Tea traditions.
1 January 2024
The Kyrgyz people are very hospitable people and the traditions of feasting are not an empty phrase for them. However, I had to get used to some of them, overcoming the questions: “Why do this?” - I asked myself
When you find yourself in a Kyrgyz home, you will definitely be invited to tea. In the Kyrgyz understanding, tea is a table filled with various dishes, where you can find everything: from sweets and sausages, salads, fruits and nuts to a hot dish. This is how you drink tea!
When the tea is poured for you, you will notice that the bowl is only a third full. This amount is obviously not going to quench my thirst you might think, but I hope you’ll politely remain silent.
The fact is that pouring a full bowl of tea in Kyrgyzstan is considered disrespectful. The tea will cool down while you drink it and the last sips will not be warm, but already cool. A hospitable hostess cannot afford this. Therefore, your bowl will be refreshed with new hot tea as soon as you finish drinking the previous portion.
Young people often joke among themselves and say: “Pour without respect!”
By the way, I have already gotten used to this tradition and drink tea from a bowl at home, pouring it in small portions.
When you find yourself in a Kyrgyz home, you will definitely be invited to tea. In the Kyrgyz understanding, tea is a table filled with various dishes, where you can find everything: from sweets and sausages, salads, fruits and nuts to a hot dish. This is how you drink tea!
When the tea is poured for you, you will notice that the bowl is only a third full. This amount is obviously not going to quench my thirst you might think, but I hope you’ll politely remain silent.
The fact is that pouring a full bowl of tea in Kyrgyzstan is considered disrespectful. The tea will cool down while you drink it and the last sips will not be warm, but already cool. A hospitable hostess cannot afford this. Therefore, your bowl will be refreshed with new hot tea as soon as you finish drinking the previous portion.
Young people often joke among themselves and say: “Pour without respect!”
By the way, I have already gotten used to this tradition and drink tea from a bowl at home, pouring it in small portions.
You can learn even more interesting facts about Kyrgyzstan on my blog or on my YouTube channel.
author:
Larisa Bulina
Larisa Bulina
The traveler,
the founder of SARYKYZ
the founder of SARYKYZ
photo:
Abylai Saralaev
Abylai Saralaev