Alongside Islam the Kyrgyz tribes also practiced totemism, the recognition of spiritual kinship with a particular type of animal.
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.
As everywhere in the world, weddings tend to be big and joyous affairs.