Sheep's Wool And Clay: Making Traditional Kyrgyz Tandyr Ovens

General view over the tandyr factory

The ovens are tested before being shipped. A quality oven can last for up to 20 years.

Preparing the moistened clay. All members of the family help in the production of the ovens.

First, the soil used to make the clay must be sifted until it is free of unwanted pebbles.

Sheep’s wool is added to the clay to make it stronger.

Brandishing the tools of the trade

Once formed, the ovens are left in the sun to dry.

The Nizamov family produces many of their ovens for export to Russia, where they are in demand among Central Asian immigrants. It cost the family about 1,000 rubles ($25) to transport each oven to Russia, where they sell for between 15,000-20,000 rubles ($370-$495).

A baker places nan into a tandyr in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.