What kind of breed is this, which in the republic is considered a national treasure and is given only to dear guests, one of whom was the Russian leader Vladimir Putin? Bolot Murataliev, co-author of the scientific work “History and revival of the Kyrgyz Taigan aboriginal dog breed” and founder of the Kyrgyz Taigan Club, spoke about its origin and how it relates to the fate of the inhabitants of the Tien Shan.
Bolot Murataliev: In 2012, my colleagues and I published an encyclopedia of the traditions of the Kyrgyz people. And in it we also highlight the Taigan as a national treasure. The history of the breed and everything related to it is practically unexplored. That’s why we decided to fill the gaps. The study of race in our research thus became an independent direction. Since 2018 we launched the “Kyrgyz Taigan” project.
It should be noted that the breed has been known to the Kyrgyz people in one form or another since ancient times. For example, in one of the archival documents, the report of the Russian Imperial Archaeological Commission of 1905, a drawing of a bronze figure of a taigan was found. He was discovered while plowing fields near the village of Lebedinovka, Pishpek district. Later, in 2008, an article was published in newspapers about the discovery of a similar figure near the village of Ken-Bulun, Issyk-Ata region. Kyrgyz archaeologist, candidate of historical sciences, Alexander Kamyshev, is convinced that this fact proves it: the Taigan were already known and lived in these places back in the 10th-12th centuries.
The Taigan is also mentioned in the works of the eastern chronicler Mahmud Kashgari. In a work created in the 10th-11th centuries, he cited the following proverb: “Taigan yugurganni tilku savmas”, which means: “The fox does not like the taigan race.”
– Yes, and in the epic “Manas”, if I’m not mistaken, several lines are dedicated to the taigan.
Bolot Murataliev: And not only. In the epic, an entire legend is dedicated to the Taigan. Manas met this dog on the way to Andijan, where he went to pick up her girlfriend and took her with him, giving her the name Kumayik. The nickname is not easy. Among the Kyrgyz it means skill and courage.
There is also an interesting legend. A hunter could not face the wolf, who acquired the habit of attacking his dogs and livestock. And then he decided to raise the snowy vulture chick as a dog. The hunter took him out of the nest and trained him in a secret place, feeding him meat and talkan, whole wheat flour. At some point, the chick turned into a magnificent dog, invulnerable, strong and intelligent. What do Manas and Kumayik have to do with this? But the fact is that in Kyrgyz the snow vulture is kumay. This is the interweaving of history and legends… By the way, hunters still call a cub from the litter Kumai or Kumayik and pay special attention to it.
– Where does the name of the breed come from?
Bolot Murataliev: There is still no consensus on the etymology of the breed name. There is even such a translation: “catch up and kill.” But this is only one of the versions, which is explained mainly by the character of the dog. Taigans served our ancestors for centuries. And the life of a person, and sometimes his entire family, often depended on his endurance, ability to hunt and protect.
There is also a saying among the people: “Taigan runs, blood flows from his ears.” It is mainly about the speed of the Kyrgyz Greyhounds. They can reach such speed chasing their prey that their hind legs brush and scratch their ears. In addition, taigans can change the trajectory of movement at an acute angle, practically without reducing their running speed. They are also capable of tirelessly pursuing their prey for several hours. And how much are his wolf fangs worth!
– Despite the important place in the life of the Kyrgyz people and the recognition of the historical status of the Taigan, very often this “historical heritage” can be seen on the street without any supervision. Because?
Bolot Murataliev: Unfortunately, a few years ago protective measures relating to taigan were excluded from the legislation. My like-minded people and I are working now to restore its special status. Additionally, work is underway to add the breed to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. Furthermore, “knowledge and skills for cultivating taigan,” by a 2021 Kyrgyz government decree, have already been included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage elements of the Kyrgyz Republic.
– Is this breed recognized by the International Canine Federation?
Bolot Murataliev: Not yet, and everything is extremely simple here: no one has professionally and decisively dealt with the registration and related issues. Now we are preparing for this procedure. Furthermore, the popularity of this breed began to grow rapidly. This was partly facilitated by the holding of the “Nomad Games”, where there were nominations such as taigan zharysh (dog races) and salbuurun (complex hunting games with birds of prey and taigans). And, of course, the videos and photographs of our beautiful greyhounds have spread throughout the world. This was enough to get both breeders and young people interested in taigans. And not only in Kyrgyzstan. But, believe it or not, just a couple of decades ago the breed was in danger of complete extinction!
– Today there is no such threat?
Bolot Murataliev: Fortunately, no. In 2019, a special census was carried out throughout the republic together with the Veterinary Inspection. And at that time, about 2,300 taigan were officially registered. It is true that there were no more than two hundred purebreds. But this is already good.
– Last year, with the participation and support of government agencies, they celebrated the international ethnofestival “Taigan Fest”. Are you planning something similar this year?
Bolot Murataliev: Of course there is such a desire. But, unfortunately, there are still no opportunities. And we call on the government, private structures and everyone who wants to support us. It’s very important.
We are also very interested in cooperating with Russian breeders, dog handlers and, of course, scientists: historians, anthropologists, archaeologists. That is, with all those who can help us not only in conservation, but also in the study of the history, development and selection of the breed.
Our colleagues from Russia have more opportunities to work in this direction and we look forward to active joint work.
– They say a dog looks like its owner. What main qualities would you highlight of the Kyrgyz greyhound?
Bolot Murataliev: This is probably calmness and generosity. But also a very harsh reaction to outside pressures.
By the way
The Taigan gained universal fame in 1983 thanks to its participation in the Moscow International Dog Show.
Five years ago, during Vladimir Putin’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, together with an Oryol horse, he was given a five-month-old Taigan puppy named Sherkhan as a sign of respect.
Meanwhile
On April 9, the exhibition-competition “Taigan: the heritage of the people” will be held at the Gapar Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts of Kyrgyzstan. Visitors will be presented with works by representatives of a wide variety of creative styles: sculptures, writers, artists. The exhibition aims to popularize the Kyrgyz hunting dog and draw public attention to the study and preservation of the breed.
