Project monitoring at Aigine continues: this week, the Aigine CRC team visited the workshop of craftswoman Gulmira Kutueva and met with project participants and artisans to discuss the interim results of their work to recreate a traditional women’s saddle. They presented elements of the women’s saddle and related equipment used in the Kyrgyz bride send-off ceremony, as well as traditional versions of the bride’s attire. Particular attention was paid to differences between southern and northern traditions, including the construction, materials, decoration, and production techniques. The collected information will support a more accurate recreation of the objects themselves and a deeper understanding of their significance within the bride send-off tradition.

From the researchers’ diary: research on traditional Kyrgyz women’s horse tack—saddles and related equipment used in the bride send-off ceremony—is continuing in the Issyk-Kul region. At the Kurmanjan Datka Centre of Nomadic Civilization, the Aigine team carefully examined the ethnographic objects preserved in its collection. One of the most significant findings was a composite ak kanky saddle, a rare example of traditional Kyrgyz saddle-making. The researchers documented the distinctive features of its construction, decorative design, and production technique. As saddles of this type are rarely used today and are preserved mainly in museum collections, the studied materials will provide an important foundation for the further reconstruction of traditional women’s horse tack.

Work on the immersive exhibition narrative continues: materials about the Cholpon-Ata Petroglyph Museum—an open-air heritage site where ancient images remain within Issyk-Kul’s natural landscape—are being incorporated into the narrative. Through the journey of the main character, Aman-kyz, the story reveals that petroglyphs should not be viewed separately from their surroundings, but together with the land, mountains, paths, and memory of the place. Archaeological information, local knowledge, traditional interpretations, and artistic storytelling are gradually being brought together into a single narrative. The project is implemented with the support of ALIPH and the European Union.