The Kanatbayev family from Karaganda are not just craftsmen, but also keepers of Kazakh traditions. For over 20 years, spouses Gabit Kulmuratovich Kanatbayev and Bakira Berdikabulovna Seitnazarova have been running their own production workshop together, where they create real works of art — Kazakh yurts. Their business has become a family affair: the children, the first students, continue their parents’ path. Today, this family’s yurts can be seen in Italy, Romania, the UAE, China, Russia, Croatia, and even at the American embassy in Astana.

We talked to the founders of the craft dynasty about the meaning of the Kazakh yurt, the role of traditions in modern times, and how to pass on their craft to future generations.

- Tell us why the yurt became the meaning of your craft?

Gabit Kanatbayev: The yurt is a symbol of the Kazakh way of life. It combines everything: nomadic history, family values, art, and connection with nature. This is not just a house, but a living metaphor of our people. Its dome - shanyrak - is a symbol of the sky and the family, it is also depicted on the coat of arms of Kazakhstan. Inside, everything is divided according to the traditional way of life - men's, women's, space for elders and guests. This is both a way of life and a worldview.

Bakira Seitnazarova: We always say: "The yurt is our home, our soul." It is born from natural materials, created by hand - with love and meaning. Even today, when technology is everywhere, people from all over the world continue to turn to us. Because the yurt is a symbol that touches hearts.

- How is your family business organized?

Gabit Kanatbayev: We have a clear division. I am responsible for the men's part - working with wood: I create kerege, uyk, shanyrak. This is a physically labor-intensive process - from steam bending of willow to grinding and fastening. The whole process is without nails, everything is made of sinew and ropes, like our ancestors.

Bakira Seitnazarova: And I am in charge of the decorative part — felt, ornaments, embroidery, interior design. These are tekemets, syrmaks, bau, tuskiiz. We make sure that everything is authentic — in terms of symbols, colors, meaning.

Gabit Kanatbaev: The children have been with us since childhood — at first they helped, now they make orders themselves, participate in festivals. We are not just a family, we are a school.

Our yurts are installed at holidays and in embassies

- Who orders Kazakh yurts today and for what purpose?

Bakira Seitnazarova: Very different clients. Individuals, national companies, museums, government agencies. There are yurts in Italy, Romania, China, Croatia. One of our yurts was installed at the US Embassy in Astana — it is used to receive distinguished guests. They are ordered both for Nauryz and as part of a permanent ethnic interior.

Gabit Kanatbayev: More and more young Kazakhs abroad want to have a symbol of their homeland. We make yurts not only as temporary structures, but also for everyday life — insulated, adapted to different conditions.

- What is special about Kazakh crafts, and how do you preserve them?

Bakira Seitnazarova: Each ornament is not just a pattern, it is a code. Koshkar muyiz is a symbol of strength and wealth, osimdik ornegi is a symbol of life and nature, tumarsha is protection from the evil eye. We explain the meaning of these symbols to young people so that they do not just copy, but understand what they are creating.

Gabit Kanatbaev: We do not compromise on quality: only willow wood, felt made from sheep wool, everything is handmade. Our mission is to preserve authenticity and soul. Today, crafts are becoming fashionable. And this is pleasing.

- How do you rate the interest of young people in crafts today?

Gabit Kanatbaev: Interest is growing in the cities. Young people are drawn to their roots, want to understand the culture. Many come to master classes, watch TikTok, where they show the process, and get inspired.

Bakira Seitnazarova: We conduct workshops ourselves, participate in ethno festivals. It is amazing how young Kazakhs are rediscovering felt, wood, and ornaments. But in the villages, not everything is so simple - they leave, there is no one to pass on knowledge. Therefore, it is so important to develop crafts as part of the creative industry - this is not the "past", but the capital of the future. What is most important to you in this work?

Bakira Seitnazarova: This is more than a business. We feel that we are reviving the spirit, making people feel like they are part of something big. Through crafts, we convey love for the homeland, family, and nature.

Gabit Kanatbayev: Every craftsman’s dream is to leave a mark. Not just to create a beautiful thing, but to pass on knowledge, to put their soul into it. We believe: as long as tradition lives, the people live.
Today, in the era of digitalization, manual labor is becoming especially valuable.

A yurt is not just a tribute to the past, but a bridge to the future. It connects generations, gives roots and wings. And it is craftsmen like the Kanatbayev family who help preserve this living heritage — for Kazakhstan, for the world, and for future generations.