Handicrafts

Handicrafts – harnesses, felt mats (tekemets), articles made of wood, bone and metal – are lavishly decorated. Headdresses, dresses, bags and saddle-cloths are beautifully embroidered. They use traditional designs and carvings to make and decorate the wooden cups, large bowls and ladles used to serve for kumys (fermented mare's milk).

The horns of mountain rams and goats are used to decorate beds and caskets. Leather is used to make quivers, belts, harnesses and flasks (torsyks) for water and kumнs Kazakh artisans are also very skillful jewelers.

Steppe zergers (jewellers) favour white silver. Traditional Kazakh bell-shaped earrings, original bracelets (bilezik), or the traditional bracelet linked to three rings by fine chains will certainly attract you.