LOCAL PARTNER: Karakol Valley Council
Milk is a connective element between spiritual and everyday life for indigenous peoples
This initiative aims to restore the role of milk and its production in the traditions and daily life of Altaians and their relatives, the Telengits, Tubalars, Kazakhs, Chelkans, and Kumandins. The initiative will document the methods and recipes for preparing milk-based foods. The goal of the initiative is to strengthen the knowledge and practices needed to prepare these people’s national cuisines (specifically, milk-based foods).
In undertaking this initiative, we tried to remind our people that milk is not just a food source but a way of life that observes traditions, is a means of preserving our culture, and an aspect of self-identity. In other words, we encouraged interest in Altaian culture and stimulated work to renew traditional values. The initiative highlights the value of milk as an irreplaceable natural food product and a critical element in a variety of rituals, including offerings to the Spirits. We also paid attention to the etiquette of handling milk and dairy products and their role in folklore
