generations engaged in the manufacture of yurts. 80% of the villagers are involved in the production. Tourists can visit the workshops, learn about the manufacturing process firsthand. The neighboring village of Bokonbaevo, which is 30 km from Kyzyl Tuu, is famous for carpet weaving. It produces shyrdaks and ala kiyiz. Carpets and yurts from these places are known for their quality abroad.