UNESCO Recognizes the Yurt-Making Traditions of Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Karakalpak Communities

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The traditional knowledge and skills of yurt construction among Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Karakalpak communities have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The announcement was made by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi, India.

The nomination brings together three countries — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — and highlights the cultural and symbolic importance of the yurt as a national dwelling and a marker of identity for Turkic peoples.

According to Mirziyoyeva, inscription on the UNESCO list reaffirms the value of these traditions and the dedication of artisans, researchers and cultural custodians who ensure the transmission of knowledge from generation to generation.

The yurt is already included in Uzbekistan’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and this international recognition further elevates its status, strengthening cultural ties among the countries of the region.