- Popular drinks
- What products to bring from Kyrgyzstan
- Souvenirs and gifts
Kyrgyzstan is an original state with a rich history, traditions and beautiful nature. Only positive impressions will be left from the trip there. But memories fade over time. And then an interesting souvenir bought as a keepsake will help refresh them. What to bring from Kyrgyzstan as a gift? Read about it below.
Popular drinks
Going to Kyrgyzstan and not trying kumis is like visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. This fermented milk drink is made from cow, mare or goat milk. The taste of kumis is quite specific, sweet and sour. Locals will tell you that the drink has many beneficial properties, quenches thirst well, and, depending on its composition, can produce both a calming and aphrodisiac effect.
Not every type of koumiss can be brought as a gift. It is better to choose a drink with a high alcohol content as a souvenir. The shelf life of such a product is much longer. But there are practically no medicinal properties in it. However, kumis is a great gift. Especially if you bring it not just in a glass container, but in an original bag made of mare or cow hide.
A person who is versed in alcoholic beverages will definitely say thank you if you give him the “Kyrgyzstan” cognac, which is prepared according to classical technologies. The main thing is to buy alcohol in the branded departments of stores and find out in advance how much alcohol is allowed to be imported into your home country.
What products to bring from Kyrgyzstan
A visit to any country is always connected not only with sightseeing. But also, of course, with a tasting of local cuisine. Unfortunately, it will not work to bring home national dishes such as beshbarmak, pilaf or chuchuk. But there will definitely not be any difficulties with the transportation of traditional sweets or fruits. As edible souvenirs, they usually bring: dzhusai (herbaceous onion); Uzgen rice (a kind of visiting card of the country); dried fruits; nuts; honey; funchose; jerky meat (most often lamb, horse meat).
You can surprise your friends and family by buying kurut as a treat. This is a national delicacy, very common in Kyrgyzstan. It is made from cottage cheese based on cow or goat milk. Salt is added to the curd and shaped into balls. Kurut is inexpensive and is sold literally at every turn. Moreover, it can be stored for a very long time.
Pastries and flour products deserve special praise. But you can enjoy manty, oromo or kulcheay only in the republic itself. Before leaving home, you can buy a cake. In the south, they are baked in special ovens, tandoors.
Souvenirs and gifts
In the past, Kyrgyzstan was a nomadic country, therefore, many types of crafts have long been developed in it: carpet weaving; bone carving; tanning; felting; jewelry. In the markets and shops you can find souvenirs, clothes, interior items made according to centuries-old traditions, with original colors and national ornaments. First of all, you should pay attention to felt products. These can be slippers, hats, wall panels. All things are made of natural wool and will be not only an interesting, but also a useful gift.
Since in the past the inhabitants were mainly nomadic, accessories and crafts made of genuine leather are another traditional souvenir. Today, the manufacture of things from the skin of sheep or camel is not limited only to clothing and footwear. As a souvenir, you can buy cases and covers, bags, jewelry, chess and backgammon. Very often, tourists buy figurines or jewelry carved from bone or horns as a keepsake. Usually, their cost is quite high, because almost all products are cut by hand.
Ceramics deserves special attention. Pottery masters produce not only tableware, but also decorative items. Handmade crockery, although it costs more, is one of a kind. Each item is decorated with national ornaments.
As a gift for a woman, you can bring jewelry. Silver jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones: turquoise, opal, coral is considered traditional.
Backgammon is a very popular game, especially in Asia. Moreover, it is very ancient, its history goes back almost 5 thousand years. In Kyrgyzstan, you can find sets made from a variety of materials: traditional wood (pine, birch burl); leather (camel, sheep); stone.
The backgammon board is always decorated with national ornaments or drawings with landmarks. A handmade set can be very expensive. And, of course, national clothing will become a universal and memorable gift brought from Kyrgyzstan: harem pants, shirts, fur hats, sweaters and sweaters made of camel hair.
