Arslanbob
Arslanbob
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Arslanbob (
The population of Arslanbob was 15,196 in 2021.[2]
Etymology
Arslanbob is named after an 11th-century figure, Arslanbob-Ata (alternate: Arstanbap-Ata). He may have been of
History
According to legend, Alexander the Great took the walnuts from the forest of Arslanbob, and these formed the European plantations. For this reason, the walnut is known as the Greek nut in Russian.[4] Scientific research however shows that the walnut forests around Arslanbob are probably around 1000 years old, and were planted. This corresponds with another local story, that says the forest was planted under the leadership of Arystanbop, who founded the village in his name, and died around 1120 CE.[5]
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2009 | 11,291 | — |
2021 | 15,196 | +2.51% |
Note: resident population; Sources:[2][6] |
Geography
Arslanbob is reached from Jalal-Abad via Bazar-Korgon. Kyzyl-Üngkür is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away, reachable via Oogon-Talaa, which is situated in the Kara-Üngkür valley.[3]
The walnut forest is within the 60,000 hectares (150,000 acres) forest situated between the
Behind the town of Arslanbob are the
Flora and fauna
- Flora
The main issues threatening the forest are cattle grazing and haymaking, but collecting nuts, hunting, gathering firewood and timber, as well as climate change all reduce the ability of the forest to regenerate.[7]
Various wild forms of other fruit-bearing species including apple (Malus siversiana), pear (Pyrus korshinsky), and plum (Prunus sogdiana).[3]
- Fauna
Raccoons were introduced into the Arslanbob forest, now inhabiting an area of about 12,000–15,000 hectares (30,000–37,000 acres) in the western part of Achinsk district in Jalal-Abad Region.[11]
Culture
A shrine (tomb) to
- Legends
A legend has it that a disciple of
Other legends include that Alexander the Great planted the first walnut trees in Arslanbob;[15] and that he carried several sacks of walnuts with him which he had used to pay boatmen to ferry his troops.
Another legend attributes walnut distribution to the Silk Road.[4][13]
Economy
The economic activity of the town centers around the walnut. In the walnut season, which lasts for one month during September, the villagers of Arslanbob and other neighboring villages engage themselves in collecting the nut. For this purpose, they hire a small plot of land for a fee on a five-year lease from the Forest Department. They collect the nuts, fruits and the wood. It is also an occasion of social rejoicing. Walnuts are priced high as they are a source of "oil, protein, anti-oxidants and omega 3 fatty acids."[3] The walnut has served as barter trade in exchange for essential services. The barter practice is still observed in some cases in the villages here to pay fees to the teacher or to travel by bus.[3]
Other crops include maize, potatoes and sunflowers.
Tourism
Tourism is being developed in and around the Arslanbob city. While trekking is a fairly well established activity to the nearby hills and valleys, skiing as an adventure sport is under initial stages of development near the Jailoos mountains.[4] Visiting the walnut wood land by walking through the village up to the red cliffs is also a popular tourist attraction during the season.[3]
There are two water falls which are frequented by visitors seeking holy blessings, magical and spiritual powers. The area around the falls is adorned with prayer flags and wish rags; one was frequented by a holy woman.[3]
References
- ^ Laker, Elise (February 2011). "Love and Plov in Arslanbob". The Spektator (15): 12.
- ^ a b "Population of regions, districts, towns, urban-type settlements, rural communities and villages of Kyrgyz Republic" (XLS) (in Russian). National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2021. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84162-221-7. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74104-614-4. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
- ISSN 0277-3791.
- ^ "2009 population and housing census of the Kyrgyz Republic: Jalal-Abad Region" (PDF) (in Russian). National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2010. p. 321.
- ^ "Arslanbob and the walnut forest". Caravanistan. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ISBN 978-2-8317-0387-9. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
- ^ BlaserCarter1998,p.15
- ^ BlaserCarter1998,p.88
- ^ Novikov, Georgiĭ Aleksandrovich (1962). Carnivorous mammals of the fauna of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translations. p. 113. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-520-05576-6. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Arslanbob:The "Royal Forests" of Southern Kyrgyzstan". kyrgyzstan.orexca.com. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
- ^ "CBT Arslanbob (Jalalabat Oblast)". cbtkyrgyzstan.kg. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-931694-62-9. Retrieved 20 February 2011.