MEKEN OSMONALIEV
Barskoon village, Issyk-Kul oblast
A master craftsman from Barskoon and founder of the Ak-Orgo centre, Meken Osmonaliev devoted his life to preserving traditional Kyrgyz crafts. He designed his own mechanisms to make chiy weaving and wool processing easier, supporting the full process from raw wool to felt and shyrdak. He also made komuz, yurts, and terme.
After his untimely passing, his work was continued by his children - his sons Talant and Adilet, and his daughter Cholpon. Today, Ak-Orgo remains a place where tools, techniques, and family knowledge are preserved.
The story of the Osmonaliev family shows that tradition and knowledge do not end with one master when there is someone ready to receive them and carry them forward.
