It is one of Kyrgyzstan's foremost arts and a part of their cultural heritage that felt carpets are produced.
The shyrdak, also known as the syrmak, and Ala kiyiz usually are stitched, and often colorful a floor- or wall covering made by pressing felts of different colors together, which are not dyed, and is common among Kazakhs and Kyrgyz.
These carpets reflect their culture in many ways, including knowledge, skills, diversity, ornamentation, and ceremony, all of which contribute to a sense of identity and continuity.
The process of doing this creates a stunning visual image. The felt is cut from the top and is not wasted, it is used to create another mirror image shyrdak with the reverse colors of the original shyrdak, usually symbolic of the water, goat horns, a yurt, etc.
Felt has been used for weaving carpets and other things by the Kyrgyz for centuries. The improvement and perfection of the weaving process of Kyrgyz carpets have been affected by many factors including the conditions of life, climate, natural environment, and social factors. Due to the subtlety of artistic devices and techniques the Kyrgyz carpets are famous for their high quality.
In the past the Kyrgyz traditionally have not considered carpet weaving a business or commercial activity, they mainly woven carpets for their own needs. This has changed now that Kyrgyz carpets have gained a good reputation throughout the world.
Making Kyrgyz felt carpets is inseparable from the everyday life of nomads, who use felt carpets to warm and decorate their homes. The creation of felt carpets requires a sense of unity among the community, and the transmission of traditional knowledge is often done by older women who live in rural or mountainous areas, to younger women within families.
There are numerous challenges facing Kyrgyz felt carpets, including a lack of interest in the craft among young people, insufficient State policy to safeguard the craft, scarcity and decreasing quality of raw materials, as well as the arrival of cheap, synthetic carpets, which threaten the economic viability of the craft.
A five-year safeguarding plan includes several activities, including improving the availability of raw materials, promoting greater awareness of the Kyrgyz carpet-making art at home and abroad, and promoting greater awareness of the safeguarding plan.
The plan focuses on economic promotion and encourages the Kyrgyz government to consider funding sources and sustainability. The UNESCO encourages the Kyrgyzstan government to ensure that knowledge and techniques are transmitted and to make the holders of the safeguarding measures, especially those promoting the rug industry, the primary beneficiaries.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/ala-kiyiz-and-shyrdak-art-of-kyrgyz-traditional-felt-carpets-00693) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_kiyiz) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shyrdak) (https://en.wikirug.org/wiki/Kyrgyz_Carpet) |Subject=Art, Craftsmanship and Practices |Country=Kyrgyzstan |SDG=(04) Quality Education, (08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production }}