Kyrgyz Republic. New Silver Proof and Colour Coin Focuses on Ancient Family Tradition

The collector programme, launched last year, the aim of the series is to promote the history and culture of Kyrgyzstan, preserve national customs as well as reviving the ancient traditions of the Kyrgyz people.

For 2025, the topic highlighted is Tushoо Kesuu, one of the most ancient Kyrgyz family traditions that has survived to this day. Tushoo kesuu is carried out when a child turns one year old, and starts taking their first steps. Since ancient times, it was believed that parents must conduct this ceremony so that the child stands firmly on its feet and to ensure a happy, independent future. The translation of the ceremony Tushoo Kesuu can be interpreted as cutting the ties between parent and child, essential for them to stand firmly on their feet and enter adulthood.

Parents prepare a special rope of black and white felt, intertwined with each other and the toddler’s ankles are tied together with this rope. A race is arranged to include teenagers in the village and the winner who reaches the child is declared the winner. They are given a special knife to cut the ropes on the baby's ankles, they take the child by the hands and help to ceremoniously take the first steps into their future, which is referred to as tai-tayloo.

Often, there are several races and participants are divided into three categories of young women, men, and older children. Each guest receives a gift from the parents and a big feast is organised with superb spreads of food. Parents also prepare for this ceremony well in advance, inviting close relatives, villagers and friends who bring gifts specifically for the child.

The obverse side of the proof quality coins depicts a small child with the ankle cords already cut, his Father and Mother are shown to the upper left watching their child take his first steps with the coins’ specifications Ag 925 and 28.28 g placed unter the couple. A group of racing teenagers are shown on the upper right with applied colour. A yurt tent is also depicted above the child and above the primary design is the text ТУШОО КЕСҮҮ shown in stylised writing. The denomination 10 SOM is shown to the lower right and also in the same matched style of writing. The reverse of the coin depicts the coat of arms of the Kyrgyz Republic surrounded by the design of a twisted rope in reference to the cord used to bind the child’s ankles and traditional Kyrgyz patterns. Just below the crest is the year of issue, 2025 and above the primary design along the upper rim is the text Кыргыз үрп-адаттары жана ырым-жырымдары (Kyrgyz customs and rituals)

Available from the 8th December, the coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the retail webpage of the Kyrgyz National Bank.