Felt-making

How it is made

Wool is beaten with rods to separate the fibers, laid in an even layer on a chiy mat, doused with boiling water, and sprinkled. The mat is rolled up, tied, and rolled—by hand, by foot, or in the past, dragged behind a horse. Due to heat, moisture, and friction, the fiber scales interlock and cannot be separated. The fabric shrinks by a third.

Why this is the work of many

Kiyiz basuu is not done alone: rolling the felt takes a long time and must be rhythmic. Neighbors gathered to help each other, and the work was collective, accompanied by songs and refreshments. This is one of the reasons why the craft is disappearing faster than the skill: skills can be recorded, but the habit of gathering together cannot.