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Kazakh traditional yurt (nomadic dwelling) marks_1
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00001330
    Country Kazakhstan
    ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Traditional craft skills
    Address
    Previously, the skills on making of Kazakh Yurts were disseminated country-wide. For now it is presented by very limited number of families at Southeastern Kazakhstan and Mangystau province.
Description Yurt (kaz. 'kigiz uy', 'kiiz uy') - portable housing with dismountable wooden circular frame with felt covering. Its origins date back to the era of ancient Turkic nomads. For modern population of Kazakhstan yurt is not only housing, and the model of the universe; it is also a symbol of their national identity. A yurt is a round folding wooden frame covered with felt and rope weaving. The frame of the yurt consisting of four parts: • kerege - ready-sliding base • 'uyk' ('uyq') - dome poles, roof (modern) • shanyrak ('shanyrak') - circular top, a chimney and a window (modern) • yessyk ('esik') - double doors (modern) Tent can be easily assembled and disassembled in a short period of time. Yurt is mainly characterized as easily transportable, compact, ecological and practical home. The yurt used as livestock housing in their daily life and urban residents as a gazebo, which reinforces the sense of the continuity of the traditions of their ancestors.
Social and cultural significance Yurts are basically characterized as easily transportable, compact, ecological and practical dwellings. Yurts are an obligatory part of national festivities, traditional events and funeral-memorial rituals; yurts are kept in the family and transmitted from parents to their children as a sacred family relic ensuring ancestors’ protection. As such, the yurt remains a symbol of family and traditional hospitality, fundamental to the identity of the Kazakh peoples.
Transmission method Knowledge and skills are transmitted through generations traditionally from masters to their apprentices (oral instructions, practical classes, joint production). The element is a great value and heritage received genetically or through learning, enriched by masters and transmitted to young generations.
Community The community concerned with the nominated element are craftspeople (men and women) producing yurts and yurt interior decorations. Men and their apprentices make yurts’ wooden frames, traditionally by hand using special devices and instruments. Men also make wooden, leather, bone and metal details for yurts and household items. Women make yurt coverings and interior decorations. Usually, they work in community-based groups supervised by experienced skilled women-artisans. Women-artisans use weaving, spinning, braiding, felting, embroidering, sewing, winding and other traditional handicraft technologies. Women’s work- process is usually accompanied by their singing, joking, telling stories about famous masters of the past and treating traditional meals.
Type of UNESCO List Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Incribed year in UNESCO List 2014
Keyword
Information source
Kazakhstan National Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage

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