"Alp-Karakush" Shyrdak

Shyrdak is a Kyrgyz national carpet made of felt, the ornament of which is made in mosaic technique. The name comes from the word shyryk, which means quilting - one of the main processes in the creation of this carpet, which makes it strong and durable. The history of felting goes far back into the depths of centuries.

For the Kyrgyz, shyrdaks, along with kiiz, were essential items in everyday life. They were laid on the floor or on the grass. Recently, small shyrdaks have been very popular among foreign tourists.

Among the traditional drawings of shyrdak are animals, deer horns, as well as inscriptions that are an encrypted message for the owner of the carpet. They are given to girls as a dowry on their wedding day.

Today shyrdak is one of the rarest types of carpet art in Kyrgyzstan.