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TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE > Fairs of Knowledge

Fairs of Traditional Knowledge

The Northern Fair of Traditional Knowledge

The Northern Fair of Traditional Knowledge and practices of pastoral livestock and culture of the Kyrgyz nation was organized by the Rural Development Fund and held on June 5, 2009 at Zhashyl-Kol summer pasture in Kok-Oirok ayil okmotu in Kemin rayon, Chui oblast. More than 200 participants attended the event.

The Northern Fair of Traditional Knowledge aimed to present and discuss the findings of the first survey of traditional knowledge, skills and techniques in livestock farming and pasture use under the Revival and Extension of the Traditional Kyrgyz Pastoral Knowledge and Practices Project, as well as present achievements of the project experts, and identify the topics for further research at the second stage of the survey.

The majority of Northern fair participants were livestock farmers, keepers and practitioners of traditional knowledge from the country's northern regions. The event was also attended by guests from the Southern regions (Jalalabat, Batken and Osh oblasts), who came to share experience and discuss traditional knowledge and technicalities of livestock farming, nomadic culture and household activities.

The findings of the research were displayed in four thematic yurts

- Information about project activities, goals and objectives, key beneficiaries and achievements. Information about future Pastoral School for young livestock farmers (Pastoralist to Pastoralist) was also displayed in this yurt.

- Use of pasture resources: farmer's evaluation of pasture condition, traditional pasture use methods, popular pasture maintenance and improvement techniques. Presentations and focus groups on shyrdahks (worsted rugs) were also held in these yurts to identify additional topics for research.

- Livestock farming (care and raising of racers; technicalities of nomadic camel and yak husbandry).

- Traditional household activities and culture of nomadic livestock farming (nomadic clothes, lost recipes, ancestry ceremonies, roaming practices).

The Northern fair was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, KyrgyzPatent, Kyrgyz-Swiss Agrarian Project, Rural Advisory Service (RAS), ARIS and local NGOs.

The Northern fair was attended by representatives of the main project donor of the Christensen Fund from the USA and Kyrgyzstan. A group of the Christensen Fund grant beneficiaries from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also attended the event with a view to familiarize themselves with the project outputs. Guests from Tajikistan were interested in methods of survey and collection of traditional knowledge, project-specific technicalities, opportunities of sharing experience. Kok-Oirok Jamaat provided considerable assistance in preparation and holding of the event.

RDF partners assisting during the Fair

- Tatyana Vorotnikova Studio made a show of traditional garments of Kyrgyz nomads;

- Mars Kendirbajev with his taigans (Kyrgyz greyhounds) represented the Khan-Taigan Social Fund;

- The Toguz Korgool Association headed by Muratbek Kiyizbayev taught children and adults rules of this traditional Kyrgyz game;

- The Bishkek Academy of Physical Training presented traditional games of Kooresh and Ordo;

- The Ak Shoola workshop of national souvenirs from a local village of Tegirmenty and a dowry workshop of the Onor Bulagy NGO from the neighboring village of Shabdan organized a fair of their products;

- The Artesian Company presented its national beverages.

Participants of the Fair 

Winners of the nation-wide contest held across vocational and agricultural schools and universities with a view to identify experienced pastoralists were invited to attend the Fair. Students were awarded diplomas and prizes; they took active part in presentations and discussions with representatives of the youth wing of the local Kok-Oirok Jamaat.

Ak saqals and baibiche (wise old men and women) were the key participants of the event. They came from different corners of the country in order to share their knowledge and discuss in focus groups on shyrdahks the issues of losing popular knowledge and skills of ancestors, lack of continuity mechanisms.

Young farmers and stock-breeders came to explore opportunities of learning secrets and technicalities of traditional knowledge and methods. These included experienced practitioners of traditional livestock treatment and pasture improvement techniques.

Traditional pastoral dishes were cooked during the Fair. Fair participants and students made a demonstration of pastoral games and on-stage performance about traditional way of life of livestock farmers. Kok-Oirok community residents organized a fair of national cuisine and beverages, medicinal herbs.

Masters of industrial training and teachers from agricultural colleges and vocational schools became interested in traditional knowledge. Special desk was open for enrolling them into the Pastoral School named "Pastoralist-to-Pastoralist" organized under the project in summer 2010.

Rural Development Fund

102-104, Toktogul Street, Office 1

Bishkek, 720040, Kyrgyz Republic 

Phone: +996 (312) 976 100

Fax: +996 (312) 976 103

E-mail: general@rdf.in.kg

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Rural Development Fund