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Жайлоо
Jailoo [ʒaıloː] is a high mountain summer pasture in Kirgistan where farmers spend the summer months with their cattle and horses. At Song Kul Lake sometimes whole families, sometimes only a few people live in classic jurts at an altitude of 3000m.

Anara has spent her summers on the jailoo for many years. Her parents, almost 70, stay a bit further up the lake. Like many others she offers accommodation to hikers to have an extra revenue.

Almazbek (73) and Gülsaira (67) come from the district centre Kochkor and stay at the Song Kul with their whole family. They have 4 big yurts, a cold water shower and a volleyball net. Earlier in his life Almazbek visited several former Soviet Republics and East-Germany.

Aylin (14) loves horses and is a good rider. She would like to participate in the horse games which are so far reserved for men only.

Gulmira spends May-September on the jailoo. She worked as a cook in a students' cantine in Baltchyk. That is why she is not too keen on cooking any more. At almost 50 she already retired since the inhabitants of the alpine districts benefit from early retirement and additional pay.

Hochubek and Djarkin live in the beautiful Charcha valley at the riverside. Their younger daughters Jazelle (7) and Jildiz (12) love playing around the jailoo, the older one has just come from Moscow for a visit. Hochubek earns his living by helping other farmes. During our visit he was looking for five young bulls that had gone missing.

Adil (20) studies at the German-Kirgiz Technical Institute in Bischkek. In summer he works as a mountain guide. He would like to go to Europe for a summer school next year.

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P. a. m. Photography

Petra Dachtler

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P. a. m. Photography

Petra Dachtler

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