Kyrgyz Turks Preserve Culture in Yozgat, Türkiye

Kyrgyz Turks, who migrated from Afghanistan’s Pamir Plateau to Türkiye in 1982, continue to maintain their cultural heritage in Yozgat’s Yenifakılı district. Resettled in homes built by the Türkiye’s Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ), 40 Kyrgyz Turk families engage in horse breeding, leatherworking, and rug weaving with traditional motifs. They also offer unique accommodations in traditional tents without modern amenities. Supported by the local municipality, the ‘Kyrgyz Cultural Bazaar’ showcases their crafts and preserves traditions like carpet weaving and the ‘minstrel game.’ Despite modern challenges, they are committed to passing their cultural heritage to future generations.