Inheritance

A “shyrdak” is a traditional felt carpet originally used by shamanistic Kyrgyz tribes of Central Asia to insulate and decorate their yurts, keeping their moveable homes warm in winter and cool in summer. In the 20th century, under Soviet rule, the nomadic Kyrgyz were settled into collectivized agriculture. In 2012, the traditional art of Kyrgyz felt carpetmaking was included in UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection. While the population of today’s Kyrgyzstan is still largely rural, modern products can satisfy the practical needs that used to be met by a felted carpet. In spite of this, the significance of feltmaking as a Kyrgyz cultural tradition is unquestionable. This film documents how one family is passing on the tradition to the younger generation while showing us the laborious process of wool felting and explaining the meaning of the symbols that beautifully decorate the shyrdak’s felted surface.