OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — KYRGYZSTAN 521. SMALL CAVE NATIVITY
This small Nativity in a cave is handcrafted from wool felt by Sonun in a remote mountain community in Kyrgyzstan. Mary and Joseph and a lamb watch over baby Jesus. The figures are each meticulously stitched. The cave measures 3.25 inches tall by 4.25 inches wide.
Sonun has been working with sewing and felting wool since her childhood, having learned the important skills from her mother and other female relatives. After developing her skills for most of her life, in 2014 she converted her hobby into a job to employ herself and other women in her community. She went to special courses to learn new technology and attended trainings on new methods of working with wool in particular. Sonun has a strong desire to help local women and their families, so she regularly shares the orders she receives with others who are also in need.
Felt, or kiyiz in Kyrgyz, is manufactured through a laborious process. Sheared wool is first washed and dried. The dry wool is then placed on a chiy mat and whipped for several hours to make it fluffy. Next, the wool is sprinkled with hot water and the chiy mat is rolled up and tied with string. Once tied, hot water is poured over the roll in an open space and the roll is kicked and trodden on for several hours. This melds the wool together into a strong and durable felt. The chiy mat is then unwound and the resulting felt is left to dry.
Sonun has been working with sewing and felting wool since her childhood, having learned the important skills from her mother and other female relatives. After developing her skills for most of her life, in 2014 she converted her hobby into a job to employ herself and other women in her community. She went to special courses to learn new technology and attended trainings on new methods of working with wool in particular. Sonun has a strong desire to help local women and their families, so she regularly shares the orders she receives with others who are also in need.
Felt, or kiyiz in Kyrgyz, is manufactured through a laborious process. Sheared wool is first washed and dried. The dry wool is then placed on a chiy mat and whipped for several hours to make it fluffy. Next, the wool is sprinkled with hot water and the chiy mat is rolled up and tied with string. Once tied, hot water is poured over the roll in an open space and the roll is kicked and trodden on for several hours. This melds the wool together into a strong and durable felt. The chiy mat is then unwound and the resulting felt is left to dry.