Balbals (Kurgan stelae)
Type
History
Balbal is a small stone statue, which is probably memorials to the honoured dead. Usually a stone statue has a bowl in his hands.
The tradition to install the stone monuments associated with the veneration of ancient ancestors of the Turks. The ancient nomads made a figure of the deceased, and then spent the holiday. During the funeral feast the people had to eat and drink, this meant that in this way the spirit of the deceased could eat. That's why balbala is usually depicted with a bowl in hand. The Kyrgyz believed that the soul of the deceased lived in a tent after the death during the year in the form of balbala or other image that is called "Tul". After a year of mourning, kugan stele was installed on the grave of the deceased.
Balbals were usually set in the prairies on the mounds, where everybody could see them. The faces of the statues were facing East. The Kyrgyz nomads had a tradition to come to balbal, depicting great warriors, to ask for blessings, assistance and protection before the upcoming military campaigns.
In Kyrgyzstan, stone monuments to the ancestors, depicting portraits once lived Turks, are found in all areas, being a silent reminder of ancient history and unique nomadic civilization.
To see and touch Balbals you can see near the State historical Museum where the whole row of stone statues. In addition, about 100 balbals are located near the Burana tower. Travelers can find balbals, in its original form in the valley of the Sary-Zhaz river – the Uch-Kel and Kaindy rivers.
Balbals are also found in Germany, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and southern Siberia, Altai and Tuva, as a kind of symbol of nomads domination of the steppe and the territory in ancient times.
To see and touch Balbalan you can from the comfort of Bishkek, near State historical Museum has a number of stone statues. In addition, about 100 balbals located in the immediate vicinity of the village of tower Bureinskogo. Travelers can find balbala, while maintaining the original location in the valley of the river Sary-Zhaz and its tributaries Uch-Kel and Kaindy.
To see and touch Balbalan you can from the comfort of Bishkek, near State historical Museum has a number of stone statues. In addition, about 100 balbals located in the immediate vicinity of the village of tower Bureinskogo. Travelers can find balbala, while maintaining the original location in the valley of the river Sary-Zhaz and its tributaries Uch-Kel and Kaindy.
Balbala is also found in Germany, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and southern Siberia, the Altai and Tuva, as a symbol of nomads domination over the steppes during the ancient times.