Kazakh Yurta
A YURTA is a transportable, collapsible dwelling that came to Kazakhstan from ancient times. It consists of wooden framework covered with felt. The framework ("kerege") forms the walls of the dwelling, and are made of latticed wooden poles; long wooden poles (―uyuk‖) serve as a cover for the upper spherical portion of the yurta; "shanrak" is the topmost open part of the yurta, serving as an outlet for the smoke raising from the hearth, for purposes of ventilation and scanty lighting of the yurta's interior. Depending on the air temperature the yurta is covered with two if not more layers of felt. The outermost layer is covered with a special material for it to be impenetrable for rain or snow.
The yurta's area ranges from 6 - 7 m. to 30 - 40 m. The spherical form makes it an exceedingly heat-conserving dwelling. Many yurts have folding, carved entrance door's made of pine or birch-tree. In real fact, framework motifs reflected Kazakhstani flora and fauna.
Right in the center of the yurta one finds a hearth with a cauldron ("kazan"). The hearth is regarded as a place of honor, meant for particularly respectable, distinguished guests. The main decoration of the yurta is, no doubt, carpets ("tekemets") made mostly of felt. The interior looks quite bright owing to a multitude of colorful carpets manufactured from wool and/or felt (felt is often used for a carpet‘s inlaid design). Yurtas also have other homemade materials, such as weaving, embroidery, and wickerwork products, inside them.
Every little corner in the yurta has a purpose of its own - a part for men, a part for women, a part for clothes. There is even enough room for a "shop," such as fixing a harness or other tasks. Enough room exists for preparing meals, for bed, for horse's gear, for children, for the son and the daughter-in-law.
Simplicity and feasibility of manufacture (made from natural materials), easy and quick assembly, easy transportability turned the yurta into an ideal dwelling of a nomad. Yurtas are still a part of life in the steppe.
The yurta's area ranges from 6 - 7 m. to 30 - 40 m. The spherical form makes it an exceedingly heat-conserving dwelling. Many yurts have folding, carved entrance door's made of pine or birch-tree. In real fact, framework motifs reflected Kazakhstani flora and fauna.
Right in the center of the yurta one finds a hearth with a cauldron ("kazan"). The hearth is regarded as a place of honor, meant for particularly respectable, distinguished guests. The main decoration of the yurta is, no doubt, carpets ("tekemets") made mostly of felt. The interior looks quite bright owing to a multitude of colorful carpets manufactured from wool and/or felt (felt is often used for a carpet‘s inlaid design). Yurtas also have other homemade materials, such as weaving, embroidery, and wickerwork products, inside them.
Every little corner in the yurta has a purpose of its own - a part for men, a part for women, a part for clothes. There is even enough room for a "shop," such as fixing a harness or other tasks. Enough room exists for preparing meals, for bed, for horse's gear, for children, for the son and the daughter-in-law.
Simplicity and feasibility of manufacture (made from natural materials), easy and quick assembly, easy transportability turned the yurta into an ideal dwelling of a nomad. Yurtas are still a part of life in the steppe.
Exterior
Interior
Information Provided By Peace Corps Kazakhstan
