CULTURE
The shape of the Kazakh yurt ’ s dome had low hemisphere shape . The hoop was large in diameter , poles had big curves on the bottom parts .
Separate wooden parts of the yurt ’ s carcas were so strong that they could handle the weight of felt and insulating cover for winters , snow and wind pressure . The frame was binded durable and secure way , so that assembled Kazakh yurt could be lift up without taking it down . The wooden frame ’ s weight for a large eight-rope yurt was in average 150-200 kilos .
The kazakh yurt ’ s door is called Sykyrlauyk – meaning ‘ squeaky ’ (‘ creaking ’). The door elements are put together without using nails . Door and its jambs would be decorated with various carved ornaments , painted in different colors and encrusted with bones .
Felt cover of yurt was composed of four main elements that matched the four carcas parts . Lettice cylinder wall was covered with four-square pieces of felt that closed one third of the dome . Two trapesoidal felts were covering the whole dome , leaving just the rim open . The rectangular felt was bind onto the three angles only , keeping the fourth one open to let the light and fume out in warm weather or closed during the rainy , snowy and cold times . The door was a final felt-made part . It was rectangular cloth sewn of two felt layers and hemmed with the grass-made mat . The felt door was attached to the rim on the top and would touch the floor on the bottom .
Instead of separate felts for the dome and walls , there were long covers for carcas hanging from the rim to the very bottom of the yurt . Such coverings were pointed out by S . I . Rudenko in the Western Kazakhstan . They were also present in Semey and Karaganda oblasts . All felt covers were trimmed with hair trace to be firmer . The hair ropes would sometimes be sewn onto the felt angles to be bound on the frame of the yurt .
The work to assemple and reassemble the yurt was relied on women . Kazakh yurt can be set up by 2-3 women . It can take them just one hour to accomplish . First , the units ( Kerege ) were put around and bind together with brain . The door frame was put and attached in between two grids . Then , any man would put up the rim , using a special perch with the fork on the edge . The rim was bound with 3-4 poles , then the others were put in and bound . The lettice wall on the top would be pulled together by fabric ribbon that was 30-45 sm wide . Baskur usually had an ornament and was one of the decorative element in the yurt ’ s interior . Baskurs with pile pattern are widespread in the Southern Kazakhstan where carpet weaving was practiced . The wealthy Kazakh yurts were pulled together with two or three baskurs . If the yurt was covered with felt , then Beldeu was bound in two spots outside . Felt valve were attached on the final stage .
Ribbons of different sizes and ornaments were weaved from wool , mainly camel yarn . They were decorating the interiors . Fabric or braided narrow ribbons were hanging down the rims . They were tied up to the driven stake in the middle of the yurt . Ribbons for pulling together poles in case of moving were also hanging from the ceiling . These ribbons often had colorful brushes on the ends . In case of the strong wind additional support-pole were put inside the yurt , the rope loop was thown on top of the dome . In centuries of nomadic life Kazakhs worked out strict and rational distribution of the limited space of their home where all the necessary for living could be stored .
Parts of Kazakh yurt
Kazakh yurt was always set on an open and sunny place . It was on purpose since all economic and domestic activities for a nomad were directly related to the cycle of sun . The door to the yurt was placed strictly facing the South . In accordance with the sun shines angle streaming through the top hole in the yurt , gradual shift of sun light from one side of the yurt to another , a nomad would define time and build the day schedule . That is why everything had its strict order : furniture placement and dividing the yurt into the parts .
The place for the shelter / fireplace was made in the middle of the yurt . Such setting created the best for condition fire draft and even warming up the space . In the end of 19th – beginning of 20th century the fire was breed on the ground , making a special pit ( socket ) for it . Above the fire there were iron tripod for the boiler or Mosy with the hook to hang the pot . The ceiling in the yurt apart from the fireplace was covered with homespun and felts . Opposite the door ( the best place ), by the yurt ’ s wall the cabinet was set or the main property was kept . A special wooden stand were set for dower chests , felt made cases , bags with extra clothing and other things . Folded blankets and pillows were put on top . Sometimes this storage was covered wth ornamented felt carpet or fabric covering wih embroidery .
The place in front of the storage / cabinet was called Tor – the most honorable place in the yurt . Usually the head of the family or most honored guests were taking this place . On top of the regular felt , the place was covered by special underlays to sit on , wool quilted , fur ( Korpe , Bostek ), ornamneted with felt or carpet .
The Kazakh yurt space by the entrance – Bosaga – was designed for households . Female side was located on the right from
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