Gulbara, born in 1961 in the village of Kyzyl-Suu, enrolled in a medical college in Przhevalsk (now Karakol) after finishing high school, graduating with honors in 1982. She worked as a nurse for 17 years.
In 1996, Gulbara moved to her husband's native village, Jenish, where she engaged in agriculture. Since the early 2000s, when guest houses began to open in the village, she started her career in tourism. Over time, she began to host tourists herself and organize master classes for them.
According to Gulbara, her activities with tourists began thanks to a house built by an ethnic German who now lives in Switzerland. "He suggested that we start receiving tourists. Previously, he sent his friends and relatives here, sometimes coming himself with foreign guests. Now many already know about us and come to relax. We underwent training under a tourist reception program and work according to it," she shares.
Gulbara demonstrates Kyrgyz customs, handmade products, and the features of national cuisine to her guests. "In my childhood, I often spent time with my grandmother, who taught me how to work with felt, create ornaments, sew shyrdaks, and also weave and process chiy. This knowledge became the basis for my master classes. Foreigners are very interested in Kyrgyz products; many want to try to create something with their own hands," she recounts.
Gulbara also notes that tourists enjoy watching the process of preparing traditional Kyrgyz dishes. "We show how national food is prepared. Among the guests, there are vegetarians—we cook according to their requests, using local products. I love to cook myself," she adds.
Gulbara is a member of the district's tourist community and collaborates with other artisans to create souvenirs and products for tourists. She also teaches guests how to set up and dismantle a yurt, explaining the structure and significance of its components.
Felt products, such as panels, shyrdaks, and ala kiyiz, range from 200 to 50,000 soms depending on their size and complexity. Tourists from different countries choose various products: some prefer natural ones, while others opt for bright ones with patterns.
"Our guests come from France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, and even India. The largest number of tourists is from Germany," Gulbara notes.
Foreigners also show interest in traditional Kyrgyz clothing. At the request of guests, Gulbara demonstrates how to properly wrap an elechek and explains its significance.
Additionally, artisans create ethnic panels and decorative elements for cafes and restaurants in Karakol.
Gulbara and her husband are raising three sons and one daughter and are now grandparents to 17 grandchildren. "Kyrgyz craftsmanship is a valuable heritage that is passed down from mother to daughter. I want to pass all my knowledge to my younger daughter-in-law so that she continues my work," she emphasizes.
Gallery: Gulbara Shadakova from the village of Jenish.
