Mrs & Mr. Jumagul

The Jumagul's

Mr.Jumagul and Mrs.Mairam are arguably the most wonderful people I met during the trip . They live in Baraskoon Gorge in summer tending to sheep, cows and horses. I stayed with them for 2 nights. There was no electricity or running water and toilet was a hole in the ground.

It was common for Kyrgyz people to be named after something that happens when they were born. Jumagul means Friday flower (he was born on Friday) and Mairam was born during a festival (Mairam means celebration)

One of the old traditions that is dying out is kidnapping  girls for marriage. But the prospective groom had to follow certain code of conduct if "kidnapping" was to become accepted by society. The girl would be kidnapped and taken to the boys house. The boy's mother who would be informed prior to the kidnapping would be ready with a white scarf. If the mother-in-law succeeded in tying the scarf around the girls head the girl had no choice but to get married. The girl would stay in the boys house with female members of the boys family for 3 days. On the 3rd day the boy and girl would meet in public and have tea together. Boy had to pay some money to the girls parents and then the wedding celebration would begin.

I asked them how they got married. That bought a big smile from both of them. Jumagul knew Mairam as they were family friends. Jumagul went to Mairam's college and told her that her family had asked him to pick her from college. She was 18 and he was 22.Jumagul's mom was waiting with the scarf. She  was confused why Jumagul was taking her to his house. Before Mairam realised there was a white scarf around her head.3 days later was the wedding. I think he regrets kidnapping her. Now she is the boss of the house.

Baraskaun Gorge

All the food in the house was cooked by Mairam. She would bake the bread, make the noodles, churn the milk. I would see her working all day, either milking the cows or cutting timber for the fire. Life is hard.

Traditions are dying out fast. "Kidnapping" brides has become a criminal offense. New generation does not want to endure the hardship of living in the mountains and tending the animals. Food can be bought from the local supermarkets.You could feel that the Jumagul's knew that their way of living would die with them.