28.03.2017    18:22

Members of the Baychechekey and Oomat self-help groups (SHGs) in the village of Akman (Bazar-Korgon region) prepared sumalak, a traditional Kyrgyz dish, for the spring holiday of Nooruz. During the preparation of sumalak people always pray for peace, harmony and prosperity of the nation.

The SHGs, according to Dilam Abdyrakhmanova, the head of the Oomat SHG, have been making sumalak for over three years, bringing together the different nationalities of the village, strengthening friendships and understanding. Each person contributes what they can to the sumalak preparations and various traditional games are also played. For example, a race called ‘tushno kesmei’, involving all villagers, was organized and the parents of a child whose birthday coincides with Nooruz gave out prizes. Once the sumalak was ready (a long process that lasts for over 24 hours), the Baichechkey and Oomat SHGs distributed it to the villagers.

Baktykan Azhymamatova, Jalal-Abad Province