The Kirghiz tribes living in Afghanistan’s Pamir mountains (also known as “roof of the world”) still maintain nomadic way of life. They move four times in a year, along with the changes of seasons. Therefore, their house should be highly portable. The Kirghiz live inside yurt, or ooy in their language, which is a portable tent covered by sheepskin. The skeleton of the yurt is made of wood, of which material is obtained from the neighboring countries or visiting Afghan traders. It’s because no trees can grow in Pamir, which is more than 4,000 m above sea level. The top of the yurt is a huge circular hole, where sunshine passes through. The roof circle house has a special design, which is now on the flag and national symbol of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
Pamir, Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan, 2008