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This Week in Photos: May 12th to 20th – The Road to Osh

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Title Image: Ala-Bell Pass- On the road to Osh vendors gather to sell honey products in the lush hills of the Ala-Too range.

The road from the Kyrgz capital city of Bishkek to the country’s southern capital of Osh is an unforgetable journey that brings travelers through the Ala-Too mountain range to the lush and fertile lands of the Ferghana Valley. Among the melting snow Kyrgyz gather along the road side to sell fermented mares milk and kurut. In the south children block the road selling fresh produce, the most popular of which is rhubarb.

During this 12 hour journey through high mountain passes and sharp cut backs partially blocked by landslides, one gets a true taste of the diversity within Kyrgyzstan.

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Posted in Arts & Culture | 1 Response »
Tags: Arts & Culture, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Landscape, Osh, Photos, Travel

Nowruz: Family, Horses & Scissors

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Title Image: Nowruz Feast- Villagers of Kurpuldek gather to celebrate Nowruz

From the deserts of Northwestern China to the shores of the Adriatic Sea many cultures have long celebrated the ancient Persian holiday of Nowruz. This festival usually observed on the 20th or 21st March marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Bringing together families, friends, and entire communities, Nowruz is filled with a variety of festivities and cultural traditions that are of great importance to the peoples of Central Asia

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Tags: Arts & Culture, Central Asia, Cuisine, Cultural Institutions, nowruz, Photos

This Week in Photos: March 5th to 15th-Osh Bazaar

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Title Image: Salam- The sellers of Bishkek’s Osh Bazaar wait for potential customers, showing off their best cuts to any interested passerby.

Bazaars have long served as an important place for the exchange of goods and information. Nearly all wares ranging from electronics to clothes can be bought for a fraction of the price. The hustle and bustle of Bishkek’s Osh Bazaar offers a fascinating glimpse into this locally preferred method of commerce.

Osh bazaar is the largest of the city’s three markets, and consists of indoor and outdoor sellers. Individuals travel from distant villages selling livestock, local foodstuffs, and fresh vegetables. Fragrant spices and vibrant produce paired with calls of anxious sellers makes Osh Bazaar an unforgettable experience.

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Posted in Arts & Culture | 1 Response »
Tags: Arts & Culture, Bishkek, Central Asia, Cuisine, Cultural Institutions, Kyrgyzstan, Photos

Photos: Salborün Festival- The Captured Wolf Part 3

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Salborün Taigen and Bird Festival from Sons of Hedin on Vimeo.

This 2 day festival on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul in the town of Cholpon-Ata draws the regions best hunting dogs, eagle hunters, and falcon handlers in all of Kyrgyzstan. Such festivities reflect the Kyrgyz people’s nomadic past.

The final event of the festival is only opened to the most respected Berktuchi and Taigen who must hunt a live wolf. This fierce and sometimes gory battle frequently results in mortal wounds. For the sake of sportsmanship, festival officials attempted to place a bit in the wolf’s mouth to no avail, settling for a heavy chain tethering her to a lead weight.

Within rural communities, Kyrgyz have long raised Taigen and trained Eagles to protect both the lives of their livestock and family. This captured wolf was responsible for killing 68 sheep, 20 cows, and 17 horses. Such an unfathomable number of lost cattle and sheep is enough to impoverish any community.

The following section is the final segment of a 3 part series.

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Posted in Arts & Culture | 23 Responses »
Tags: Arts & Culture, Baiting, Berktuchi, Central Asia, Cultural Practices, Festival, golden eagle, Issyk Kul, Kyrgyz Hunting, Kyrgyzstan, Photos, Taigan, taigen, Wolf

Photos: Salborün Taigen and Bird Festival Part 2

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Title Image: Taigen, a Kyrgyz Hunting dog, won the race after running for nearly 2 miles in pursuit of a stuff foxed.

This 2 day festival on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul in the town of Cholpon-Ata draws the regions best hunting dogs, eagle hunters, and falcon handlers in all of Kyrgyzstan. Festivities range from eagle hunting of pheasants; Taigen also known as Kyrgyz hunting dog racing; to wolf baiting.These long standing traditions have an important place within Kyrgyz culture and reflect their nomadic past.

Within rural communities, Kyrgyz have long raised Taigen, a brave sight hound bred for mountainous environments. These dogs known for their sharp teeth and agility are excellent wolf hunters. Their prey generally consists of deer, ibex, fox, rabbit,and wolf.

Kyrgyz have been known to use Taigen in conjunction with eagles while hunting wolves. A Taigen’s speed and agility gives them a competitive edge over wolves, who are no match for these dog’s exceptionally long teeth. Taigen’s tactic of heel biting incapacitates their prey to prevent escape allowing their master enough time to finish their victim off.

The following section is a segment of a 3 part series concluding with a video highlighting the entire event.

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Tags: Festival, Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan, Photos, Taigan, taigen