Inside a Kyrgyz yurt: symbols woven in felt

The Kyrgyz yurt, or boz üy, is a round felt tent built on a wooden lattice. The roof ring, the tunduk, appears on the national flag.

How a yurt is arranged

The place opposite the door is for honoured guests. The left side is traditionally for men and the right for women and kitchen goods, although families vary.

The patterns on the felt

Shyrdak and ala-kiyiz rugs use stylised ram horns, plants and water. Each pattern has a meaning that the maker may explain if you ask.

Guest etiquette

• Remove your shoes at the door and step over, not on, the threshold
• Accept tea and bread, even a small amount
• Use your right hand to give and take

You can stay in a yurt on our Nomad Family Escape or the Song-Kul Horse Journey. See Song-Kul for where the yurt camps are.