Handmade in Kyrgyzstan: Introducing Altyn Kol
Altyn Kol is a women's handicraft cooperative in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan. Its mission is to preserve the traditional artisan work of the people of Kyrgyzstan and to provide women with opportunities to earn extra income for their families. The women of Altyn Kol specialize in creating the finest handmade felt products, including traditional shyrdaks and ala-kijiz.
Learn more:
Directed and edited by Daisy Morin. Produced by Altyn Kol.
Kyrgyzstan: Altyn Kol
Shydraks (Traditional Kyrgyz Felt Rug) maker supporting Social Enterprise
# 15 Zijderoute - Kyrgyzstan - Cattle Market in Kochkor
Kochkor is a town in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul and the Tian Shan region.
Kochkor has recently built a new taxi stand / bus station on the main road. There you can negotiate shared taxi rides to Bishkek, Naryn City, Balykchi, Cholpon Ata, Kara Kol, and sometimes At Bashi or Jumgal.
If you are looking for a cheap ride, try one of the minivan taxis (also known as mashrutkas) or (if you have lots of time on your hands) one of the buses that runs from Bishkek to At Bashi.
Get around[edit]
Kochkor is a large village, but can be easily explored on foot. However,
if you want to visit a nearby village, finding a taxi might be difficult. The best thing to do is walk in the direction you want to go and wave at a passing car if you want them to stop. If they do give you a ride, it is polite to offer them money for petrol.
There are mashrutkas that run east / west on the main road from one end of the town to the other. But they keep irregular schedules.
See[edit][add listing]
Every Saturday, Kochkor holds it Animal Bazaar. There you can view Kyrgyz livestock and observe local farmers buying and selling their animals. The bazaar is also a good place to stock up on any essentials that you might be running low on.
Kochkor's park is a haven of greenery just south of the taxi stand. Within the park are various Soviet era structures in various stages of use. There you will find the Kochkor museum (which may or may not be open), the Wedding Palace, the cinema (now closed), the Cultural Hall (still open and working, inside you will find a billiard hall, library, performance hall, and antique Soviet video games), the Sports Hall, and the famous Men Disco.
Do[edit][add listing]
Although Kochkor is best described as a gateway community, there is still much to do during your visit.
The best is just to explore. The people are very friendly and willing to strike up a conversation with visitors. If you are looking for more standard tourism fare, visit the CBT office and arrange for one of the local tours.
Buy[edit][add listing]
If purchasing sheep isn't what you came for, Kochkor still can offer the shopping traveler a variety of experiences. In the center, there are two bazaars, one for food and the other for clothes. If you are planning on going up into the mountains and haven't got a pullover, now is the time to get one. Also, stop in the UNIMAG (Universal Magazine) and check out the bargains there.
But what Kochkor is truely known for is the women's handicraft cooperative, Altyn Kol (Kyrgyz for 'golden hand'). Founded in the mid-90's as a way to provide an alternate source of income for struggling rural families, Altyn Kol has become world known for its handmade felt carpets (shyrdaks).
If you are visiting Kyrgyzstan during late May or late November, inquire about their bi-annual exhibition at the Kyrgyz Cultural Museum in Bishkek.
Geres - Master Shyrdak Artist in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan
Geres is one of the original Master Shyrdak makers in Kochkor, and very approachable which means she has many stories to tell about the organization. For instance, she related that on Altyn Kol's first exhibition in Switzerland some of the Swiss organizers were very surprised when the exhibition was over to find all of the masters sitting in a group making shyrdaks. Their response was that they do it because it's what they enjoy. She noted in particular that it helps her relax.
Kafe Kyrgyzstan - Bring the Internet to Kochkor Village
The Altyn Kol Women's Handicrafts Cooperative would like to put an internet cafe and cultural heritage museum in their office in Kochkor Village, Kyrgyzstan. They need your support.
Handmade in Kyrgyzstan: The Shyrdak
Shyrdaks, the traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets, are a centerpiece of Kyrgyz culture. They are used in homes and in yurts as both a way to keep warm and a means of artistic expression. Traditionally, they are handmade by women in the community, from the shearing of the sheep until the final stitches are sewn into the felt.
Altyn Kol is a women's handicraft cooperative in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan that specializes in traditional shyrdaks. Its mission is to preserve the traditional artisan work of the people of Kyrgyzstan and to provide women with opportunities to earn extra income for their families.
Learn more:
Directed and edited by Daisy Morin. Produced by Altyn Kol.
Одиночный поход с рыбалкой Кочкор - Кол-Укок - Иссык-Куль. Ч/з Тескей-Ала-Тоо. Кыргызстан 2018.
Много раз слышал от друзей, знакомых про озеро Кол-Укок. Решил глянуть на него, порыбачить на речке, затем, перейдя через хребет Тескей-Ала-Тоо, посмотреть и там окружающие виды; ну и заодно порыбачить на речке из бассейна Иссык-Куля. На этих речках разные виды форели. Что из этого вышло? Не знаю, посмотрите…
По всем вопросам пишите на почту: vyshegoria@gmail.com
Кыргызстан сыртка кеткен алтын муунун күтөт (3)
Азаттык+ бул жолу чет мамлекеттерде жүргөн журтташтарыбызды студияга топтоду.
Чет жерде иштеп ийгиликке жетишкен мекендештер Кыргызстанга кандай жардамын бере алат? Мекендештер өлкөгө качан келет? Деги кайра келеби?
Handmade in Kyrgyzstan: Burul Jakypova
Burul Jakypova is a member of Altyn Kol, a women's handicrafts cooperative in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan. She works there as an accountant and as a master craftswoman, and has worked hard to establish herself as a leader in both areas.
Altyn Kol is a women's handicraft cooperative in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan that specializes in traditional shyrdaks. Its mission is to preserve the traditional artisan work of the people of Kyrgyzstan and to provide women with opportunities to earn extra income for their families.
Learn more:
Directed and edited by Daisy Morin. Produced by Altyn Kol.
Suusamyr Valley, Chuy Region, Kirgizstan
Kyrgyzstan Travel - Bishkek, Kochkor and Song Kol Lake. Horseback Ride & Yurt Camping
Touring through the main sites in Kyrgyzstan. Took a two day ride to Song Kol Lake via Horseback and slept in a Yurt camp. #lakesongkol #bishkek #kyrgyzstan #alatoo #kochkor #eurasia #centralasia #nomads #hyattregencybishkek
Altyn-Arashan / Kyrgyzstan 【秘湯アルティンアラシャン】
自転車で世界一周中
Traveling around the world by bicycle.
キルギスの秘湯「アルティンアラシャン」
# 14 Zijderoute - Kyrgyzstan (Chuy Valley)- Burana Tower - Mountains - Guesthouse (Kochkor)
-- Autoreis Zijderoute In de voetsporen van Marco Polo --
Content:
Visiting Burana Tower (Minaret) in Chuy Valley.
Than…going into the beautiful mountains, visit there a man with his horses, buying dry fish…and finaly arrive in Kochkor in a local guesthouse to have some food and sleep.
Burana Tower
The Burana Tower is a large minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan.
It is located about 80 km east of the country's capital Bishkek, near the town of Tokmok.
The tower, along with grave markers, some earthworks and the remnants of a castle and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun, which was established by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century.
An external staircase and steep, winding stairway inside the tower enables visitors to climb to the top.
The tower was originally 45 m (148 ft) high. However, over the centuries a number of earthquakes caused significant damage to the structure.
The last major earthquake in the 15th century destroyed the top half of the tower, reducing it to its current height of 25m (82 ft).
In the early 1900s, Russian immigrants to the area used some of the bricks from the tower for new building projects.
A renovation project was carried out in the 1970s to restore its foundation and repair the west-facing side of the tower, which was in danger of collapse.
The winding stairway inside the Burana Tower
The entire site, including the mausoleums, castle foundations and grave markers, now functions as museum and there is a small building on the site containing historical information as well as artifacts found at the site and in the surrounding region.
Legend
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2012)
A legend connected with the tower says that a witch warned a local king that his newly-born daughter would die once she reached the age of eighteen.
To protect her, he built a tall tower where he sequestered his daughter. No one entered the tower, except the daughter's servant who brought her food. The daughter grew up alone and became a beautiful young lady. One day, however, a poisonous spider was hiding in the food brought by the servant. The spider bit the girl, and she died in the tower, at the age of eighteen.
Kochkor
Kochkor is a town in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul and the Tian Shan region.
Kochkor has recently built a new taxi stand / bus station on the main road.
There you can negotiate shared taxi rides to Bishkek, Naryn City, Balykchi, Cholpon Ata, Kara Kol, and sometimes At Bashi or Jumgal.
If you are looking for a cheap ride, try one of the minivan taxis (also known as mashrutkas) or (if you have lots of time on your hands) one of the buses that runs from Bishkek to At Bashi.
-Get around.
Kochkor is a large village, but can be easily explored on foot.
if you want to visit a nearby village, finding a taxi might be difficult. The best thing to do is walk in the direction you want to go and wave at a passing car if you want them to stop.
If they do give you a ride, it is polite to offer them money for petrol.
There are mashrutkas that run east / west on the main road from one end of the town to the other. But they keep irregular schedules.
Every Saturday, Kochkor holds it Animal Bazaar. There you can view Kyrgyz livestock and observe local farmers buying and selling their animals. The bazaar is also a good place to stock up on any essentials that you might be running low on.
Kochkor's park is a haven of greenery just south of the taxi stand. Within the park are various Soviet era structures in various stages of use. There you will find the Kochkor museum (which may or may not be open), the Wedding Palace, the cinema (now closed), the Cultural Hall (still open and working, inside you will find a billiard hall, library, performance hall, and antique Soviet video games), the Sports Hall, and the famous Men Disco.
Although Kochkor is best described as a gateway community, there is still much to do during your visit.
The best is just to explore. The people are very friendly and willing to strike up a conversation with visitors. If you are looking for more standard tourism fare, visit the CBT office and arrange for one of the local tours.
If purchasing sheep isn't what you came for, Kochkor still can offer the shopping traveler a variety of experiences.
In the center, there are two bazaars, one for food and the other for
But what Kochkor is truely known for is the women's handicraft cooperative, Altyn Kol (Kyrgyz for 'golden hand').
Founded in the mid-90's as a way to provide an alternate source of income for struggling rural families,
Altyn Kol has become world known for its handmade felt carpets (shyrdaks).
Global Drive Project : Social Enterprise in Kyrgyzstan - Altyn Kol 키르키즈스탄의 사회적기업
Altyn Kol(AK)은 240명의 여성으로 이루어진 협동조합이다. 여성들은 양모로 만든 전통 제품들을 만들고 판매한다. 특히 양모로 만든 카펫트를 쉬르닥(Shyrdak)이라고 부르는데 AK를 통한 위탁판매를 한다. AK는 Kochkor 지역에 직접 운영하는 매장, 무역박람회, 온라인을 통해 물건을 판매한다.
Handicraft Kyrgyzstan Shyrdak
Kirgistan część 4 - Osz, Kochkor, Jezioro Song-Kol i jurta
#Kirgistan dalej zachwyca mnie swoim pięknem. Po dwóch dniach w #Osz docieram do magicznej krainy położonej na wysokości 3016 m.n.p.m. #JezioroSongKul to miejsce gdzie cudowna energia wypełniła całą moją Istotę i poczułem połączenie z naturą. Poczułem się szczęśliwy i wolny. Również noc w #jurcie dała mnóstwo fraidy i pozwoliła poznać życie koczowników
Mapa na której zaznaczyłem wszystkie miejsca, które widziałeś/aś w tym odcinku wraz z przebiegiem trasy znajdziesz pod tym linkiem
Zapraszam na kolejną część relacji z podróży do Azji Środkowej. Wkrótce kolejny odcinek.
00:33 - Osz
12:30 - Droga do jeziora
16:08 - Kochkor
20:17 - droga do jeziora
26:45 - jezioro Song-Kul
31:40 - Jurta
39:40 - Droga do Kyrzat
Zapraszam na mojego Facebooka -
i Instagrama -
Subskrybuj kanał :-)
Stabilizing Altyn-Dara Canal's Earthen Walls
The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID), Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) supported the Kyrgyzstan Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP KG), an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation, in cooperation with local authorities to complete the construction of a protective dam on the Altyn-Dara irrigation canal in Chon-Alai district of Osh oblast. The total budget of this project made more than 8,200,000 KGS.
The Altyn-Dara irrigation canal has a total length of 44 km. It was built in 1968 to provide irrigation water to five villages of the district. Over time, soil erosion, rising of water levels caused by snow melt, and large debris flows destroyed the canal's walls. The dilapidated condition of the canal limited access to irrigation water and led to conflict among affected villages. In total, more than 7,600 residents will benefit from increased access to irrigation water and 1,770 hectares of land will be improved.
Making+a+Shyrdak+in+Kyrgyzstan SD
This film shows how Sadagul and friends from the Altyn Kol cooperative in Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan, make traditional carpets and cushion covers made from a felting technique known as 'Shyrdak'.
The cushion cover is available to buy at madeandtold.com, and is part of a range of products from Central Asia all of which are accompanied with films showing how they were made.