Here, many blacksmiths work, creating a variety of goods necessary for everyday life. Among them are true veterans who have been working in this field for nearly half a century. One such master is Rustam Turgunov.
“We produce tools needed in agriculture. The main focus is on hoes, shovels, axes, and other tools. Right now, I am fulfilling an order from Batken for 200 units,” he shares.
This craft has been passed down to Rustam from his father and has a history spanning four generations. He assures that his sons will continue the traditions, as products made by human hands have always been valued.
“Our craftsmanship has roots in history, going back about 2000 years. My father, his father, and my great-grandfather were also blacksmiths. There is no information about earlier ancestors — it wasn’t specified whether they did the same,” Turgunov recounts.
According to the master, he produces all possible items — from horseshoes to agricultural tools. Many clients place special orders for his products.
“I mainly make horse harnesses. In our assortment, we have pruners for trimming tree branches, combs for combing hay, knives for cutting excess growth on hooves, and other products,” he said.
The demand for the horseshoes made by Turgunov is high. Often, people come specifically from Bishkek to buy them. Additionally, orders are made by citizens of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan — because the quality of this master’s horseshoes is very good.
“There is a high demand for my horseshoes. Right now, I am fulfilling orders from Bishkek. Sometimes, they are taken through Bishkek to Kazakhstan and to the Andijan region of Uzbekistan. Horseshoes don’t have a ‘sales season.’ Now, there are more horses in Kyrgyzstan, and our horseshoes are bought year-round,” the master said.
Before making a product, they assess the quality of the metal. If an item is made from poor metal, it won’t last long. Therefore, blacksmiths use the strongest metal parts and make various products from them.
“We make horseshoes from rebar brought from Russia — it is very high quality and doesn’t break easily. Other products are made from parts of heavy trucks produced in the USSR. In Soviet times, truck parts were made from very strong metal,” he noted.
Ruslan sadly mentions that recently, fewer people are willing to continue the craft that has been passed down through generations. Although he teaches his son his trade, the master admits that “the future of the craft remains uncertain.”
Over 40 years, he has trained more than 20 students, and some of them have already opened their own workshops and work independently.
“I am currently teaching this craft to my son. But overall, young people often leave to work abroad, so there are fewer who follow this path. Yet this work is beneficial for health: you become physically stronger and are constantly on the move,” he said.
The 54-year-old master earns from 2,000 to 4,000 soms a day. He notes that “the ‘bread’ of blacksmithing is sweet, and on days when he works non-stop and produces a lot, the income can be twice the stated amount.”
“If you work patiently and are grateful, God will also provide. On average, we earn 2,000–4,000 soms a day. We rest twice a week; otherwise, we get tired. So, rest is definitely needed. And if you work hard, without breaks, there are days when you earn 6,000–8,000,” the master said.
Rustam Turgunov is married and raises four children: three daughters and one son.
