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Front: Togolok Moldo (1860-1942), poet

Moldo, born Bayymbet Abdyrakhmanovinto, was raised by his uncle who was a well-known Komuz player. The name Togololok Moldo was given to him by his audiences. Togolok means round-faced, and Moldo means an educated person. He recorded and wrote many national folk songs and many of the texts are now kept in the Manuscript Library of the National Academy of Sciences.

Back: Manas Mousoleum in Talas

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Front: Datka Kurmanjan Mamatbai kysy (1811-1907), Kyrgyz Republic stateswoman

Kurmanjan was born into a nomad family. At the age of 18, she ran away from the marriage to a much older man. In 1832, she married the feudal lord, Alimbek who had taken the title Datka and ruled all the Kyrgyz of the Alai. Alimbek died after a palace coup in 1862, and Kurmanjan took the responsility of governing the Alai. She was recognized by the khans of Bukhara and Kokand. She later married one of the batyrs. She is thought to be the only woman to have been granted the role of ruler in the Muslim world.

Back: Mausoleum and minaret in the Uzgen Architectural Site near Osh

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Front: Toktogul Satylgan uulu (1864-1933), Kyrgyz poet

Toktogul was born into a poor family. His mother was a good singer and he began singing when he was 8 years old. Later he made up songs about the hardships of his life, a theme recurrent throughout all his life.

Back: Khan Tengri Mountain