Archive

Elements

Traditional knowledge related to making of ‘Besh barmak’
English List
  • 1/1
    이전 다음
    확대
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00000442
    Country Kyrgyzstan
    ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    All regions of Kyrgyzstan
    Year of Designation 2008
Description Beshbarmak is one of the favorite traditional Kyrgyz dishes. Nowadays, none of the feast or festivities can do without preparing beshbarmak. Beshbarmak is boiled lamb cut into very small pieces and mixed with homemade noodles cooked in the lamb broth. It is served with an onion sauce called ‘chyk’ and broth (‘sorpo’). Traditionally beshbarmak is eaten with hands. That is why it is called besh barmak, which literally means five thumbs. When eating meat, guest sit in groups of two or four people. The plate with meat is given to each group. Within each group, the joints with meat are distributed according to the status of each person. Also, some beshbarmak is also left at the bottom of the big plate for those young women and men who were busy running errands outside.
Social and cultural significance Beshbarmak is not just a regular meal for the Kyrgyz people. It reflects century-old traditions and philosophy of the people. The especially esteemed guests are met and seen off with beshbarmak. The level of respect for certain persons or parties was displayed through the process of distributing ustukans (joints with meat). Thereby, after the distribution of ustukans, everyone learned the place and status they hold in the house or in the community. Wars started because of the incorrectly distributed ustukan. The preparation of beshbarmak is exclusively the province of men. Women are responsible for only cooking the noodles for beshbarmak. Beshbarmak is a social dish. It is never served individually, but offered in large platters for several people, so the people could enjoy the meal while sitting closely next to each other, cutting the meat together, and discussing the common topics. Beshbarmak unites and brings people together. Beshbarmak teaches children to respect the elders - the children wait until the elder touches the meat first, then they wait for their ustukan and, after finally having received it, children thank the elders. Elders always give their wishes and blessings to the younger ones. At the end of the meal, the elders express their gratitude to the God and the owner of the house.
Transmission method The specific features and knowledge concerning the element has been mainly transmitted in a natural way through demonstration
Community Community of traditional cooking practitioners and wider community
Keyword
Information source
National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO
https://en.unesco.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/information
List

Materials related to

Photos