{"id":10655,"date":"2011-06-01T10:19:44","date_gmt":"2011-06-01T10:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3939"},"modified":"2020-02-28T22:03:11","modified_gmt":"2020-02-28T16:03:11","slug":"guardians-and-shaiyks","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/?page_id=10655&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Guardians and shai\u2019yks"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"A family of Jumanazarov, Kanykei\u2019 Bulak Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3963&amp;lang=en\">A family of Jumanazarov, Kanykei\u2019 Bulak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Almash Jumagul kyzy, Kochkor Ata Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3964&amp;lang=en\">Almash Jumagul kyzy,\u00a0Kochkor Ata Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Altyn Ibraimova, Zulpukor Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3965&amp;lang=en\">Altyn Ibraimova, Zulpukor Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Anark\u00fcl Kulusheva, Kur Tash and D\u00f6l\u00f6n Ata Mazars\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3966&amp;lang=en\">Anark\u00fcl Kulusheva, Kur Tash and D\u00f6l\u00f6n Ata Mazars<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Bai\u2019myrza Saparbaev, Mai\u2019mak Ata Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3983&amp;lang=en\">Bai\u2019myrza Saparbaev, Mai\u2019mak Ata Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Batyraly Turumtaev, Kalpa Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3984&amp;lang=en\">Batyraly Turumtaev, Kalpa Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Beknazarov Bai\u2019ysh, Arashan Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3985&amp;lang=en\">Beknazarov Bai\u2019ysh, Arashan Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Burul Asyrankulova, Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=3986&amp;lang=en\">Burul Asyrankulova, Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Chongmurunova Chachykei, Chynar Terek Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4003&amp;lang=en\">Chongmurunova Chachykei, Chynar Terek Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Dariha Jamanbaeva, Kydyr Ata and Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazars\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4004&amp;lang=en\">Dariha Jamanbaeva, Kydyr Ata and Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazars<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Elmira Bai\u2019yzbekova, Kai\u2019nar Bulak Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4005&amp;lang=en\">Elmira Bai\u2019yzbekova, Kai\u2019nar Bulak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Eshaliev Sagynbek, Booterek Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4006&amp;lang=en\">Eshaliev Sagynbek, Booterek Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"G\u00fcljamal Alymbekova\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4023&amp;lang=en\">G\u00fcljamal Alymbekova,Tamchy Bulak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"G\u00fclnahar Toktogulova, Tamchy Bulak Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4024&amp;lang=en\">G\u00fclnahar Toktogulova, Tamchy Bulak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Jekshenaly Abdyraimov,Oljobai\u2019dy Kergen Tash Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4025&amp;lang=en\">Jekshenaly Abdyraimov,Oljobai\u2019dy Kergen Tash Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Jengish Kudakeev, Nyldy Ata Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4026&amp;lang=en\">Jengish Kudakeev, Nyldy Ata Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Jumadil Mamekov, Chypynyn Mazary\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4043&amp;lang=en\">Jumadil Mamekov, Chypynyn Mazary<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Kashymbek Abdraimov, Chypynyn Mazary\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4044&amp;lang=en\">Kashymbek Abdraimov, Chypynyn Mazary<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Kerimbai\u2019 Ibraimov, Ak \u00dci\u2019 Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4045&amp;lang=en\">Kerimbai\u2019 Ibraimov, Ak \u00dci\u2019 Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Kylychbek Kurmanbaev, Chynar Terek Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4046&amp;lang=en\">Kylychbek Kurmanbaev, Chynar Terek Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Oogan Bai\u2019yzbekov, Kai\u2019nar Bulak Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4063&amp;lang=en\">Oogan Bai\u2019yzbekov, Kai\u2019nar Bulak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Samankul Asyrankulov, Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4064&amp;lang=en\">Samankul Asyrankulov, Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Samarbek \u00dct\u00fcrov, Manas Mausoleum\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4065&amp;lang=en\">Samarbek \u00dct\u00fcrov, Manas Mausoleum<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"Taryhchy M\u00fcz\u00fcrbekov, Nogoi\u2019 Baatyr Mazar\" href=\"http:\/\/traditionalknowledge.org\/?page_id=4066&amp;lang=en\">Taryhchy M\u00fcz\u00fcrbekov, Nogoi\u2019 Baatyr Mazar<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>This text was published in the book \u2018Mazar Worship in Kyrgyzstan: Rituals and Practitioner in Talas\u2019 by Aigine, Bishkek, 2007.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">These pages are devoted to <em>shai\u2019yks <\/em><em>(q.v.)<\/em> and guardians of <em>mazars (q.v.)<\/em> in Talas province.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When Aigine started its activities in Talas in 2004, the main approach was to involve local community members in the research and protection of the mazars in that region.\u00a0It was soon learned that there are people who not only worship at the mazars but at the same time look after, protect and maintain sacred sites.\u00a0Within a year, Aigine identified 23 such people and has involved them in the research activities. At the same time, participatory observation was conducted on their life experience. The main difference of Ysyk-Kol from Talas is the low amount of guardians.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Based on this participatory observation and collaborative activity, Aigine has categorized people who serve for mazars into two following types: <em>shai\u2019yks <\/em>and guardians.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Shai\u2019yks<\/em> are people who carry out such duties such as looking after a mazar, guiding pilgrims <em>(zyyaratchy)<\/em> and leading the ritual performances. As a rule, <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> know the history, the special features of a mazar, and other related information and narrate them to the visitors and pilgrims. The distinctive aspect of <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> is an ability to practice traditional healing at the mazars that s\/he looks after.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The guardians are the people who look after the mazars in terms of protecting and cleaning them. These people may not know the history or specific stories of the mazars and they usually do not possess an ability to heal.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians have come to accomplish such a spiritual mission in different times and ways.\u00a0Readers will find their life stories in the following chapter. We want to emphasize is that at certain times all of the <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> were seriously ill, suffering or \u201clost\u201d and this illness, suffering or self-loss forced them to start visiting and worshiping mazars. Over time, they were able to define their duties at the mazars and to heal not only themselves but also to heal others.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When we started working in Talas most of these people almost did not possess any information about each other. Aigine made a decision to unify the people who conduct the same activities in one area. In March of 2006 Aigine took the initiative to bring these people together.\u00a0It was then that a Union of <em>Shai\u2019yks<\/em> and Guardians in Talas province was founded. Certainly, this particular union has definite aims that concern the mazars and Kyrgyz heritage in general. Although, in Aigine\u2019s opinion, one of the main responsibilities of this union was already accomplished: <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians had unified and gained a feeling of being a unified social group with a strong sense of identity as well as getting some public attention.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are nine women among the 23 guardians and <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em>. It should be noted that none of the existing social authorities brought <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians to care for the mazars. Rather they organized based on their own inner needs. It is a sign that confirms that in Kyrgyz society, women and men can take the initiative on the same level. Moreover, women as well as men can manage similar work on the same level.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians are similar to other human beings. Some of them would be known among people as aimless people who were addicted to alcoholic drinks. Aigine does not deny or hide this fact. Perhaps these are exactly the reasons that such people start worshipping at mazars and became <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> or guardians of mazars.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">American scientist Christina Groff after conducting research with people who were addicted to alcohol and drugs came to the following opinion: \u201cif people who are very sensitive and who are in the process of special spiritual search, because of certain external reasons were not able to realize those needs and feelings, they usually become addicted to alcohol and drugs.\u201d As most of us are aware, during Soviet time it was not possible to become a <em>shai\u2019yk<\/em> of a mazar or to practice healing activities at mazars. In general it was not possible to \u201cwalk on the path\u201d which is called <em>kyrgyzchylyk<\/em> <em>(q.v.)<\/em>. We also have heard such opinions as: is it possible to believe to people who used to drink alcohol and just today became a <em>shai\u2019yk<\/em>? Aigine would answer this question in the following way:\u00a0This question is up to the individual (reader).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Our goal is to bring the massage from the people who were able to get over hard drinking and find out their place in the world and in the society.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mainly the students of the Talas State University conducted interviews with and collected information from <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians. The teachers on behalf of Aigine conducted a series of workshops to train the student in field research methods and techniques.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is possible to present the information that was received and found out in various ways. We chose to present the interviews conducted by the students with <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians in their entirety with few changes. Thus, a reader will see the product of primary professional work and experience of the Talas students.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is also important for Aigine to see students teaming up with <em>shai\u2019yks<\/em> and guardians as the way of cooperation between the two generations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is anticipated that communication and exchange of views between the younger generation which just started its search to everyday and spiritual needs with older people about things that are important in our culture would help the young and as well as elder generation to liberalize and widen their world views.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A family of Jumanazarov, Kanykei\u2019 Bulak Mazar Almash Jumagul kyzy,\u00a0Kochkor Ata Mazar Altyn Ibraimova, Zulpukor Mazar Anark\u00fcl Kulusheva, Kur Tash and D\u00f6l\u00f6n Ata Mazars Bai\u2019myrza Saparbaev, Mai\u2019mak Ata Mazar Batyraly Turumtaev, Kalpa Mazar Beknazarov Bai\u2019ysh, Arashan Mazar Burul Asyrankulova, Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazar Chongmurunova Chachykei, Chynar Terek Mazar Dariha Jamanbaeva, Kydyr Ata and Ak Tai\u2019lak Mazars &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10655"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10655"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11866,"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10655\/revisions\/11866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/aigine.kg\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}