19-year-old Bishkek resident collects rare books on Kyrgyz ornaments

Nineteen-year-old Feruza Toichubaeva from Bishkek has developed a profound passion for Kyrgyz ornaments, viewing them as more than mere decorative elements. She sees them as a complex symbolic system that historically functioned as a form of written language for nomadic peoples. This deep appreciation has led her to amass a collection of over 65 rare and antique books dedicated to ethnography and Kyrgyz ornaments.

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Kyrgyz ornament is not just a bright decorative element on modern T-shirts, but a complex symbolic system that replaced writing for nomads.

Toichubaeva's fascination began in eighth grade when she started to consciously connect with her cultural heritage. This interest evolved into a desire to preserve and study her people's history and traditions. Her focus narrowed to ethnic clothing and the meanings embedded within its ornaments, eventually leading her to books that explore these intricate designs. Her first acquisition was "Kyrgyz Oyomoloru" (Kyrgyz Ornaments) from 1998, purchased for 1,500 Kyrgyz som – a considerable sum for her at the time.

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In eighth grade, I first began to truly realize my belonging to the culture and understood that it was important for me to preserve and study it. Then it became not just an interest, but an inner feeling that I wanted to be connected with the history and traditions of my people.

Her collection now boasts more than 65 items, a number she regularly updates. She is increasingly prioritizing the structure, meaning, and systematic organization of her collection over sheer quantity. Among her most prized possessions is "Kyrgyz National Pattern," edited by Orbeli and published in 1948 with a limited print run of only 1,200 copies. This book, the oldest in her collection, holds significant historical value as it was compiled by scholar Ryndin, who tragically did not live to see its publication. Researchers still reference this edition today.

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I bought it for 1,500 som, which was a lot of money for me then. It was with this that my passion began.

Acquiring such rare items is a challenging endeavor. Toichubaeva has been searching for "Folk Decorative and Applied Art of the Kyrgyz" from 1968, which had a print run of just 3,000 copies, for about six months. These publications rarely appear on the market, requiring patience and keen observation. She has found many of her treasures in antique shops, second-hand bookstores, auctions, and even on social media and flea markets. She emphasizes that rarity and age are important, but the author and scientific significance of a book are crucial factors in determining its true value. She once bought a book for 200 som that was later found to be valued at 170,000 tenge.

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It is also the oldest. The materials for it were collected by the scientist Ryndin, who, unfortunately, did not live to see the publication. This gives the publication special historical value, as researchers still refer to it.