A yurt is not comparable to a tent, but rather to caravans or campers used in the western world. With the difference that yurts exist already since the Bronze Age.
We are in the center of worldwide yurt manufacturing, in Kyzyl-Tuu on Yssyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. The region produces yurts and ships them to anywhere in the world. The yurts are of high quality and last up to 100 years.
The weight of a yurt is 450 kg and can be transported by two camels or 4 horses. Several families work for a month to make the latticework, the felt rugs, the ribbons and the shyrdak (felt carpets) for the interior. The price for a complete yurt is about $ 3500.
Yurts consist of a door frame, the Bosogo and several expanding lattice wall-sections, the Kerege. The Kerege give the yurt its circular shape and provide stability because, in the steppe, the yurt has to cope with strong winds.
The roof of the yurt, the Tunduk, is lifted up with round poles, the Uuk. The Tunduk provides sunlight and serves as well as the smoke outlet. Then one attaches the interior and exterior cover made of traditional felt. For the assembly of the yurt, you don’t need a single nail.
We noticed that yurts have a much larger space than it appears from the outside. The round shape allows the optimal use of space. The lattice wall offers the possibility to hang objects or clothes directly on it. So it is often tidier in the yurt than in a cupboard.
The right side of the yurt is for the women, the left side for the men and the place opposite the entrance for respected persons.
We cannot imagine a better summer house in our regions either.
Our hosts demonstrate us the assembly of a yurt. They are true masters of their profession. The family has been producing yurts for more than 20 years. At the World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata, they took the 1st place and built a yurt with 6 people in 8 minutes. Here, they work on average only with three persons and not under competition conditions.
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More InformationFurthermore, they give us time to film the individual steps. So they need about an hour on this day. Particularly impressive is how they spread the felt rugs over the roof with the help of the Uuk. It quickly becomes clear that every move is well thought.
In the inner courtyard, we are amused by the chickens leaving their stable on a wooden slide. Our driver has found a new friend, a nice puppy who is only a few days old.
After the successful construction, we enjoy a homemade Kumys, the fermented mare’s milk, and the traditional Kyrgyz Boorsok. This square shaped fried dough with jam is important dish all celebrations.
You like to experience how a yurt is built?
Book a Yurt Building Workshop in Kyzyl-Tuu
You might also be interested in Bel-Tam Yurt Camp at Issyk-Kul Lake
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Disclosure: Our trip was organized in cooperation with Discover Kyrgyzstan, and made possible by the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). All opinions are our own.
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