Eating Customs in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan's eating customs include covering the table with a white cloth called a "dostorkon" (may be a table or the floor). A loud "omin" is used to express gratitude to God at the conclusion of a meal. A dostorkon is primarily used during picnics. On the dostorkon, people are expected to sit with their feet either at their sides or outward. Use your right hand alone to handle the food. That is one of the lists of Kyrgyzstan culture, customs, and etiquette. At the conclusion of the meal, raise your two hands to your face, dragging them down as if washing them, and say the Muslim "amen," "omin." Except in devout Muslim households, dining often entails drinking. When alcohol is offered, attendees are expected to consume it. Don't imagine you can limit your drinking since once you start, it can be challenging to say no to more.
The Kyrgyz people believe that bread is sacred and that it should never be left on the ground or turned upside down. Never wasted, the leftovers are fed to the animals. Wait until the host welcomes you to the table before beginning to devour the food. Allow the oldest or most esteemed guests to sample the dish first. Most of the time, hosts merely offer you something to drink without asking if you'd like it. A brief prayer might be offered after a meal. This praises the forefathers and is taken from the Qur'an. Everyone at the table covers their faces and says "omen" as the hands are held out with the palms facing up. Kyrgyzstan says it is a sin:
- To leave your food on the table untouched;
- To eat food while standing;
- To treat any food scornfully.
After you are seated, dining etiquette is fairly flexible, and a Kyrgyz person is unlikely to take offense to your improper eating habits. You might find that the host will serve everyone once the food is presented; there may be several courses, so try not to overindulge. Unfortunately, this entails that you must consume the food that is offered to you, which as a guest of honor can include a sheep head. You'll probably also be served kymyz, which is a mare's milk, especially if you visit in the summer months.
If you discover there are utensils (cutlery) available, use them any way you like, but ideally in the continental style (knife in the right hand, fork in the left). You will be expected to eat with your hand on other occasions, so only use your right hand when doing so. Your dinner will also include flatbread, which must be consumed in its whole and put straight on the table when not being consumed. Once more, use your right hand to eat your bread. Probably when the meal is over, you'll be given tea. Be sure to participate in this neighborhood classic and mingle to end the dinner.
For guests, there are certain sitting arrangements. Typically, the oldest person or special guest is invited to take a seat at the head of the table, or "tyor," as it is known in Kyrgyz (the seat most distant from the door). In order to serve as "waiters," young folks or hostesses sit near the door. They carry and remove the dishes, make the tea, and perform other tasks. In general, you work more when you're younger. When visiting someone, bring some treats or mementos for the kids.
