In the Djalalabad region of Southern Kyrgyzstan, at the foot of the Babash Ata Mountain, lies the village of Arslanbob surrounded by an enormous walnut grove—the world’s largest. For centuries, this grove has been providing for the residents of this ancient village, now numbering some 13,000.

Every autumn, nearly three thousand families that make up Arslanbob leave their homes and head into the mountains’ south-facing slopes where walnut trees grow. For the next two months, this forest becomes their home. Living in makeshift shelters each and every able member of the family, young and old, engage themselves to the task of collecting walnuts, only returning every few days to deposit their harvest and restock provisions. The whole event has a carnival-like feel, with people sharing food and gathering around campfires to sing and share stories.

The walnut grove in Arslanbob. Photo: Teow Cek Chuan/Shutterstock.com