Kyrgyz people

Kyrgyz people are a Turkic ethnic group native to Kyrgyzstan, as well as regions in China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. They are recognized for their rich cultural heritage, which includes a tradition of nomadic lifestyle, folklore, and music.

History

The history of the Kyrgyz people dates back to ancient times. They are believed to have descended from the Yenisei Kyrgyz, a Turkic group that lived in the upper Yenisei River region during the 1st millennium AD. The Yenisei Kyrgyz established a powerful khaganate that was noted in Chinese and Muslim geographical works.

Language

The Kyrgyz people speak Kyrgyz, a member of the Karluk branch of the Turkic language family. The language is closely related to Kazakh and, to a lesser extent, to Uzbek. The Kyrgyz language uses the Cyrillic script in Kyrgyzstan, while those in China use an Arabic script.

Culture

Kyrgyz culture is heavily influenced by their nomadic heritage. This is reflected in their yurts, a type of portable tent that has been a primary form of dwelling for the Kyrgyz for centuries. The Kyrgyz are also known for their epic poem, the Epic of Manas, which is one of the longest epic poems in the world.

Religion

The majority of Kyrgyz people practice Sunni Islam, which was introduced to the region by Arab traders and missionaries in the 8th century. However, elements of Tengrism, the traditional Turkic belief system, are still present in Kyrgyz religious practices.

Cuisine

Kyrgyz cuisine is a reflection of the nation's nomadic history and has been influenced by Turkic, Mongol, and Russian cuisines. Staple dishes include Beshbarmak, a boiled meat dish, and Kumis, a fermented dairy product made from mare's milk.

See also

• History of Kyrgyzstan
• Culture of Kyrgyzstan
• Kyrgyzstan

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  Ala-Bel Pass, Kyrgyzstan

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  A Kyrgyz woman

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  Family in a yurt

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  Kyrgyz women offering butter and salt

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  Kyrgyz eagle huntsman

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  Eurasian genetic PCA centered on Central Asians

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  Mosque in Tokmok

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  Kirghiz tents

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  Kyrgyz people