Kyrgyzstan · Weaving / Grass Craft / Architectural Craft
Чий (Chiy)
Chiy (Чий — Stipa capillata or Phragmites australis) is the reed screen tradition of Kyrgyz nomadic culture — producing the large woven reed mats that form the outer wind-break layer of the yurt, placed between the yurt's wooden lattice (kerege) and its felt cover. Chiy screens are woven by wrapping colored wool thread around individual reed stems as the stems are woven into a mat — the wool wrapping produces geometric patterns visible on the external surface of the yurt. The defining technical knowledge is the wrapping tension: 'the wool must grip the reed so that neither turns in the wind — the thread grips the reed and the reed holds the wind.'
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Kyrgyzstan national ICH list
Kerme (Кермé) refers to the carved wooden elements of the Kyrgyz yurt interior — primarily the carved storage chest (sandyk), the decorative lattice of the door frame (bosogo), and the carved poles of the upper smoke ring (tunduk).
Yak wool spinning (яктын жүнү — yak fiber) is the high-altitude fiber preparation tradition of Kyrgyz communities in the Tian Shan and Pamir ranges above 3,500m — where the domestic yak (Bos grunniens) provides the primary winter fiber.
Kömöldürük (Кемелдирик) is the Kyrgyz embossed leather chest strap worn by ceremonial horses — the most elaborately decorated element of Kyrgyz equestrian equipment.
The komuz (Комуз) is the primary musical instrument of Kyrgyz nomadic culture — a three-string fretless lute carved from a single piece of apricot or juniper wood with a thin spruce soundboard.
Kyrgyz silver jewelry (Белек — gift; Күмүш — silver) is the nomadic metalwork tradition producing the elaborate silver ornaments worn by Kyrgyz women — chest ornaments (tumar), headpieces (chach-uchu), and belt components.
Tush kyiz (Туш кийиз — 'wedding hanging') is the embroidered textile panel hung on the honor wall of the Kyrgyz yurt behind the bridal couple — the most elaborate embroidery tradition in Kyrgyz culture.
Phuti karpas (ফুটি কার্পাস) is the specific cotton variety that produced Dhaka's legendary muslin — a cotton so fine that a full sari (5.5m) could be folded and passed through a signet ring, or stored in a matchbox.
The Tekke carpet (Текке халы) is the most internationally recognized Turkmen tribal carpet tradition — produced by the Tekke tribe of the Ahal and Mary regions and identified by its specific octagonal gul (medallion) arranged in diagonal…
The Yomut carpet (Йомут халы) is the second major Turkmen tribal carpet tradition — produced by the Yomut tribe of the Caspian coast and Balkan Province, distinguished from Tekke by its specific kepse gul (diamond-shaped medallion)…
A backstrap-loom brocade technique distinguished by weavers' use of multiple heddles made from simple sticks — each lifting a different combination of warp threads in a specific raising order — to build dense horizontal bands of tiny…
The Sa'dan Toraja people of the Tana Toraja highlands produce a distinct handwoven textile tradition on body-tension loin-looms — using warp ikat patterning in a palette of deep red (morinda), black (indigo overdye), and cream on cotton…
Donggala silk is the traditional handwoven silk cloth of Donggala district on the Gulf of Tomini, Central Sulawesi — producing supplementary weft patterned silk in a palette and motif vocabulary reflecting the area's blend of Bugis, Kaili,…