The Culture of Kyrgyzstan: All You Need to Know

Not for nothing is Kyrgyzstan called the Switzerland of Central Asia. The landlocked country fascinates especially hiking fans with its dreamlike, wide mountain landscapes and the unmistakable connection of the traditions of the locals with nature! In addition, the former Soviet state cherishes a unique culture, which at the same time reflects the history of the country. Interested? Then read on to explore the culture of Kyrgyz people to be ready for your next trip to Kyrgyzstan!

Religion in Kyrgyzstan

Due to the multi-faceted past, the Asian country has changed to different religions from time to time over time. At the moment, more than 80% of the locals are Islamic, with many shamanic customs mixed in with Islamic traditions. This mix makes the Islamic expression different from Egypt or Jordan, for example, and makes the culture all the more unique! The rest of the population is mostly Christian, especially Russian Orthodox.

Kyrgyz traditions

Did you know that the Kyrgyz have nomadic roots? For 3000 years, the nomadic survivalists have wandered and settled in the countryside. They slept and lived in so-called yurts, in which some families still live today. In general, Kyrgyzstan is a country that attaches great importance to traditions and has carried these old customs from generation to generation into the modern age.

Cultural festivals

Moreover, the nomads were experts in cattle breeding and riding! Therefore, it is not surprising why much of the country revolves around the horse: be it food, sports, games or even traditional equestrian festivals and horse festivals with parades and competitions that are celebrated several times a year! Birds of prey also have a special place in the history and culture of Kyrgyzstan! Because the nomads had used these wild birds to hunt for the next dinner, they are also honored every year in August with shows, competitions, tales of legends and history.

People in Kyrgyzstan

Traditional, religious, solemn and survivalist - What else are the Kyrgyz? Hospitable! Just like in many other Islamic countries, the Kyrgyz locals are extremely hospitable, warm and helpful, because here it is not said that the customer but the guest is king... or rather God-sent! Because it is said that a mostly unexpected guest has been sent by God, so the guests are welcomed with the highest hospitality.

And this hospitality cannot be expressed better than with delicious food, because in Kyrgyzstan they say that even if you don't have anything on your plate yourself, you should always fill the plates of your guests. So if you don't want to miss anything, don't turn down an invitation from locals! Even if you stay only for a short time, you will be offered at least a piece of bread, which you definitely should not refuse, because bread is considered sacred here! You will notice this as soon as you stroll through the Kyrgyz markets and admire the huge, artistic offer of different bread!

Kyrgyz clothing

Since the Central Asian country is Islamic, you will rarely meet people with skimpy clothes and even less often outside the big cities. But this is not the only reason. As mentioned before, every hiker's heart will soften here and everyone else will probably run out of breath, because hiking here can be a real challenge for some. That's why it's best to wear functional clothes for your excursions.

This should also best correspond to the Islamic standard out of respect for the culture: not shorter than knee-length and always longer than a top! In the city, for example in the capital Bishkek, you can dress more freely if you like. By the way, you should definitely take off your shoes as soon as you enter a house, because the shoes are dirty and therefore it is taken very impolitely by the Kyrgyz.

Language in Kyrgyzstan

Since English is not widely spoken in Kyrgyzstan, it would not be a disadvantage for tourists to have some knowledge of Kyrgyz or Russian. However, the locals are very open and helpful, which is why you can communicate with hands and feet. What is nevertheless very advisable is to master the Cyrillic script of the Kyrgyz language, so that you can at least read the place names. Don't worry, it's very easy and can even be learned within an hour!

From the looks of it, it's worth traveling to the country not only for the majestic mountain landscapes and incredible views, but also to experience the warm, hospitable nature and culture of Kyrgyzstan! Not for nothing, this place is also perfect for solo travelers, including especially solo women! But a trip here is just as fun within a group! So feel free to check out our Kyrgyzstan trip and look forward to an unforgettable journey through unique history, culture and nature! In the meantime, you can also continue to browse through our magazine everything about Kyrgyzstan read through!