Glossary
The encyclopedia of the tourist
J
Jailoo. In Kyrgyz, jailoo
means a high-altitude summer pasture, usually at 2,500-3,000 meters above
sea level. The distinguishing feature of summer life on the jailoos is the
yurt itself, the top ventilation hole of which, tunduk, is featured on the
Kyrgyz flag. Perfected over centuries of nomadic living, the boz ui is easily
constructed, dismantled, and carried. The yurt's interior is warm in winter
and cool in summer; it's no accident that the Kyrgyz people have used it
since ancient times.
Here, the traditions of a nomadic life - whole families living together
in portable dwellings called yurts ("boz ui" in Kyrgyz), tending cattle on
broad pastures, singing songs and playing games that generations of shepherds
have played - have been preserved. Top
Jalalabad is the administrative, economic and
cultural centre of Jalal-Abad oblast (province). It lies in the south of
the Kugart valley, in the foothills of the Babash Ata mountains to the North.
The climate is noted for dry, hot summers, warm and sunny autumns with rare
rainbursts and winters are warm with high humidity. The region is a centre
for fruit and vegetable growing.
One of Kyrgyzstan's main branches of the Silk Road passed through Djalal
Abad and the region has played host to travelers for thousands of years,
although little archaeological remains are visible today — except in some
of the more remote parts of the oblast — such as Saimaluu-Tash and the Chaktal
valley. These have included travellers, traders, tourists and pilgrims (to
the various holy sights) and sick people visiting the curative spas such
as in the Ayub Tau mountain, at the altitude of 700 m above sea level some
three kilometers out of town.
Jalalabad is famous for its spas. There is a legend that the water from the
Hozret-Ayub-Paigambar spa cured lepers. According to the legend there was
a grave, a mosque and the khan’s palace near the spa.
Abad is often used in Asian place names to refer to the person who founded
the community. It is said that Jalal Abad was named after Jalal ad din, who
was renowned for setting up caravanserais to serve travelers — and especially
the many pilgrims who came to the holy mountain.
In early 19th century a small Kokand fortress was built, and a small village
(kishlak) grew up around this. The local people were engaged in agriculture,
trade and provided services to the pilgrims visiting the spas. Then, in the
1870"s, Russian migrants came to the region. They set up a garrison town
and military hospital.
Jalalabad developed as a market town. Where cattle were bought and sold,
and so became known as a place of interaction between agricultural and nomadic
peoples.
The town had medieval narrow curved streets and the houses were surrounded
with high clay walls. Only mosques were decorated with colourful ornaments.
In 1916 a railway was built from Andijan to Jalalabad.
When the Soviets established their power in the region, great importance
was attached to the Jalalabad spas. Health resorts were built and both agriculture
and the food industry developed rapidly.
The city underwent a major period of reconstruction in the 1950's.
Nowadays Jalalabad is home to enterprises in the oil, construction, wood
processing, electro technical, light and food industries. As in all former
Soviet towns the main street was called Lenin Street — and in Jalalabad it
has retained it’s name, fountains and statue of Vladimir Illych.
There is a Historical and cultural museum.
There is a Community Based Tourism Project which can arrange accommodation
and services in Jalalabad and throughout the oblast. Top
Jalalabad, town (also Dzhalal-Abad, Jalal-Abad,
Jalalabat).
The third largest city in Kyrgystan after Bishkek and Osh, Jalalabad sits
in a broad plain of the Kugart Valley. Located at the juncture of Osh and
Jalal-Abad district on the edge of the fertile Fergana valley, the city of
Jalalabad is a quiet provincial capital and gateway to walnut forests and
secluded mountain lakes.
Jalalabad, meaning "the city of Jalal" takes its name from the 13th century
warrior, Jalal ad Din, who recruited troops in the Kalub River valley of
what is now Afghanistan to expel the Mongol hordes of Chingiz-Khan from the
Kugart Valley of what is now Kyrgyzstan. Both the site of the Muster in Afghanistan
and the battle in Kyrgyzstan testify to his valiant, if ultimately vain campaign.
Jalal himself died in the engagement. The site of his martyrdom was lost
under fields of cotton and wheat; the faces of the Kyrgyz who trace their
lineage to those Mongol warriors are the only witnesses of his failure.
Though named for a forgotten soldier, the region is perhaps best known for
its association with another, far more fortunate one. During the campaigns
of Alexander the Great, Macedonian troops and Alexander's team of scientist
learned of a huge forest of curious trees. Their fruit- a nut- was spherical
and hard enough to crack to prove a test of strength while their wood was
as rich in color and pattern as it was durable.
Alexander's men took samples back with them to Greece, introducing the walnut
into European commerce. Called "Greek nuts" in Russian, the locals point
out that walnuts should more properly be called "Kyrgyz nuts". Top
Jele-Debe. A small village near to Djety-Orguz
- unremarkable, except for the fact that it is the home of Tenti,
who has been hunting with eagles since he was 12 years old, and is
one of the few remaining master practioners of the art. Top
Jety-Oguz (“Seven Bulls”), gorge. (Photos)
About 25 km South West of Karakol is one of the most picturesque gorges.
The narrow entrance into the Gorge is formed by high red rock formations
of the most fascinating shapes.
It is famous for the thundering water falls, fancy rocks, coniferous
woods and sub-alpine and alpine meadows; it is a nature reserve.
On the bank of a turbulent river, the resort zone of Jety-Oguz is situated,
with its hot, highly mineralized healing springs, surrounded by emerald
meadows, forests of slender Tian-Shan spruces and wild rocks polished by
winds. Beautiful fir tree forests stretch out up the gorge for several kilometers.
About 5 km south of the resort, is "Valley of the flowers" opens out
which is ablaze with colour from May - when there are multitudes of poppies
- throughout early summer.
In the village there is an ancient cemetery and some barrows (burial
mounds).
Not far up the valley is the Jety Oguz sanatoria (at a height of 2,100
metres above sea level), built in 1932. Apparently there are repted to be
petroglyphs here — but no-one seems to know exactly where. There are often
yurts here which can offer accommodation.
In the valley there is the Jety Oguz State Zoological reserve.
Nearby is the village of Jele Debe — where Eagle hunting demonstrations
can be organized. Top
Jubilenaya Cavern. In the
mountains south of the Uzbek Sokh enclave, near the Tajik border.
Top
Jylgyn. The village of
Jylgyn lies in the «buffer zone» which surrounds the Sary-Chelek
Zapovednik (Biodiversity reserve) and lies 7 km from the entrance
to the park. Top
