Empowering Kyrgyz Women Through Storytelling and Entrepreneurship
In the summer of 2022, our team from the Nazarbayev University Research Centre for Entrepreneurship (NURCE) embarked on an enlightening journey to Kyrgyzstan. Our goal was to delve deep into the lives of women entrepreneurs thriving in the community-based tourism sector. These remarkable women not only manage yurt camps at Son-Kul Lake but also sustain their families and communities by intertwining traditional nomadic practices with hospitality.
A Blend of Tradition and Tourism
At Son-Kul Lake, women run yurt camps while managing livestock and converting milk into long-life products—an essential practice for surviving harsh winters. These entrepreneurial activities are not merely economic ventures; they are woven into the fabric of their cultural identity. By hosting tourists, these women offer authentic experiences that directly benefit them economically, thereby enhancing their community's living standards and education.
The Artistic Heart: Shyrdak Making
Our fieldwork also took us to local felt cooperatives where women meticulously craft shyrdaks, traditional Kyrgyz rugs. More than just home decor, these rugs are emblematic of Kyrgyz heritage, embodying the skills, diversity, and stories of the artisans. The creation of shyrdaks serves as an act of feminist solidarity, uniting women in preserving and transmitting their cultural heritage to future generations.
From Fieldwork to Publication
Insights gathered from over 40 interviews were distilled into the narrative-rich book Together We Have It All, which highlights the synergy between community-based tourism (CBT) and women’s empowerment. This book not only recounts their entrepreneurial ventures but also celebrates the spirit and resilience of these women, positioning them as central figures in their own narratives.
Recognizing the importance of sharing these stories with the communities from which they originated, we organized book launches and photo exhibitions not only at academic venues but also directly in villages and yurt camps. These transformative events provided the women with a platform to showcase their achievements to their families and communities, instilling immense pride and joy.
Celebrating Stories in the Community
This project exemplifies NURCE's commitment to ensuring that our research endeavors extend beyond data collection by giving back to our participants. The pop-up exhibitions and community-centric book launches highlighted the practical impact of our work, emphasizing that storytelling and visual ethnography are powerful tools for community engagement and empowerment.
