People of Bishkek

Kyrgyz people are known as one of the oldest nationalities in Central Asia – as they were mentioned in Chinese texts over 2000 years ago.  To my naked eye, people’s faces range from Caucasian to Mongolian in heritage.   

Here are some faces from Kunduz’ immediate family.

1.  The first picture shows Kunduz' dad, Rysbek, and Jim.  Earlier, I mentioned the Kyrgyz bread called boorsok.  It is shown in this picture on the left side of the basket.  It is NOT to be mistaken for the bread in the upper right corner of the basket.  Everyone knows that is bread from Kazakhstan!    

2.  Kunduz' grandfather, shown in the right hand picture, is wearing a traditional Kyrgyz hat called a kalpak.  (What the baseball cap is to America, a kalpak is to Kyrgyzstan.)  Traditionally, it has four panels of white felt with patterns stitched in black or white.  It is never to be placed on the ground.

3.  Kunduz' sister Chinara.  Isn't she pretty?









4.  Friend Babur we met on our last trip to Kyrgyzstan - and his new wife!