How did the Kyrgyz name days and months? The team of Aigine CRC held a discussion to clarify the Kyrgyz traditional system of time reckoning. Over the years, users of our calendars have raised questions and well-grounded doubts about the accuracy of certain month names and the order in which they are counted. Two versions were compared: the widely used one today (the year begins in January— “Uchtun ayı”) and the version recorded by Ishenaly Arabayev (1911) and Kasym Tynystanov (1926), and discussed in Törön Zhumaev’s research (the year begins in February — “Jalgan Kuran”). The specialists’ meeting on February 17 was attended by Temirbek Toktogaziev, Ormon Momunbekov, Zhenishbek Kyzalakov, Döölöt Sydykov, Shaakan Toktogul, and Chynara Seydakhmatova. As a result, the group agreed to follow the Arabayev–Tynystanov–Zhumaev sequence of month names, which is based on the “togool” cycle—the conjunction of the Moon with the Pleiades constellation (Ürkör), aligning with the traditional Kyrgyz worldview that orients daily life by the movement of celestial bodies. The discussion also highlighted older month names found in Tang-dynasty Chinese sources and preserved in the oral memory of elders and knowledge holders. In addition, questions about Kyrgyz names for weekdays, planets, and constellations were raised—this topic requires broader and more systematic research and further meetings. Aigine CRC sincerely thanks all participants for their preparation, respect for differing viewpoints, and constructive dialogue.

From the researcher’s diary: Research on the study and reconstruction of traditional Kyrgyz women’s horse tack (women’s saddles and related elements) used in bridal farewell rituals continues in Jekendi village, Chong-Alai district. We met a local resident who has carefully preserved silver horse tack inherited from his ancestors. He shared that both his father and grandfather were renowned jeweler-craftsmen who made horse equipment, and he continues this tradition today. He noted that artisans producing silver-plated tack are now extremely rare; larger stirrups were made for men, while smaller ones were intended for women. The team also documented that horse equipment was prepared not only for the bride but for the groom as well: in the southern regions, the bride’s relatives traditionally presented horse tack to the groom. Ongoing research aims to clarify how this custom was practiced in northern regions. The project is implemented with support from the PAWANKA Fund.

Film preparing: This week, the editing and final preparation of the “topu” video for Kyrgyzstan’s nomination file has been completed. Earlier, the Aigine CRC team carried out filming with the active participation of artisans, knowledge bearers, and the Kiyiz-Duynyo team. The video highlights the cultural significance and social role of topu, along with the knowledge and skills involved in making it, showing how the tradition of wearing topu has evolved from earlier forms to the present day while remaining meaningful and naturally fitting into contemporary life and design. The film will become part of a multinational nomination prepared by five Central Asian countries on the craft of making and the traditions of wearing topu/tubeteika, to be submitted for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.