Though the concrete details of Jewish presence in the area of Kyrgyzstan itself is largely unknown before the Soviet Union, Bukharian Jews have resided there since the 4th century. In the modern day, the population of Jews in Kyrgyzstan is estimated to be approximately 500 with most located in Bishkek. For visitors and locals alike, […]

The Kyrgyz are a Turkic people with a rich identity that revolves around their nomadic heritage. Although they were forcibly settled by the Soviets, some have maintained or returned to nomadic traditions. Other strong elements of their culture include faith in Islam that is heavily informed by previous (or present) belief in Tengrism, Zoroastrianism, and […]

There are few essential things to know about Kyrgyzstan. One of these is the country’s folkloric hero, Manas. You’ll find nearly everything in Krygyzstan is named after him: the main airport, national parks, major streets in nearly every city and town, and even karate clubs and movie theaters, not to mention the statues of him […]

What shapes Uzbek national identity? The answer is complex and personal, but one key element is the Uzbek national narrative. This includes the heroes and pivotal events taught in schools, the places central to the nation’s collective memory, and the language and beliefs that frame its worldview. A national narrative goes beyond history: it is […]

What shapes Kyrgyz national identity? The answer is complex and personal, but one key element is the Kyrgyz national narrative. This includes the heroes and pivotal events taught in schools, the places central to the nation’s collective memory, and the language and beliefs that frame its worldview. A national narrative goes beyond history: it is […]

What shapes Azerbaijani national identity? The answer is complex and personal, but one key element is the Azerbaijani national narrative. This includes the heroes and pivotal events taught in schools, the places central to the nation’s collective memory, and the language and beliefs that frame its worldview. A national narrative goes beyond history: it is […]

What shapes Kazakh national identity? The answer is complex and personal, but one key element is the Kazakh national narrative. This includes the heroes and pivotal events taught in schools, the places central to the nation’s collective memory, and the language and beliefs that frame its worldview. A national narrative goes beyond history: it is […]

In this text, Tajik blogger Roxana Burkhanova describes, in Russian, the history and religions under the USSR. Despite the state’s officially athiestic policies, multiple religions existed within the USSR. Since that empire’s demise, all of those religions are now experiencing a revival. The material below details how this came to pass. This is part of […]

In this text, Tajik blogger Roxana Burkhanova describes, in Russian, the history and current status of Muslims in Russia. Islam is the largest minority faith in Russia and Muslims are a growing and important demographic there, especially among immigrants from Central Asia. The material below details both the challenges that Muslims have faced in integrating […]