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Our horse trekking adventure in Kyrgyzstan
inspired the beginning of
our import business. While riding through the Tien Shan
mountain range bordering China, we met and enjoyed the company of
the native Kyrgyz people who were herding their livestock in the
foothills of these high, wild mountains. |
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Traditionally the Kyrgyz people
are nomadic shepherds who live in yurts.
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Kyrgyz women enjoy making
shirdaks
as a group and work together in each other's homes.
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For centuries the tribal women have been making shirdaks,
hand-felted carpets used to line the yurt for warmth and decoration.
These carpets are made from morino sheep wool which they felt, color
with dyes, cut in ornate patterns, stitch, and finally quilt into
thick, luxurious, warm rugs. |
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The designs in the carpets
are inspired by the patterns they see in
animal horns. All the work is done by hand. It can take one
woman months to complete a single carpet. |
| The best morino wool comes from the Naryn
region and in this area there are
now several workshops and women's cooperatives, working together to
produce carpets and other felt items for export. Sewing
carpets provides work for women in an area where there are few jobs. |
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We also sell other felt
crafts
including: pillows, hats, slippers, handbags, saddle blankets,
wall hangings, Christmas ornaments and stockings, belts and
scarves. |
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We travel to Kyrgyzstan
to hand-select rugs and also employ a small group of Kyrgyz
crafters who are
making carpets especially for us.
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We will be hosting a special tour to
Kyrgyzstan in September 2006. For details
and pricing information please CLICK HERE
to make your request.
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