On
March 31, 2021 the State Service of Digital Development under the Government of
the Kyrgyz Republic puts into circulation a Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamp:
“Bird of the Year (III). The Bearded Vulture”.
The Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is a large bird of prey with a
distinctive appearance: it has a bunch of black feathers under its beak, which
forms a kind of “beard”. This bird belongs to the family Accipitridae.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Bearded vulture is found mainly in open, rocky, mountainous
areas, at altitudes of 2,000 to 4,500 m above sea level. This bird lives at one
of the highest altitudes of any bird of prey.
Jewelry has always played an important role in the cultures of various nations. Besides its aesthetic function, jewelry has also had a special meaning in the realm of the spiritual and the ethereal.
A tumar is a traditional Kyrgyz chest adornment, which had an important sacred significance. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it also played the role of talisman. In Arabic, the word “tumar” means prayer. Tumar is typically a triangular amulet with numerous suspensions at the bottom. Usually, a tumar is worn on top of beads.
A dukach is a traditional ornamental pendant of Ukrainian women. Its name comes from the word “ducat” – a prestigious and widely accepted coin of the ancient world. The Ukrainian dukach is a medal-shaped ornament with a metal bow or crown, decorated with gemstones. The dukach played an important role in Ukrainian families and it was carefully preserved and inherited by daughters from their mothers.