Kyrgyzstan. Traditions of Nomads

Over the relentless passage of time the nomads were forced to change their lifestyle – in that they had to settle down. The seemingly «hard rock» of customs and traditions, once resolutely observed, began to be eroded away. Whilst some traditions and customs of the Kyrgyz nomadic tribes were left behind in the far-flung past, to be reflected in legends and eposes, (epic poems), others prevail to the present day, either unchanged or slightly transformed. The purpose of this book is to uncover for readers the diversity of national ceremonies, customs and traditions, born in those ancient times when the Kyrgyz people were still a nomadic people.