Working Meetings: This week, the Aigine CRC team held a series of online meetings with partners from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as a representative from Karakalpakstan. The meetings brought together Zhanerke Shaigozova, Balgyn Salykova, Lutfiya Mirzaeva, Firuza Salimova, and Nurjamal Nauryzbaeva. The discussions focused on the upcoming “Traditional Communities and Artificial Intelligence” project. Participants discussed its main goals, key areas of work, and expected outcomes, as well as the content and organizational details of the upcoming seminar. The partners expressed strong interest in the initiative and their readiness to participate in the project activities. The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, align expectations, and identify the next steps for further collaboration.

Working Meetings: This week, the Aigine CRC team held online meetings with the winners and prize-winning teams of the Hack the Heritage — “Murasty Zhangyrt” hackathon: the first-place NoNeeds team and the second-place Shumkar team. Andrey Ermakov, a representative of Ala-Too International University, also joined the meeting with NoNeeds. The teams presented the results of their work, shared updates on the current stages of their projects, and discussed opportunities for further development. The NoNeeds project, Heritage-Tech Ecosystem, brings together three areas: sacred sites, the traditional calendar, and petroglyphs. The team is exploring creative and engaging ways to introduce children to the traditional knowledge of the Kyrgyz people. The Shumkar team is developing an interactive game for children aged 5–10 about petroglyphs and sacred sites. Its main character is a falcon named Shumkar, who guides children through stories and interactive tasks. Through the game, young players will learn about cultural heritage and the importance of understanding and protecting it. The meetings also covered project content, technical solutions, upcoming stages of work, and opportunities to expand the initiatives. The teams are continuing to transform the ideas presented during the hackathon into practical digital educational products.

From the Researchers’ Diary: The Women’s Ayyrmach Saddle: The Aigine CRC team is continuing its research on traditional women’s horse tack used in Kyrgyz bride send-off ceremonies in the northern regions of the country. During an interview with Sonunkan apa, a resident of Sokuluk District, the researchers documented valuable information about the traditional women’s ayyrmach saddle. The ayyrmach saddle was previously believed to have been used mainly by children. However, according to Sonunkan apa, it was also used by women travelling with young children. Its seat was deeper and narrower than a men’s saddle, while its front and rear pommels had a crossed shape. A long wooden bar was securely attached to them with leather straps. This design helped protect both mother and child during long journeys. Even if the mother or child fell asleep while riding, the wooden support prevented the baby from leaning over and falling. The spacious front part of the saddle also made it possible to carry a child or a traditional cradle, known as a beshik, in front of the rider. The project is implemented with the support of the Pawanka Fund.