Altynkul Mambetova, born in 1963, has spent decades mastering various types of handicrafts. The craftswoman engages in sewing clothes, knitting, and making traditional felt carpets.

Tradition and Craft

According to the At-Bashy resident, she has mastered almost all areas of sewing, with the exception of loom weaving. From a young age, she prepared dowries for her daughters and provided her children with self-made clothing.

"We do what we can. Of course, many things are beyond our strength or do not work out. I master almost all types of sewing. I only do not know how to weave on a loom; I have mastered the rest. There have been ups and downs in life, and I did not have time to learn everything. But I am grateful for the craft I master now."
Altynkul Mambetova

At the age of 56, the craftswoman focused on knitting. For a long time, she made dresses, socks, and mittens for family members and others.

"You could say that I raised my children through knitting when they were little. I knitted dresses, socks, and mittens. And I prepared dowries for my daughters. And now I do what is within my power."

In addition to individual work, Mambetova, together with other women from the village, participates in the creation of shyrdaks—national felt carpets, contributing to the development of Kyrgyz craftsmanship.

Context

The events take place in the At-Bashy district of Naryn region, which has a population of 314,900 people as of 2025.