Elements
Traditional knowledge related to the technique of leather work and leather products manufacturing
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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00000432 Country Kyrgyzstan ICH Domain Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Traditional craft skills Address Leather work and leather products manufacturing are mainly engaged in the Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, Chui regions.Year of Designation 2008
| Description | Historically, livestock herding has been one of the main livelihoods of the Kyrgyz people. That is why leather crafting has become an important craft and many household items are made out of leather. The skin of such domestic and wild animals as cows, horses, camels, yaks, sheep, goats, foxes, otters, mountain goats and deer is used for leathercraft. Sheep and goat skin is most widely used due to their accessibility. Sheep leather is used for making shoes and cloths. In the context of nomadic and pastoral lifestyle, dishes made out of leather are still popular. The vessels for milk products such as sabaa, kookor, konok, konochok were made out of processed camel of cow skin. The vessels are smoked with juniper or pine branches before use. Cattle skin is used to make leather for some household items such as wooden chests for dishes and utensils, horse tack (stirrups, various strips, reigns and whips), etc. Both women and men are engaged in leather work. At the same time there is a clear separation in labor. E.g. only men slaughter and skin animals. Men also process leather for horse tack and other large things. Women process skin of smaller animals such as sheep and goats. Women make such household items as vessels for milk products, various bags, sacks and cup-holders. Kyrgyz people tried to decorate leather items just like any other household item. There were many ways to decorate leather items. E.g. cup-holders were decorated with silver clips or patterns were craved right on the surface of leather. Leather items were made in different shapes. E.g. kookor, a vessel for kymyz, was made in a shape of an anchor, cup holders were cylindrical or semi-spherical. Carving or stamping patterns on the leather surface looks very good because it livens up the monotonous surface and makes it more pleasing to eye. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Due to the fact that the Kyrgyz people led a nomadic lifestyle, everything including dwellings, clothes, food, horse harness and household, was adapted to the nomadic living conditions. As a result, only crafts that were necessary for life and economy were developed. Leather processing and leather craft occupied a special place in the development of the handicraft art of the Kyrgyz people. Numerous leather items were part of the everyday life of the Kyrgyz people. The processed leather was used to make dishes, shoes, and clothes necessary for living. Usually, each family independently dressed pelts obtained both from domestic animals and as a result of hunting. The manufacture of leather elements of horse harness such as girths, bridles, breastplates, undertails, leather saddles, etc., acquired the paramount importance in the conditions of a nomadic economy. Vessels for carrying water and storing kumys were also sewn from leather. Even though leather industry was mostly the responsibility of men, women also took active part in leather manufacturing and processing. |
| Transmission method | Traditional knowledge has been transmitted from father to son and in the craftsmen communities. Leather products have long been made by craftsmen who knew the secrets of leather processing and used different methods. |
| Community | Community of craftspeople, masters of technique of leather processing and leather products manufacturing. |