Kazakh culture

Dear all,

Today I would like to tell you about the Kazakh culture, which I have chosen to be the first ethnical background to inspire the travel collection of Altynai. 
At the moment Kazakhstan is a fast developing country; it's capital Astana, with it's science fiction-like skyline, became internationally recognised. However, personally, I would suggest any traveller to visit the country for it's nature. 

Historically Kazakhs are known to be a nomadic nation and became famous for their oral history, that was passed from generations to generation. 

Applied arts, such as ornamentation and embellishments on different materials (especially felt and leather), were a part of nomad's lifestyle.  "Clothing, furniture, utility tools, yurts, and horses’ saddles were always decorated using nomadic patterns and design." (http://www.valikhanov.si.edu/)

Unfortunately, as the country develops more, the applications of the original craftsmanship and applied arts are not as common. Therefore I would love to bring the culture's art work in the Altynai's first collection. 

Originally, I am from Kazakhstan myself, and I would like to incorporate the beautiful Kazakh ornamentation in the logo name.  

G.V. Kan suggested following classification of Kazakh ornament:

1) zoomorphic motives

2) floral motifs

3) cosmogonic motifs

4) geometric motifs

The ornament on the left, I found the most inspirational in development of the logo since it includes all the motifs stated above. 

The ornament is called: Zhuldyz-gul (Star flower).

The part of the ornament I find particularly beautiful is the one, located at the edges of the star, which is called Koshkar Muyuz (Ram's Horn). It is one of the most famous motifs in kazakh felt and leather craft. During nomadic times, rams had a significant role and represented wealth and status. Some also consider this sign to represent the tree of life. In the next post I will show you some of the logo designs that I have come up with.



There is still so much about kazakh culture to be discovered, and I hope the first collection will be able to tell the visual story of this ethnical background.

If you are still curious, check out the the following link, where you can listen to an amazing kazakh song, played with national instrument - dombra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR8bnM-GvDk
 

With love,

Altynay

Reference: 

Shvecova, A. (2007). Kazahskii Narodnyi Ornament: istoki i tradicii. Moscow: Estonsfera.

Picture Links:
Almaty city: http://www.rentalmotorbike.com/
Lake Kaindy: http://www.catinwater.com
Charyn Canyon: http://kazakhstanwonders.wordpress.com/
Big Almaty Lake: http://intellect.kz
Kazakh yurt: http://welshmattsmith.blogspot.co.uk/
Kazakh yurt inside: http://lynfuchs.blogspot.co.uk/
Torsyk: http://art-kaz.kz/