Religion in Kyrgyzstan

There are many different religious groups with members in Kyrgyzstan. The largest of these

groups is Islam, with which 83% of Kyrgyz

citizens align themselves. The map on the right

shows this spread as it outlines the religious

groups of the area. Christianity is second, with

15% of the population. A great array of other

Figure 1: This figure is a map of
the religions of Kyrgyzstan and
religious traditions claim the remaining 2% of the the surrounding areas. The yellow
represents Sunni Muslims.

Kyrgyz population. Islam originated in Mecca,

which is west of Kyrgyzstan, and spread east until

it arrived in Kyrgyzstan in the 8th century. It was loosely adopted, and was mixed with other Kyrgyz

traditions to form a more interpretive version of a Sunni Muslim population. Christianity began in

Jerusalem. According to Vengatur (2003), archeological remains of Christian churches can be found

in Kyrgyzstan dating as far back as the 7th century. By the 9th century, an archdiocese of the Church

of the East was assigned to the people of Kyrgyzstan. In the 19th century, a great swell of Russian

Orthodox Christians came in from the incorporation of Kyrgyzstan into the Russian Empire.

Mainstream religions have played relatively small roles in the social development of the

culture of Kyrgyzstan. For a very long time, and even continuing into the present, much of

Kyrgyzstan consisted of nomadic tribes, and the specific traditions and customs of the tribes

overpowered the influences of Islam. Shamanism and Totemism is still common practice among those

who identify as Muslim in Kyrgyzstan, and can be found especially in ceremony. For example,
funeral services often have overtones of Shamanism, and the Kyrgyz have a relationship with their

dead that is unlike most who practice Islam. There have, however, been some influences of Islam that

have impacted Kyrgyz culture. Clothing is one major area. There is a tendency toward more modest

dress among men and women, though this is less strictly

enforced [Figure 2]. There have also been many politicians

who support more Islam-aligned projects, such as the

construction of more mosques, and the implementation of

more religious schools. Similarly, many people in

Kyrgyzstan support polygamy, and have many relationships

that, while not legally backed, they refer to as marriages. Figure 2: Kyrgyz fashion designer Elmira
wearing Islam-inspired clothing.

These people support passing legislature to decriminalize

polygamy.

As far as what is considered sacred to the people of Kyrgyzstan, there is once again a melding

of religion and culture. Mecca is a very sacred place, and there have been efforts to establish a tax-

free pilgrimage, or hajj, from Kyrgyzstan to Mecca. Additionally, the Kyrgyz see cemeteries as very

sacred places as well [Figure 3]. The Kyrgyz believe that the spirits of the dead have the ability to

Figure 3: Kyrgyz cemetery on top of a hill.

offer aid to their descendants, and they therefore have great respect for the dead. Cemeteries are

often on top of tall hills, and it is improper and disrespectful to walk over or step on a grave. Kyrgyz

people offer their passed ancestors food in prayers, and pour water over their graves so they will not

be thirsty. Those of the Kyrgyz who are Muslim most commonly celebrate their religious holidays,

but do not practice the religion on a daily basis. This means that their sacred mosques are held to a

slightly lower esteem than in other places where they are more regularly frequented.

Any connections between religion and politics in Kyrgyzstan appears more or less

coincidental, when the morals of the leaders of the country happen to often align with the practices

of Islam. When the leaders are Muslim, this happens more frequently, and shifts towards Islamic

attitudes in political decisions can be spotted. According to ETH Zurich (2016), there have also been

times, however, when to prove that Kyrgyzstan is not becoming an Islamic state, that the government

officials have sponsored other church organizations and religions. Overall, there is more of a presence

of the old traditions in politics, and more specifically, in which laws are upheld to which extent.

There are certain practices, like that of bride-kidnapping, which have been illegal for years, but

continue with little opposition. This is due to the degree to which it has been engrained into certain

regions of Kyrgyzstans culture.

Overall, I think that Kyrgyzstan has one of the most compelling religious backdrops of any

place I have studied. They have a very unique melding of their ancient traditions with more modern

religions, and have found ways to incorporate modern practices into older ceremonies. While it is

still a major part of the lives of many of the Kyrgyz people, it does not appear as though religion has

interfered with the natural development of the Kyrgyz traditions and practices. This is especially

interesting when compared to the rest of the region containing Kyrgyzstan, where religion has been
rather more pervasive. The nomadic nature of the early Kyrgyz people, and the relative lateness to

when Islam and Christianity were brought into the land, has left the Kyrgyz people with a much

more moderate and representative version of popular religions.

Sources

Countries and their Cultures. (2014). Kyrgyz Religion and Expressive Culture. Retrieved from

http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Kyrgyz-Religion-and-Expressive-

Culture.html.

Elmira Ismanova, budding designer from Kyrgyzstan. (2014). [The way she drapes her hijab is a sure

way of getting a modest jacket look.]. Retrieved from https://www.aquila-

style.com/fashionbeauty/aquilas-picks/style-spied-elmira-ismanova/81000/.

ETH Zurich. (2016). Center for Security Studies. Retrieved from

http://www.css.ethz.ch/en/services.html.

MapCruzin. (1992). Azerbaijan Major Muslim Ethnic Groups in Armenia, Iran, and the Islamic

Commonwealth States. Retrieved from http://www.mapcruzin.com/free-maps-

thematic/commonwealth_islamic_groups.jpg.

Noll, D., Scott, A. (2007). Kyrgyz Cemetery with a View- Manzhyly, Kyrgyzstan. Retrieved from

https://www.flickr.com/photos/uncorneredmarket/1762874622/in/album-

72157602725377253/.

Oriental Express Central Asia. (2003). About Religion in Central Asia. Retrieved from

https://orexca.com/religia.shtml.
U.S. Department of State. (2001). International Religious Freedom Report, Bureau of Democracy,

Human Rights, and Labor. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2001/5598.htm.

Vengatur. (2003). History of Orthodoxy in Kyrgyzstan. Retrieved from

http://www.vegatur.ru/kyrgyzstan/istoriya_pravoslaviya_kyrgyzstana.html.