OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — KYRGYZSTAN 87. GULYA'S NATIVITY
This Nativity is handcrafted from wool felt by Gulya in Kyrgyzstan. Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are joined by 3 wise men, 2 shepherds, 2 sheep, a camel, a donkey, a dog, plus an angel and a star. The traditional figures are joined by a decorated yurt—the traditional felt dwelling of Central Asian nomadic peoples. On the front of the yurt a scripture reference is stitched in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet. The reference is Luke 2:11, which states, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The Joseph figure measures 4.5 inches to the top of his kolpok hat. The yurt measures 6 inches in diameter. The name “Kyrgyzstan” is embroidered on the inside base of the yurt.
Gulya is very hard of hearing and relies on lip-reading and sign language to communicate. But her situation does not stop her from enjoying meaningful relationships with others. Gulya enjoys creating items from felt that tell a story.
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.
Gulya is very hard of hearing and relies on lip-reading and sign language to communicate. But her situation does not stop her from enjoying meaningful relationships with others. Gulya enjoys creating items from felt that tell a story.
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.