︎ Baiboosun

The Legend of Baiboosun Kamak

Baiboosun

Nature Reserve Kyrgyzstan

The Legend of Baiboosun Kamak

︎ Audio interview

Interview with Baatyrbek Akmatov, Director of Baiboosun Nature Reserve

Transcript

Baatyrbek Akmatov explains the legendary place called Baiboosun Kamak. ‘Kamak,’ in Kyrgyz language, means enclosure.

The story starts in 1916, when a battle between the Kyrgyz people and the army of the Russian empire took place in the country. Masses of locals fled to China, to escape the atrocities the Russian army were inflicting on the Kyrgyz population. These ancestors were forced to seek refuge in this neighboring country, with no choice but to leave their cattle behind in the surrounding mountain enclosures (kamaks).

Baiboosun was one of these people. As many left the villages, Baiboosun brought his herd of horses into the enclosure, and then left for China with his family. After being there for some time, the revolution of October started and the Kyrgyz people were slowly able to start returning home. Power had changed hands, and calm was once again restored to the territories.

︎ Audio interview

Interview with Baatyrbek Akmatov, Director of Baiboosun Nature Reserve

Transcript

Baatyrbek Akmatov explains the legendary place called Baiboosun Kamak. ‘Kamak,’ in Kyrgyz language, means enclosure.

The story starts in 1916, when a battle between the Kyrgyz people and the army of the Russian empire took place in the country. Masses of locals fled to China, to escape the atrocities the Russian army were inflicting on the Kyrgyz population. These ancestors were forced to seek refuge in this neighboring country, with no choice but to leave their cattle behind in the surrounding mountain enclosures (kamaks).

Baiboosun was one of these people. As many left the villages, Baiboosun brought his herd of horses into the enclosure, and then left for China with his family. After being there for some time, the revolution of October started and the Kyrgyz people were slowly able to start returning home. Power had changed hands, and calm was once again restored to the territories.

Therefore, Baiboosun was able to return to his village. Not sure what he would find upon his return, he was amazed to find his herd of horses had survived. New foals had been born, to compensate for the losses of the adult horses that had died.

Since then, the legend of Baiboosun has been known to all local people in these mountains. Our nature reserve, Baiboosun Kamak, has been named after him, as this secret place to be known only to God. We want our small wildlife reserve to also be safe and unreachable to poachers: a place where nature can live harmoniously, and not be disturbed. Our intention is to protect endangered species and ensure their preservation for the future generations.

References:

Audio recorded on the 14th of November 2022. At Kok Say, Kyrgyzstan. Interview of Baatyrbek Akmatov by Luciano Foglia. Translation from Kyrgyz Language by Kudaibergen Tolubai uulu.

Therefore, Baiboosun was able to return to his village. Not sure what he would find upon his return, he was amazed to find his herd of horses had survived. New foals had been born, to compensate for the losses of the adult horses that had died.

Since then, the legend of Baiboosun has been known to all local people in these mountains. Our nature reserve, Baiboosun Kamak, has been named after him, as this secret place to be known only to God. We want our small wildlife reserve to also be safe and unreachable to poachers: a place where nature can live harmoniously, and not be disturbed. Our intention is to protect endangered species and ensure their preservation for the future generations.

References:

Audio recorded on the 14th of November 2022. At Kok Say, Kyrgyzstan. Interview of Baatyrbek Akmatov by Luciano Foglia. Translation from Kyrgyz Language by Kudaibergen Tolubai uulu.

︎ Be a part of Baiboosun

At Baiboosun nature reserve we believe that wildlife should be a priority for everyone. Partner with us to save the snow leopards and the many other species here from extinction.

Public fund 193853-3302-OF ©2023 Luciano Foglia

Stand up for nature

︎ Be a part of Baiboosun

At Baiboosun nature reserve we believe that wildlife should be a priority for everyone. Partner with us to save the snow leopards and the many other species here from extinction.

Public fund 193853-3302-OF ©2023 Luciano Foglia

︎There’s no true sustainability without wildlife

Spread the word and follow us on

︎There’s no true sustainability without wildlife

Follow us on