Sharshekan Etbekova from the city of Karakol in the Issyk-Kul region sews Kyrgyz women's headwear.
For young girls, she makes үкү топу (caps with owl feathers), and for adult women, she creates ак элечек.
Sharshekan was born on September 9, 1953, in the village of Kerege-Tash in the Ak-Suu district. She graduated from school in 1970 and then studied to become an accountant in the city of Karakol. She worked in her profession and later as a cashier. Together with her husband, she raised 5 children.
“When I retired, I got into creativity and handicrafts: I started singing in the group ‘Shayir apalar’. At first, I began sewing элечек for the participants of this group. Before that, I had my own элечек that I bought. Later, I unpicked it and sewed it again. Since then, I have been sewing элечек,” she shared.
Etbekova noted that the элечек she sews are sold in Bishkek, Naryn, and Osh.
“I sew элечек according to modern requirements. I have 6-7 types. Previously, as you know, women who became mothers wore элечек made of 15-30 meters of white fabric. So much material was used so that if the fabric was needed for the newborn, it could be used. Now, however, элечек are made lighter, using only 3 meters of fabric. I also use felt in the production. Traditionally, элечек is made from white material. Back then, white was considered the color of motherhood. Now, элечек quickly gets dirty due to the makeup that women apply to their faces. I sew in such a way that the shape does not get ruined during washing. The элечек can be washed in a washing machine for 20-30 minutes. After washing, the элечек usually regains its shade — for this, I use chiffon,” she said.
The artisan also sews headwear such as үкү топу and кеп такыя (a round cap with a side flap, over which a scarf or turban made of thin white fabric is worn).
“Some add paper when making элечек and үкү топу. I believe this is disrespectful to national headwear. For my part, I do not add paper,” she noted.
Sharshekan sells элечек for 2500 soms, үкү топу for 600-1000 soms, and кеп такыя for 500-1000 soms.
She is also currently making soap.
“I took special courses. I add various herbs and beneficial substances to the soap. I make it without chemicals. I also make household soap for washing,” added Sh. Etbekova.
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