ASTANA – As climate change fuels increasingly intense heat waves, staying safe in extreme temperatures has become a growing concern across Kazakhstan. This summer, temperatures have climbed above 40 degrees Celsius in several regions, testing both people’s endurance and public health systems.
Photo credit: AI-generated image/ The Astana Times While modern households rely on air conditioners and fans, Kazakhstan’s nomadic ancestors developed practical ways to stay cool long before electricity. According to a candidate of historical sciences Saltanat Asanova, many of these centuries-old practices remain relevant today.
“Traditional culture, livelihoods and daily life were always closely connected to the natural environment and its changes. People were prepared for both cold and heat,” Asanova told The Astana Times. Saltanat Asanova, a candidate of historical sciences. Photo credit: Asanova’s personal archieve For nomadic herders, extreme summer heat was rarely a major problem because they moved with the seasons.
“Nomads who migrated year-round spent summers in cooler areas, either farther north or in high mountain pastures. Moving livestock to alpine grazing lands was the primary way to escape the summer heat. Even on the hottest days, temperatures in the mountains remain significantly lower than in the steppe,” Asanova said.
Daily routines also followed the rhythm of the sun. Work began at dawn, paused during the hottest midday hours and resumed in the evening as temperatures dropped. “Most household and pastoral work was completed after sunset, when the heat subsided,” she said. The yurt, the traditional portable dwelling of Kazakh nomads, played a crucial role in keeping families cool.
According to Asanova, the yurt’s design created constant natural airflow. The shanyrak, the circular opening at the top of the roof, was left open during the day, allowing hot air to rise and escape while cooler air remained inside. To maximize ventilation, yurts were carefully positioned according to prevailing winds.
Although entrances traditionally faced southeast, their orientation could be adjusted depending on local wind conditions. Lifting the edges of the felt covering allowed air to circulate freely through the structure.