KAZAKH YURT AND THE ASIAN TENT

Urumqi, in the northern Himalayas, is the center of the Kazakh culure, which extends to the east of present-day Kazakhstan, northern China, western Mongolia, and southern Russia. The traditional yurts, or tents, are covered mainly with plant fibers and wool, although animal hides are also used. Their structure and, in many cases, their stone bases are indicative of the more permanent nature of the settlements.



Many characteristics of Asia and Middle Eastern peoples are found in the Kazakh culture, stuated in what we today call Kazakhstan. This ethnic group is largely the product of Mongol and Chinese migrations; its language is of Turkish origin, but the predominant language, for commercial and political reasons associated with the group's recent history, is Russian. Many of their cultural manifestations, as well as the composition of their temporary dwellings, are perhaps outgrowths of this geographic location and mix of cultures. The Kazakhs are traditionally nomadic, moving about in search of grasslands for their livestock, mainly sheep.

Du to the climate and the prolonged periods of time for which they resid in each place, their tents, called yurts, are equipped to withstand low temperatures. They are strong structures, yet a little more complicated than the tents of other cultures. Yurist are circular, with a cylindrical permeter that frees up every inch of the interior for use, and are topped by a concical roof. Their sturdy framework is made of approximately 60 interconnected wooden poles, relatively east to assemble and dismantle. The convering of felt, wool fabric, and other plant materials insulates the interior and makes for a smooth, padded outer appearance. This type of tent, halfway between nomadic and sedentary architecture, is representative of many regions of China, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Russia.