Although under Soviet domination for a long time, the Kyrgyz have preserved the traditions of the month of Ramadan: they pray, read the Quran and fast. The foundations of their traditions are similar to those of the other Muslim Turkic groups with a few idiosyncratic features.

The approaching of Ramadan is a genuinely festive event for the Kyrgyz, awaited with sincere excitement. A day before its advent on Arapa (Arefe) day the inhabitants of the village or the street divide into two groups, going from house to house, eating and drinking together, reciting the prayers in union with the dwellers of the visited house. Some Kyrgyz groups visit the graves of their beloved and place the favourite dishes of the deceased on the graves.

The middle-aged and older Kyrgyz observe Ramadan with fasting throughout the month, but the younger only fast at the beginning, middle and end. In this period, the breaking of the fast after sunset with the laid table and visits is very important for the Kyrgyz. The fasting persons get up before daybreak for a meal (sahur), but there is no wakening drumbeat here, unlike in Turkey, for example.

The tradition of reciting the Quran is widespread among the Kyrgyz. They lay a festive table and kill a lamb. The head of the lamb is given to the reader from the Quran, usually the imam. In Kyrgyzstan the imams are not paid by the state, the faithful raise the money to pay them. In the month of Ramadan they collect alms and give them to the imam who distributes them among the needy.

The night of decree (Kadir Gecesi) is regarded as a holy night by the Kyrgyz as well, as the holiest night of Ramadan when the Quran descended from the seventh heaven. The people make fires in the streets and make merry till morning.

An important but certainly the most colourful element of the Kyrgyz Ramadan traditions is the singing of Caramazan songs. During the month of Ramadan Kyrgyz children go from door to door singing songs and collecting alms, money as well as candy, seeds, fruits, etc. This centuries old tradition has also earned an important place in Kyrgyz literature. Children are not turned down empty-handed, otherwise a curse would settle on the household, they think. Though with lesser intensity than the Kyrgyz, the Ramadan traditions are also observed by the Uzbeks, Kazakhs, the Ahishka, Uyghur and Anatolian Turks as well.

In the following, the reader will be acquainted with the Ramadan songs of the Kyrgyz.