Children’s yurt camps, which are attended by children of local shepherds, are becoming increasingly popular in Kyrgyzstan. Training centres offer a wide range of training courses, MIR 24 reports.
Children aged from 2 to 10 years attend the camp this season. Most of them are children of shepherds. While their parents graze sheep and cows, they study letters, draw and read. Children take part in ancient rituals, for example, «Tushoo Kesuu» — cutting the bonds, which is performed when the child is taking his first steps. This ritual involves a black and white tourniquet tying the child’s legs, and the first child who runs to it.
Children learn traditions and national culture through play. The main purpose of these camps is to instil in children a love for their national culture. The participants say they learn something new at the lessons every time. For example, they recently learned how to weave a braid and prepare a drink «zharma».
Training centres in the mountains are a great support for parents, because many children of local shepherds do not attend kindergartens. There are over a hundred children’s training centres throughout the country, and children can attend them free of charge.
