Elements
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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00000438 Country Kyrgyzstan ICH Domain Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Others Address All regions of KyrgyzstanYear of Designation 2011
| Description | Since ancient times, nomads used to drink ‘kymyz’ from mare, cow and camel milk. Even now on ‘jailoo’ (pastures), the way of making kymyz remained the same as centuries ago. The most valued kymyz is made of mare’s milk. From spring until the late autumn, horses grace on mountain pastures. During this period, mare’s milk is collected. Traditionally, both men and women are engaged in the process. After the collection of the milk, it is poured into the leather bag ‘saba’ where the leaven of kymyz is always kept. Then the milk inside the cube is whipped thoroughly, for about half an hour using a stake. It takes about 12-15 hours for the kymyz to reach the condition. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Attributable to the cattle breeding, kumys has always born a special meaning for the Kyrgyz people and was considered the ultimate drink. The earliest traces of kumys consumption date back to the Eneolithic period (5500 years ago). Nomads have kept the process of making kumys a secret for centuries. Kyrgyz people have been making kumys from the time immemorial and highly valued its nutritional and healing properties. According to a Kyrgyz proverb: “Whoever drinks kumys will live forever.” This beverage considered to be the beverage of the heroes. Kumys is used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. It cools off the body, satisfies both hunger and thirst simultaneously, and replenishes the energy, in no way overfilling or burdening the stomach. |
| 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/informationMaterials related to
Photos
더보기-
PI00001314
Process of making kymyz on jailoo (pastures)
Kyrgyzstan -
PI00001315
Kymyz in the leather bag
Since ancient times, nomads used to drink ‘kymyz’ from mare's, cow's and camel's milk. The Kyrgyz transmitted traditional knowledge from generation to generation. Even now on ‘jailoo’ (pastures), the way of making kymyz remained the same as centuries ago. The most valued kymyz is made of mare’s milk. From spring until the late autumn, horses graze on mountain pastures. During this period, mare’s milk is collected. Traditionally, both men and women are engaged in the process. After the collection of the milk, it is poured into the leather bag ‘saba’ where the leaven of kymyz is always kept. Then the milk inside the saba is whipped thoroughly, for about half an hour using a stake. It takes about 12-15 hours for the kymyz to reach the condition. Kymyz contains various healing properties, since mare's milk possess almost all the vitamins necessary for a human. Especially, it is rich for vitamins A and C.
Kyrgyzstan -
PI00001313
Leather bag _saba_ and a wooden stake used for making kymyz
Kyrgyzstan -
PI00001312
Man and woman drinking kymyz
Since ancient times, nomads used to drink ‘kymyz’ from mare's, cow's and camel's milk. The Kyrgyz transmitted traditional knowledge from generation to generation. Even now on ‘jailoo’ (pastures), the way of making kymyz remained the same as centuries ago. The most valued kymyz is made of mare’s milk. From spring until the late autumn, horses graze on mountain pastures. During this period, mare’s milk is collected. Traditionally, both men and women are engaged in the process. After the collection of the milk, it is poured into the leather bag ‘saba’ where the leaven of kymyz is always kept. Then the milk inside the saba is whipped thoroughly, for about half an hour using a stake. It takes about 12-15 hours for the kymyz to reach the condition. Kymyz contains various healing properties, since mare's milk possess almost all the vitamins necessary for a human. Especially, it is rich for vitamins A and C.
Kyrgyzstan