Anna Kirey and Dan Orsekova

Presentation of small research project “Living as kyz bala in Kyrgyzstan”

Kyz bala is what women who dress, walk, behave in a way that is considered “masculine” are called in Kyrgyz language. Those who say it when they see a woman like that consider it an offense. The research project was aimed to find out how FtM and lesbian women see themselves in relation to kyz bala concept and how others see kyz bala. The analysis covers how Asian/muslim identity is relevant to what kyz bala means and how gender norms for women are constructed in Kyrgyzstan based on this category.