Kyrgyzstan: Mythology

Kyrgyz are very ancient people, therefore mythology and beliefs among them are well developed. The main God for Kyrgyz, as well as for many Turkic people, was the God of heavs - Tenrgi. He was identified with the sky, and even the Tien Shan mountains Kyrgyz people named "Tengri-Too". Such name was given because tops of mountains were disappearing in clouds. And ancient Kyrgyz thought that on these mountains lives Tengri. The following deity to which worshipped Kyrgyz, it was the Goddess - Mother Umaj-Ene. She esteemed as the goddess of the earth and fertility, the keeper of the hearth, the patroness of women and children. Umaj-Ene was represented as a woman with a headdress with a triangular pattern. Often she was represented as a bird that lives on a World Tree. And Zher-Suu was the last of three deities most esteemed by ancient Kyrgyz. He was the God who lived in mountains and water sources. There were still, certainly, malicious demonic beings. Such as Albarsty - spirit which was in the form of the ugly woman of short growth with a flowing hair. Kyrgyz believed that a person could die if he saw Albarsty. But she was afraid of fire and dogs. In spite of the fact that Kyrgyz at present time are Muslims, vestiges of ancient beliefs, myths and legends all the same are presented in a world-view of Kyrgyz people. 

 

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