A Turmush correspondent spoke with Talantbek Bakirov, a 62-year-old local resident.
Talantbek and his family moved to this village from the Toktogul district of the Jalal-Abad region in 2005. He is the father of three sons and two daughters, as well as the grandfather of eight grandchildren. Currently, he is engaged in various agricultural activities.
“We are in the village of Khutor, which is part of the Min-Bulak ayil aimak. This place is also known by the name Kara-Döbö. It is located 6 kilometers from the Bishkek—Kara-Balta highway and 3 kilometers from Krupskoye,” he explained, adding that the names "Khutor" and "Kara-Döbö" have their own characteristics.
Khutor is a small settlement, remote from large populated areas, consisting of several houses. With a population of 100 people and 21 households, this definition fully corresponds to this village.
As for the name “Kara-Döbö,” it is derived from the word “kara,” which means “black” or “dark,” and “döbö” — “hill.” This indicates a northern or shady elevation, which local residents describe in various ways,” he added.
According to local stories, the village was founded after the end of World War II, around 1950–1955.
“In the past, grapes were grown here, and although their presence is still felt today, since those times, Russians, Ukrainians, and other Slavic peoples have lived in the village. Today, the village is home to representatives of 11 nationalities, including about 10 Kyrgyz families,” Bakirov noted.
Near the villages of Aleksandrovka and Krupskoye, there are hills, and it is suggested that there used to be a military unit here, and this place could have served as housing for guards, which explains the name Kara-Döbö.
Currently, local residents are engaged in livestock breeding and agriculture, mainly raising dairy cows. In the absence of permanent work, they produce and sell milk, which allows them to sustain their daily lives.
The small village has its pros and cons: lit streets and access to clean drinking water, as well as the observance of traditions and rituals of each nation.
However, there is also a problem — poor roads, especially the stony ones, which raise a lot of dust in the air during the summer. The village has a mosque, but there is not a single school, and children have to walk to educational institutions in Krupskoye.
“This situation is well understood by those who have experienced rain and cold. We also plant corn, wheat, barley, and raspberries,” Talantbek added.
He expressed concern about the aging population of the village, the lack of a grocery store, and the outflow of youth to the cities, resulting in mainly elderly people remaining.
“There is no work. In the summer, we engage in fieldwork, and in the winter, we sit at home by the stove with our grandchildren. A gas pipeline runs near the village. It would be great if local authorities considered gasification and a school bus for the children. They get tired when walking — how can they receive a quality education? This issue is constantly raised but remains unresolved. We are already tired of waiting,” he shared his concerns.
