Kyrgyzstan

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Alcoholic drinks in Kyrgyzstan

Arak (Kyrgyz for Vodka) the most common and popular form of hard alcohol – watch out for Samagonka – home made vodka. When drinking vodka - watch your hosts – Russians tend to drain their glasses – “down in one” – and so do many Kyrgyz – but a lot of Kyrgyz only drink half the glass.

SHORT INFORMATION

Overview of Kyrgyzstan

Officially name: The Kyrgyz Republic

Capital: Bishkek

Largest city: Bishkek

Government: Parliamentary republic

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

Kyrgyzstan holidays

Life amongst the nomadic Kyrgyz was extremely harsh and there was a high infant mortality rate. As a result birth and childhood were associated with many beliefs, superstitions and rituals - many with "shamanistic" overtones. Many of these have survived to the present day.