“I was born in 1956 in the village of Ak-Döbö to a family of German settlers. My parents were well-off, and our ancestors moved to Kyrgyzstan. As a child, I played a lot with Kyrgyz children. We spoke German at home, and I learned Kyrgyz during our games outside. I became one of the first German women to become a bride in a Kyrgyz family. My first day in my new life is a memory that has stayed with me,” she recalls.
Her husband was Janbolot Uzekeev, who has since passed away.
“Janbolot and I lived nearby. One day, a friend invited me to the movies, but instead, I ended up at his uncle's house in Namatbek, where a full house of people awaited me. My friend said that Janbolot was in love with me. I disappeared for a whole five days, and my parents were very worried. They even contacted the police. When they managed to find out where I was, they sent a delegation from the local authorities and elders. I was hiding in a closet when my father came to look for me. He got very angry and threatened to drown me in the canal for the shame. I declared that I would not return home, as I intended to marry Janbolot. This made my father even angrier, and he declared that he no longer had a daughter. The police advised me to write that I was here of my own free will, and I agreed, explaining that I loved Janbolot. However, my father still took me home, and I faced a conflict between Germans and Kyrgyz. He did not approve of our marriage. Eventually, Janbolot's parents came to us, talked to my parents, and took me away. In 1973, I married the eldest son in a Kyrgyz family. My parents did not speak to me for a whole year, and I did not visit them. In the Kyrgyz family, I was welcomed with open arms; my mother-in-law was kind and never reproached me. I was hardworking and taught myself how to make boorsok. A year later, my parents visited us and said, ‘The main thing is that you are happy.’ They bought us two houses since my husband was the eldest son (in Kyrgyz families, the parental home is left to the youngest). My father forgave me,” Erna shared.
She added that after her marriage, she accepted Islam and changed her surname to Uzekeeva.
“My new surname is Uzekeeva, and Janbolot was born on May 8, 1950, while I was born on April 8. He was calm and reserved, while I am active and lively. We were happy in our marriage and raised six children. Unfortunately, my husband passed away, and my parents moved to Germany in 1995. I fly to see them every year. I told all my children to marry Kyrgyz people, and they did,” she noted.
Gallery: The German girl Erna Miller who became a bride to a Kyrgyz
Erna emphasized that she does not consider herself German.
“I am Kyrgyz. I grew up and spent my whole life among Kyrgyz people, so much so that I do not feel like a German. I know Kyrgyz traditions better than some Kyrgyzstanis. Neighbors often come to me for advice. By nature, I am not like typical Germans. I like the hospitality and willingness to help of Kyrgyz people, and I am like that too. My husband’s relatives regularly visit us; they love my külchötay very much,” she explained.
Erna shared that she does not like to be idle and spends her free time sewing, including patchwork techniques.
“I have orders for products that cost from 300 to 1000 soms. My relatives from Germany will come in the summer, and I also plan to go to them. I have one daughter in Germany and another in America, and I often visit them. Now I live with my son and daughter-in-law, expecting a grandson,” she added.
Erna's neighbor, Saadat apa, shared her opinion about her:
“I have lived next to Erna for 42 years. She is a wonderful woman: cheerful and open. No one would say she is German. She is one of the best brides, knows Kyrgyz traditions well, and is always hospitable. Many turn to her for advice because she is wise. Unfortunately, her husband passed away early, and she raised the children alone,” she said.
