Photo: © BridgingTheGaps.org

Beyond Bishkek, (above) most of Kyrgystan’s people live in villages within the Tian Shan Mountain range. Traditionally Kyrgyz villagers would have turned to their respected elders when a problem arose. There were Aksakals (councils of men) and Baybiche (wise grandmothers) who could solve any issue. As with many indigenous societies, the past few decades of globalization have led to rapid cultural change in Kyrgyzstan and the loss of traditional knowledge. Modern society increasingly recognizes this loss as a contributing factor in environmental degradation. Still, as far as we know, there has never been an effort until now, led by indigenous Kyrgyz cultural practitioners, aimed at giving young people first-hand insights into their ancestral traditions and practices, with particular emphasis on protection of ​​snow leopards and their habitat.

Zhaparkul (pronounced Ja-par-kul) Raimbekov is a founding member of the Land of Snow Leopard Network (LOSL). He is Guardian of Arashan Sacred Site and Giver of Blessings throughout his community. As such, he is one of the wise, respected indigenous elders and knowledge-keepers. Blessings were an important element in Kyrgyzstan’s traditional culture, and people still believe in their power. They can be given by any elder, but specialists like Zhaparkul are sought out for their wisdom and ability to bridge the present with the realm of the ancestors, and to relay with deep insight the blessings he receives.

Elders and Youth for Conservation of the Snow Leopard was entirely Zhaparkul’s idea, proposed at our May, 2019, Land of Snow Leopard Network gathering, and subsequently funded by Snow Leopard Conservancy via LOSL. Zhaparkul brought together a team of cultural practitioners including a Manaschi (chanter of Kyrgyzstan’s ancient Manas legend), a local Komuzist (player of traditional musical instruments), an Umai Ene (guardian of women and children), a former mayor of Zhaparkul’s home town, and a representative of a local public heritage organization. Together Zhaparkul and his team carried out a campaign to spread traditional knowledge of snow leopards and their habitat. The campaign ran from June through December 2019. We are grateful to LOSL member Kuluipa Akmatova, director of the Rural Development Fund (RDF), for her able interpretation of Zhaparkul’s detailed, eloquent, and often poetic account of the accomplishments of his team. In approving this blog and ensuring that I hadn’t misinterpreted any of Zhaparkul’s narrative, Kuluipa wanted us to know, “There are things that cannot be described in a report like this—our love for our sacred land, our culture and history, and the Snow Leopard.”