Türkiye Celebrates 110th Anniversary of Rakhmankul Khan, Leader of the Pamir Kyrgyz
Ethnic Kyrgyz in Türkiye have commemorated the 110th anniversary of Rakhmankul Khan, a prominent leader of the Pamir Kyrgyz. The celebrations are centered in the village of Uluu-Pamir, where many Kyrgyz people live in the Van Province.
To mark this occasion, various activities were organized, including competitions in traditional Kyrgyz sports and demonstrations of kok-boru games, a popular equestrian game in Kyrgyz culture. A concert program was also held, showcasing Kyrgyz music and dance.
Additionally, a scientific conference was conducted with Turkish and Kyrgyz scholars discussing the historical significance of Rakhmankul Khan and his contributions to Kyrgyz history. The event highlighted the impact of his leadership on the Kyrgyz community.
On July 27, several notable figures visited Uluu-Pamir, including Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY, Altynbek Ergeshov, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Naryn Region, and Ruslan Kazakbaev, the Kyrgyz Ambassador to Türkiye.
It is worth remembering that in 1982, Türkiye offered asylum to approximately 1,200 Afghan Kyrgyz led by Rakhmankul Khan. They settled near Lake Van in southeastern Türkiye, founding the village of Uluu-Pamir. Today, about 2,500 Kyrgyz reside in the village, with over 5,000 Van Kyrgyz living across Türkiye.
