In this episode of Modern Nomads, we dive deep into the world of Kazakh jewellery, uncovering its hidden gems. We explore how contemporary jewellers strike a brilliant balance between traditional ornaments and modern fashion trends, transforming their artistry into a thriving business.
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00:00Kazakh jewelry is deeply rooted in nomadic culture.
00:07Today, Kazakh designers are reimagining this ancient craft to create stunning pieces of wearable art.
00:17Kazakh jewelry tells a story of tradition, spirituality and identity.
00:21A legacy that's taken centuries to shape.
00:24Welcome to Modern Nomads.
00:30We can trace the origin of Kazakh jewelry back to the Stone Age.
00:34Since then, it has not only been worn decoratively by both the men and women of nomadic tribes,
00:40but it has also served as a symbol of their social, economic and spiritual status.
00:47The National Museum in the country's capital Astana is home to some of the finest examples of these rich traditions.
01:00There is no such thing as a family heirloom.
01:04It was a gift from our ancestors.
01:07That's why it's so valuable.
01:09It's a gift from our ancestors.
01:12It's a gift from our ancestors.
01:14It's a gift from our ancestors.
01:17It's a gift from our ancestors.
01:21But such timeless pieces are more than just relics of the past.
01:25They're the foundation for a new wave of Kazakh jewelry design.
01:29And artisans have refined their art, merging traditional and state-of-the-art techniques
01:34to create jewelry that is both exquisite and practical.
01:38Berik Alibay is one of them.
01:40His family carried the unique craftsmanship of the Kazakh step through the ages,
01:44passing their knowledge from one generation to the next.
01:47Berik has created a house museum where his collections unfold the story of his artistry.
01:54Art is a very good thing.
01:58It's a very good thing.
02:00When we look at art, we think,
02:02there's a lot of art,
02:04there's a lot of art in our country.
02:07But art is a very good thing.
02:09It's a very good thing.
02:11It's a language.
02:14The language of your father and mother is passed down to your children.
02:20Art is a part of our culture.
02:25It's a part of our culture.
02:27It's a part of our culture.
02:29It's a part of our culture.
02:34I saw this piece in a painting.
02:37Wow! It looks so easy.
02:40How long did it take you to learn this?
02:43I think it took me my whole life.
02:51Kazakhstan is bringing its unique jewelry traditions back to life,
02:55turning them into a thriving ethno-business.
02:58Jewelry houses are crafting new collections that blend heritage with modern elegance,
03:03attracting growing interest both locally and internationally.
03:06Marjan Karim has been helping customers to find their style for over five years.
03:12We have a lot of inquiries about our designs.
03:18When we first launched our campaign,
03:21our customers were interested in our designs,
03:24but now they are interested in our everyday designs.
03:35While many ancient nomadic crafts are fading away as the younger generation
03:39turn their backs on these timeless skills,
03:42jewelry is thriving.
03:45A vibrant new wave of jewelries are bringing both tradition
03:50and consumable charm to their designs.
03:53One of them is Miroir Torumbek,
03:56who embeds traditional motifs into new materials.
03:59She has created timeless ceramic collections
04:02ranging from minimalistic everyday pieces
04:05to bold statement designs for special occasions.
04:08I wanted to create something unique
04:12that wasn't made there before.
04:15The idea was to spread my love to my culture, to Kazakhstan,
04:21and speak out loudly about our cultural identity.
04:25Kazakhs use ornaments as a sacred part of their life,
04:30and we represent it in our jewelry in a so bright and modern way.
04:38Our young generation, girls and women, want to show their identity.
04:44These intricate designs rooted in the vast steppe, nature and nomadic heritage
04:49have shaped Kazakh aesthetics from the past to modern days
04:53and are now capturing the world's attention.