Naryn artisans create massage covers from traditional felt hats

Artisans in the Naryn region of Kyrgyzstan have begun producing massage covers for car seats and mats used in children's speech therapy.

Cholpon Maksutalieva and her neighbors in the village of Ak-Moyun transformed traditional alchiks, which are felt hats, into these new products. The group already produces items like shyrdaks and bridal trousseaus from natural materials. This new product line has generated many orders and encouraged the craftspeople to start further creative projects.

The covers are used by speech therapists to help children during rehabilitation.