A living world, born from folk wisdom and sustained by timeless values.

Each character draws inspiration from Kyrgyz epic traditions, then finds new shape for today’s world through thoughtful reinvention.

These figures are living cultural forms and kind reminders you can hold, pass to a friend, or keep nearby as quiet companions. Their stories speak of courage, compassion, and care, told in a way that feels familiar, like a precious lesson a grandmother once shared, and something you might one day pass on yourself.

OUR MISSION

Folklore in the Everyday

At the heart of this project is a simple belief: folklore deserves a place in our everyday lives. It belongs not as something sacred and distant, but as something very close and real.

We create characters who embody the qualities we all need and offer them back to the world. They function as archetypes for a more conscious life.

This is our way of letting Kyrgyz oral heritage speak again. Through felt, story, and shared meaning, we explore inner strength, cultural continuity, and the subtle rituals that connect us.

Core Team

Tana Sarbugu and the foundational team are responsible for the creative concept, brand identity, character development, and strategic logistics.

  • The project was initiated and creatively developed by Tana Sarbugu. The operational strategy and management are handled by CACSARC-kg (organizing and managing logistics). IFS Foundation supports sales and networking, while the branding agency japai* shapes the project’s positioning, storytelling, visuals, and marketing materials. This team structure covers all foundational parts, from creative development to sales and logistics.

Production

The Beshene Group is responsible for the creation and technical execution of the figures, ensuring quality and adherence to traditional methods.

  • The figurines are meticulously handmade by women artisans in the village of Kara-Taala, brought to life through the Beshene creative production group. This community-based approach ensures traditional knowledge is used and supported. Additional technical expertise is provided by Tumar Art Salon (specializing in felt preparation) and Asel Abdykadyrova (UULMAN) (offering essential consultations). Tikmakers as a partner supporting operations not directly involved in the production.

Funding & Support

ICHCAP/UNESCO provided financial backing, institutional oversight, and cultural endorsement for the project.

  • The project receives core funding from the Center for the Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICHCAP) under the auspices of UNESCO, which is supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea. Additional crucial support is provided by the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic. The project also benefits from informational support provided by Gallery M.

Tana Sarbugu is a digital artist and cultural researcher who reinterprets Kyrgyz epic heritage for the modern world.

CONCEPT ARTIST

  • Tana Sarbugu is a Kyrgyz digital artist, cultural theorist, and one of the few contemporary authors working with epic material as a conceptual system. Born in the Kyrgyz Republic, she received formal training in cultural studies and dedicated her academic path to exploring the epic Manas as a model of spiritual development and cultural memory. She later continued her research at the Ch. Aitmatov Institute with a dissertation on symbolic structures and imagery in Manas.

    Beginning in 2013, Tana shifted from purely academic analysis to artistic interpretation, developing her signature direction: epic conceptuality, a synthesis of myth, visual code, and philosophical narrative. She created a series of authorial cycles based on epic archetypes, including The Seven Jamby, Three States of the Human Being, The Five Oimok, The Forty Choro, and The Twelve Umai. Her works have been presented in Germany, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, the UK and other countries, and she has received major distinctions including the Aitmatov Prize, the S. Chokmorov Award, and the UNESCO Grand Prix.

    Tana is a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia, the International Federation of Artists, and the Union of Artists of Kyrgyzstan. One of her landmark projects, 7 Jamby — 7 Tumar, was transferred into the permanent collection of the Kurmanzhan Datka Museum in Issyk‑Kul.

    In 2024, Tana founded SARBUGU, a cultural platform aimed at reviving epic knowledge through modern formats from education and tourism to objects, games, and media. She authored the books Kernel Manas, Umai Ashuu, and Era of Kanykei, and regularly publishes research, lectures, and presents at international forums.

    Today, Tana continues to work at the intersection of tradition and innovation, developing oracle systems, cultural tools, and multi‑format products. Her mission is to give the next generation a cultural compass to inherit the past without freezing it, and to walk forward with roots, clarity, and meaning.

FAQs

  • KUTKUURCHAK figures are not conventional toys. They are archetypal characters drawn from Kyrgyz folklore, each one representing a vital quality of a grounded and mature life. These are cultural objects, symbolic companions meant to support inner strength and personal transitions.

  • KUTKUURCHAK is designed for those who feel the value of meaning:

    • Adults drawn to symbolism, culture, and storytelling

    • People going through life transitions

    • Friends, mentors, colleagues, or parents

    • Yourself, in moments when clarity or encouragement feels needed

  • The collection includes 7 distinct figures, each with its own theme, tone, and color:

    • Tur, willpower and movement

    • Este, harmony and home

    • Ber, abundance and generosity

    • Jasha, life and faith

    • Bil, knowledge and respect

    • Sez, intuition and mission

    • Dem, health and continuation

  • Every figure is handcrafted by women artisans in Kyrgyz villages. They are made from natural felt, using traditional techniques. Each detail is shaped with care. The project supports rural craftsmanship and the passing of cultural knowledge through creative work.

  • Because sometimes, we don’t know what we need until it finds us.

    We believe in timing over choosing. The surprise pouch is an invitation to trust the moment and discover what part of yourself is asking to be seen.

  • Then perhaps, it’s a gift meant to be passed on.

    Each repetition is a chance to share meaning. It is definitely not a mistake. The figure might be needed by someone close to you.

  • You can request a full unopened set of seven from our sales partners or at events. Otherwise, collecting the full set happens gradually: one pouch, one encounter at a time.

  • There’s no strict hierarchy or sequence.

    Each character is whole in themselves yet together, they reflect “kut”, an old Kyrgyz idea of inner completeness. You don’t need to start from the beginning. Begin where you are.

OUR APPROACH

We work only with natural felt, simple materials, and layered meanings. Our goal is to let pur heritage breathe by combining cultural memory, traditional craft, and new forms of self-expression.

KUTKUURCHAK figures are not the end of a story. It’s the beginning of a conversation between generations, traditions, and people.