CULTURE
Kazakh Yurt –
symbolism and history
The main occupation for Kazakhs was nomadic and
seminomadic cattle-breeding. This defined a type
of nomadic housing which Kazakh yurt has become.
Origins of Kazakh yurt, shaping of its construction
features have been lively discussed until now in
specific literature. As per Veinstein’s opinion, ancient
Turkic yourt which was invented in the middle of
the first millenium AD and was related to portable
1 hour
to assemble the yurt by
one family
The yurt floor is covered by camel felt
– Shirdak – that scares away snakes
and Scorpio
64
world monitor
2 hours
construction – hemisphere Hunnic hovel – became
the prototype for the modern Kazakh yurt. Anyways,
this is obvious that nomadic yurt is a product of
long development, the improvement of more primal
(primitive) home types. This construction of an
original architectural solution has complex semantic
meaning and reflects cultural level of Turkic tribes,
their complicated ideology.
to disassemble the yurt
300-400 kilos
total weight of the furnished yurt.
It can be transported with one camel
Doorstep is made high, lintel –
is low. The first step is usually
made with the right foot
bending head. It symbolizes
respect to the hosting home