The Kirgiz People

The Kirgiz people are found in the Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture of Xinjiang, a region with exotic landscapes and rich legends. This autonomous region borders the mountainous Taklimakan desert; however, the area pertaining to the Kirgiz is good for farming and pastureland. Others of this people group are scattered in southern and northern Xinjiang and in Fuyu County of Heilongjiang Province.

Kirgiz ancestors were known as the "Jiankuns," Jigas," or "Jilijis." China's Kirgiz descend from the Kirgiz who lived in the former Soviet Union whose forefathers inhabited the upper reaches of the Yenisey River area. Their language belongs to the Turkic branch of the Altaic language family while their script is based on the Arabic alphabet. However, many Kirgiz words were borrowed from the Chinese language.

Kirgiz live the life of a nomad, traveling year-round with their white tents and herds of cattle and sheep. They live on plains near rivers in the summer and on sunny mountain slopes during the winter. Their square tents are made of felt and are fenced around with red willow stakes. Families generally have three generations living together with married sons living with their parents.

Men herd the horses and cattle, cut grass and wood and do heavy household chores. Women lead a hard life. They raise children, look after their husbands and in-laws, tend to the household chores, knit carpets, make felt rugs, milk the horses and tend to the sheep. They are responsible for milking and shearing them as well as delivering the lambs. Nevertheless, their social status has improved since liberation with its advocacy for gender equality and, since then, women have received higher positions.

Women wear loose jackets that reach just above their knees with long skirts. They use bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings. Men wear fur or felt hats with tall, square crowns and rolled up rims. Their collars and cuffs are covered with embroidery. They do not have long hair or whiskers.

Kirgiz play musical instruments. A distinctive instrument is the komuz, a type of three-stringed lute. From childhood on, all Kirgiz can play it. Their songs express the people's anger, joys, sorrows and losses. They have a tradition of songs, lullabies, wedding songs, melodies to say good-bye to a guest, songs for the herds and others. They also have a traditional oral literature that includes their famous epic poem, "Manas." Manas is the story's hero whose descendants are the Kirgiz people.

The Kirgiz are a brave, uninhibited and hospitable people. They honor their guests and pay attention to etiquette. The family will give a guest the best of their food, usually a dinner of mutton. The guest must leave food in his bowl to show the host that he is a generous host and that the guest has had more than his fill of food. When a guest arrives, the host unsaddles the guest's horse; when a guest leaves, the host saddles it for him.

Kirgiz have many taboos, which include where one can relieve oneself, how one ought to speak to another and an abhorrence of lying and cursing.

For both engagements and weddings, the Kirgiz hold formal ceremonies. Weddings are times of celebration when they play games, race horses, wrestle, sing and dance. Winners of these events are awarded gifts. The bride takes her dowry after the wedding and goes to live with her husband.

The Kirgiz celebrate the Noloz Festival, which is celebrated in the same way the Chinese celebrate the Spring Festival. They eat meat from the animals they tend, cabbages, onions and potatoes. As a beverage they drink goat's milk, yogurt and tea with milk and salt. They are also hard drinkers.

Most Kirgiz are Muslims although some are Lamest Buddhists. Their Islamic faith reflects mixtures of animism and, for the most part, they are unfamiliar with the tenets of their faith and belief system. Their conversion to Islam is fairly recent as they only accepted this faith 100 years ago. The Lamaist Kirgiz have shamanistic gods. One, the snake god, is the recipient of their sacrifices and worship.

Links:
http://www.orientaltravel.com/people/Kirgiz.htm