Belief

Shared narratives are a major part of any identity. Early cultures sought to explain the world around them and their own origins through folklore and mythology. Today, narratives remain strong as a way to convey morality and social mores as well as ways to make sense of an often complicated national past in order to form a cohesive national identity. Both religion and the state exert powerful influence over modern narratives through various education efforts. However, civil society also plays a large role in maintaining and developing narratives, especially as the Internet makes it increasingly common to have the voices of individuals and small groups amplified.

Filter the below articles for: Slavic, Turkic, Caucasian, Baltics, or other cultures.

Kyrgyz Identity: Understanding the Kyrgyz National Narrative

What created Kyrgyz national identity? This is a complex question and one that is personal for each Kyrgyz person. This resource will focus on presenting one element of this identity – the Kyrgyz national narrative. Who are the national heroes and what are the pivotal events that they learned about in school? What are the […]

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