Tush kyiz ( ky, туш кийиз , туш — ''side, the edge'', кийиз — ''felt''; kk, тұс киіз) are large, elaborately embroidered wall hangings, traditionally made in

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan,, pronounced or the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and the People's Republic of China to the ea ...

and

Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Central Asia and partly in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the north and west, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, Uzbeki ...

by women to commemorate the marriage of a son or daughter. Colors and designs are chosen to symbolize Kyrgyz traditions and rural life. Flowers, plants, animals, stylized horns, national designs and emblems of Kyrgyz life are often found in these ornate and colorful embroideries. Designs are sometimes dated and signed by the artist upon completion of the work, which may take years to finish. The tush kyiz is hung in the

yurt A yurt (from the Turkic languages) or ger ( Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered and insulated with skins or felt and traditionally used as a dwelling by several distinct nomadic groups in the steppes and mountains of Central Asia ...

over the marriage bed of the couple, and symbolize their pride in their Kyrgyz tradition. The tush kyiz embroideries have been a family tradition among

Kyrgyz people The Kyrgyz people (also spelled Kyrghyz, Kirgiz, and Kirghiz; ) are a Turkic ethnic group native to Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is the nation state of the Kyrgyz people and significant diaspora can be found in China, Russia, and Uzbekistan. Th ...

for centuries, but among the last two generations, the tradition has been confined to rural women.

Shyrdak A shyrdak ( ky, шырдак, ) or syrmak ( kk, сырмақ, translit=syrmaq, ) is a stitched, and often colourful felt floor- and wallcovering, usually handmade in Central Asia. Kazakhs and Kyrgyz alike traditionally make shyrdaks, but especia ...

s (felt rugs) are still being made because these have always been an item for sale to the general public. Tush kyiz, on the other hand, have always been created as a deeply personal family heirloom, symbolizing a newly married couple's union with family, regional, and national tradition.

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Tush quiz of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstani culture Kazakhstani culture Ethnic Kyrgyz culture {{culture-stub

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