Balbay Batyr

Balbay Eshkojo uulu, of Bugu origin, was born on February 28, 1791. He waged wars of liberation against the invaders in the period from 1850 to 1855. Balbai defended the interests of his tribesmen and actively participated in tribal feuds.
In 1853, a battle between Borombai (Bugu clan) and Ormon khan (Sarybagysh clan) took place in Kuturgu (northern coast of Issyk-Kul). Ormon khan was captured, and after some time, not to be released, was killed by Balbay.
Legend has it that Ormon-Khan once long held Balbai captive in order to kill him. But, giving in to the pleas of the Bugins and his aksakals, he let him go. Balbai retained a hidden grudge and exacted his revenge on Ormon-Khan.
At first he was a supporter of joining Kirghiz to Russia, and Balbai was awarded an honorable caftan of the third class and a diploma on a special paper with a two-headed imperial eagle “for excellent diligent service and constant loyalty to the government”. Then Balbai was disappointed in this and took an active part in the struggle against the Tsarist colonial power. As a result he was arrested and imprisoned, where he died.
Balbai’s descendants erected a majestic monument in his homeland – Balbai’s Gumbez. Gumbez is located by three roads, between the villages Tyup and Sary-bulak. In 1916, the bezos was destroyed. Restored at the expense of the population of Kurmenta and Sarybulak in 1991 – 1992.