Category: Blog

The book is based on field research conducted from 2006 to 2008 in Issyk-Kul oblast.  The book consists of two parts. The first part of the book, grounded in local knowledge, contains information about sacred sites: the earth, water, animals, rituals and healing practices which occur there.  One of the first tasks that Aigine set …

The textbook is based on rich field materials gathered between 2005 and 2008 in Talas and Issyq-Kol Aigine developed a textbook called “Muras Taanuu”. It is intended for the 4th – 8th grades of Kyrgyz secondary school. The main approach to creating the textbook has been place-based, particularly using sacred sites as the basis for …

The cultural practice of worshipping at the sacred sites, known as Mazars, is one of the ancient Kyrgyz traditions. Even though the first known date of the worship at these sacred sites is not known precisely, it is several centuries old and has its cultural functions and place in current times as well. In this …

This publication was devoted to a complex of sacred sites located in the Nyldy-Ata gorge, close to the village of Ozgorush in Talas raion.  In this unique place, the territory of which is around 7 kilometres square, there are over 30 springs, stones and trees regarded by the local population as sacred sites.  The publication …