Before I came to Kyrgyzstan, I knew that traditional values were highly regarded in Kyrgyz society. However, living in Bishkek has shown me to what extent that is true and how it might depend on the region and the specific family.
Since moving in with my host family, I have observed how family roles shape their home life. My host family consists of my host parents and their five children. They have four daughters and one son: Farida, Aidana, Kanykei, Emir, and Datkayim. However, aunts, uncles, cousins and my host sibling's maternal grandmother often come to visit. When there are many guests over, my host mom and host sisters are expected to cook food and serve everyone.
I am also currently taking an elective called "Kyrgyz Culture and Traditions," where we have studied family culture in Kyrgyzstan. I learned that in traditional Kyrgyz society, families often took the form of extended families, with several generations living under one roof. This meant that parents, children, grandchildren and even distant relatives lived together. This living situation required following a familial hierarchy to maintain order.
Here are some Kyrgyz words that are used to describe traditional family roles:
