Аксакал (Aksakal) - This is the head of the household and is the eldest male member of the extended family. He has absolute authority over the family property and makes major decisions. The word "aksakal" means "white beard."
Байбиче (Baybiche) - The eldest wife of the aksakal. She directs household management and domestic tasks and holds supreme authority within the home, subordinate only to her husband.
Келин (Kelin) - A newly married woman who moves into her husband's family home. She occupies the lowest rank in the household hierarchy and has significant duties, including serving elders and performing the most arduous domestic work, especially in rural areas.
In Kyrgyz culture, the youngest son is expected to continue living with his parents after marrying and take care of them. In return, when his parents pass away, he is left with the house and other family belongings. A woman who marries the youngest son and moves in with his family is the kelin. Some women will deliberately avoid marrying a youngest son because it requires them to move into an unfamiliar family and do all the chores of the household. Many modern Kyrgyz people call the practice of "kelinism" exploitative.
