Family and marriage among the Kyrgyz are closely related to the patriarchal way of life, but women do tend to be viewed as equals in many parts of the country - many hold jobs and some are in positions of power. Despite this, the women who do work are still expected to take care of all the household chores including preparing and serving the food, and keeping the home neat and clean. Kyrgyz is a modest, conservative culture but, unlike most of central Asia, follows a more moderate form of Islam and is open to accepting foreign ideas and cultures.
Kyrgyzstan is a constitutional republic located in Central Asia. It achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and retains Russian as an official language; Kyrgyz is the other official language that is often spoken at home. Islam is the dominant religion. The climate of this mountainous country varies by region. Many areas in the southwest are subtropical with very hot summers while in the coldest areas temperatures can remain at sub-zero levels for many weeks in the winter.
