13:00, 06 сентября 2020, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Gulmira Makanbai kyzy
An American Noah Bratcher arrived in Kyrgyzstan in July 2019 through the Peace Corps program. He did not stay in the country for a long time: the volunteer had to leave the Kyrgyz Republic in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But Noah learned the Kyrgyz language in a short time and became imbued with the culture of the nomadic people.
— Noah, what did you do in Kyrgyzstan?
— I worked as an English teacher at a school in Kyrgyz-Chek village of Kara-Suu district, Osh region. I lived in a Kyrgyz family. My Kyrgyz mother is a teacher; my Kyrgyz father is a Professor at the Osh State University. I also have a grandmother, a grandfather and brothers.
Unfortunately, I had to leave. Now I live in California, in Eureka city. It is located near the Pacific Ocean.
— How did you know about our country?
— Three years ago, I was in Kashgar and Kyzyl-Suu autonomous regions of China. Many Kyrgyz live there. I got interested in Central Asia and Kyrgyzstan. I decided to come to this country through a special program.
— When I arrived, a table was specially set for me, a sheep was slaughtered, and as an honored guest, I was handed an eye and said to eat it. I was slightly shocked, but it was interesting.
— What disappointed you?
— Kyrgyzstan is a very beautiful country.
It saddens me that there is a lot of garbage on the streets and in outdoor recreation areas.
Noah Bratcher
I lived near Osh city, so I often climbed Sulaiman-Too Mountain. This mountain is considered a national treasure, and it is very valuable and significant for the Kyrgyz and all the Muslims. Therefore, seeing graffiti and garbage on this mountain, I was upset.
— How did you get the idea to make an electric komuz and who taught you to play it?
— When I came to work at the innovative school-gymnasium No. 87 named after Sydyk Alaichy uulu, its director Altymysh Topchubaev presented me with his komuz. I play electronic guitar. Therefore, I began to search the Internet for an electric komuz, but did not find it and decided to make it myself. My grandfather is a carpenter. Therefore, he helped me with this.
My komuz teacher was Mamat Madazimov. His father Bolush Madazimov was a famous komuz player.
— Yes, and I miss it very much, especially the national dishes. I lived in the south of Kyrgyzstan and every day I ate very well: plov, large samsa, shashlyk. Daughter-in-law in my Kyrgyz family cooked very tasty food. Unfortunately, coronavirus came to Kyrgyzstan before I tried kumyz. I will definitely come and try.
— What are your plans for the future?
— I planned to live and work in Kyrgyzstan. Coronavirus has changed my plans. There is a lot of work left.
I am looking forward to returning to Kyrgyzstan to teach children to speak English. I myself want to learn to play Mash Botoi melody.
Noah Bratcher
Upon my return, I also plan to develop a project to clean up the territory of Sulaiman-Too Mountain.