Kyrgyz ‘Happy Grandmas’ Preserve Ancient Shyrdak Rug Tradition
In the remote mountainous region of Batken, Kyrgyzstan, Tashkan Khakimova, 77, practices a traditional rug-making technique, weaving wool into a shyrdak, a traditional Kyrgyz rug. Khakimova is among the few remaining individuals in the Central Asian country’s mountainous areas who possess the knowledge of crafting these rugs, and she is determined to ensure this ancient weaving technique art does not fade away.
Khakimova is part of a group of elderly women who refer to themselves as the “Happy Grandmas.” They gather in Kadamjay, a small town nestled between the Alay mountains, not only to preserve their endangered craft but also to supplement their modest pensions. UNESCO has warned that the unique skill of making these rugs is “in need of urgent safeguarding” due to the abundance of synthetic carpets and a lack of interest from the younger generation.
The “Happy Grandmas” have taken on a mission: to pass down their knowledge to the youth of Kadamjay. Approximately 20 women in the group meet several times a week in the local Soviet-era house of culture, where they encourage schoolchildren to learn the ancient weaving technique.
Using wool from their own animals, the women create these rugs with minimal production costs. The wool comes from cattle, sheep, and goats, ensuring nothing goes to waste. The shyrdaks are decorated with colorful traditional patterns that reflect the nomadic culture of the Kyrgyz people, making them more resilient through the process of cutting and quilting.
These pensioners not only aim to preserve their tradition but also hope to boost their pensions by selling the homemade rugs. In the poorest region of Kyrgyzstan, the women see this as an opportunity to generate additional income. The abandoned metals factory that once employed many in the region has led to unemployment and an exodus of the working population. Nevertheless, the “Happy Grandmas” are experiencing a renewed interest in traditional Kyrgyz carpets, as easing tensions with neighboring Uzbekistan may bring tourists to the region and strengthen the local economy, with some orders even coming from abroad.
The women’s determination and the resurgence of interest in their craft offer a glimmer of hope in a challenging economic environment. They dream of not only preserving their cultural heritage but also sharing it with the world, as they proudly state, “And soon, we will send a rug to Japan.”
Re-reported from the article originally published in The TOI
