Olcobay KARATAYEV

It is well known that the ethnonym "Kyrgyz" is wide spread in Eurasia. It is often found as an ethnonym in toponyms and in hydronyms. This means that the Kyrgyz migrated for a long time, especially in the Middle Ages, because they led a nomadic life. During their migrations they went through the process of assimilation, cross-breeding and ethno-cultural relationships, which made significant contributions to the historical and cultural aspects of many other nations. Thus Fuyu Kyrgyz is one of the products of many centuries and migrations. In academic circles, this compact nationality residing in the county Fuyu (Heyluntszyan Province, China) is known as "Fu-yu" or "Fuyui”. Its number does not exceed 1500. Fuyu Kyrgyz call themselves only as "Kyrgyz", "hergez" or "tirtiz”. Anthropologically Fuyu Kyrgyz - unlike neighboring Manchurians, Mongols, Daurs and Evenks – has Caucasian features. But among them there are also fair-skinned Kyrgyz with scarlet or light chestnut hair (brown-haired). The economic life of Fuyu Kyrgyz is primarily based on pastoralists. Science has proved that the Kyrgyz Fuyu language belongs to the Turkic language branch and it has common roots with modern Khakas and Shor languages. Apart from that it is very similar to the languages and SaryUgu and Lobnorians. It is known that Kyrgyz Fuyucounty divided into six groups: Tabkhyn, Tabyndyr, Chygdyr, Sandyrdyr, Byltyrdy, Orttyr or Kergester (Kyrgyz). Initially, the relocation of the Yenisei Kyrgyz to the recent territory of Mongolia, Manchuria began during the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan. During the civil war of the Chinggisids (Central Asian Haidu Khan and Kublai Khan from China), in a bloody fight in the vast Karakorum Kyrgyz were on both sides. According to traditional views, economy of the Fuyu Kyrgyz was cattle breeding. They kept horses, sheep and cows. They were also engaged in hunting, which was carried on horseback accompanied by dogs. It is known by oral tradition that they grew grain, and Fuyu Kyrgyz used steel in the mid XIX th century. Housing of the Fuyu Kyrgyz was yurt in the past, but during the first half of the XIX th century they began to settle in buildings. In the past, Fuyu Kyrgyz wore loose clothing with long sleeves and belt. Women wore clothes with floral embroidery. Both men and women wore a hat made of white material that protected from mosquitoes in summer, and in winter they wore fur hat made of lambs. Wealthy members of the Kyrgyz society wore fox hats. Winter wardrobe consisted mainly of leather clothing, mainly made of sheepskin, while rich Kyrgyz wore fox fur. Traditional musical instruments, were apparently similar to Khakashomysu(stringed instrument) and Hobro (looks like Flute.

Keywords: County Fu-yu, Kyrgyz, Peoples Republic of China, traditional culture, Yenisei Kyrgyz