Kyrgyzstan is a mountain lover’s first choice in Central Asia, only equalled by its neighbour Tajikistan. Here big mountain ranges like Pamir and Tian Shan cross swords at 7000 meters, while the shepherds compete with snow leopards and the yeti for a place to live on the steep mountain slopes. Kyrgyzstan’s shepherds are so-called semi-nomads. During the winter they live in small village houses – and in the summer they move to the high lands with their sheep, goats, yaks and camels, where they stay in yurts or small tents. Like the Mongolian people, the Kyrgyz love fermented mare’s milk (Kymus), which they believe is healthy for them. The photos here are from three different trips in the 1990s.
|
 A proud shepherd near Lake
Song Kol. |
 Fermented mare milk is regarded as a delicacy. |
 After it has been fermented, the shepherds drink the mare milk from big cups. |
 Inside a yurt – dinner with vodka and cigarettes. |
| |
 The Kirghiz are said
to be born on a horse. |
 The men carry a traditional Kirghiz shepherd’s hat. |
 Shepherds in Tian
Shan Mountains. |
 Fermented mare milk
contains alcohol. |
| |
 Horses near Lake Song Kol. |
 A shepherd near Lake Song Kol. |
 The mountains west of Lake Song Kol are rough and rugged. |
 The family is camping high up in the mountains during the summer. |
| |
 An old shepherd on his way out
to look after the sheep. |
 A storm is brewing. |
 The mares are milked several times a day. |
 Naryn. |
| |
 Production of fermented mare milk – it takes about
24 hours before it’s ready. |
 Canyon landscape in
Pamir Alai. |
 The camel is a
common domestic
animal in Pamir Alai. |
 Heading for the
Kindik pass (4482 m)
in Pamir Alai. |
| |
 Discussion about the route (Pamir Alai). |
 Heading for the Kichik-Alai pass (4158 m) in Pamir Alai. |
 The shepherd’s dog catches its own food. |
 Baby in a cradle. |
| |
 A herder’s family is usually quite big. |
 The milk is used for production
of cheese, etc. |
 A traditional yurt where the shepherds stay in the summer. |
 A big camel can carry up to
600 kg. |
| |
 Camping at the foot of the Kindik pass (4482 m) in Pamir Alai. |
 The shepherd shows how to play
a local instrument. |
 Autumn at the foot of Tien Shan Mountains. |
 Mountain landscapes like this can be found less than 20 km from the capital Bishkek. |
| |
 The last steep climb before the top of Kindik pass (4482 m) in Pamir Alai. |
