The Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan won their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Now they are emerging from the shadow of dominance and are subjects of intense interest from the West. The modern culture and customs of the various peoples in these geopolitical hotspots, straddling the far reaches of Europe into Asia, are revealed to a general audience for the first time. This will be the must-have volume for a broad, authoritative overview of these traditional civilizations as they cope with globalization.
The Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan won their independence from the Soviet Union in 199...
The modern history of Kyrgyzstan resembles a fascinating history of the Great Game (a term used to describe competition between the British and Russian Empires for domination in Central Asia). For centuries, various great powers and nomadic Khanates attempted to establish an ultimate control over this strategically important land, and the land populated by Kyrgyzs was fragmented between various political entities. Only at the end of the 19th century did the Russian Empire finally acquire control over this region. In 1924 the Kyrgyz land was united into a single political entity in the...
The modern history of Kyrgyzstan resembles a fascinating history of the Great Game (a term used to describe competition between the British and Russia...
Turkmenistan is known for its huge oil and gas resources, as well as for the rich, complex, and captivating history of the Turkmen people. For centuries they were known as skillful and courageous warriors who left deep marks in the histories of other countries, such as India, Russia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. As craftsmen, they constructed extraordinary architectural monuments, whose ruins can be found all over the country, and famous Turkoman carpets are still highly valued in many parts of the world. Yet, for centuries, foreign invaders and local tribal conflict plagued...
Turkmenistan is known for its huge oil and gas resources, as well as for the rich, complex, and captivating history of the Turkmen people. For centuri...
This atlas graphically illuminates the region's history tracing back to the 8th-7th century B.C. From the spread of Islam to the invasion of the Mongols, the area has been at the crossroads of some of the world's most important developments, all succinctly explained in this book.
This atlas graphically illuminates the region's history tracing back to the 8th-7th century B.C. From the spread of Islam to the invasion of the Mongo...
With exhaustive coverage on one of the world's most diverse and exciting countries, Culture and Customs of Turkey is an essential addition to high school and public library shelves. Illustrative accounts of past traditions help readers to understand contemporary culture today, covering such customs as religious beliefs, folklore, gender issues, art, performing arts, cuisine, and festivals. Students will learn how Turkey has become culturally rich and diverse, mixing Western and Eastern traditions to form a unique bridge between Europe and Asia. This latest volume in the Culture and...
With exhaustive coverage on one of the world's most diverse and exciting countries, Culture and Customs of Turkey is an essential addition t...
Green Desert: The Life and Poetry of Olzhas Suleimenov is the first comprehensive translation of Olzhas Suleimenov's poetry in English. The book provides a concise overview of the poet's rich literary heritage and serves as an introduction to the contemporary literature of Kazakhstan and Eurasia. Suleimenov, whom Russian poet Andrei Voznesensky once aptly called "Asia at the Steering Wheel," has emerged as one of Kazakhstan's and Central Asia's most influential intellectuals, authors, and poets of the last half century. Since 1991, Suleimenov has encouraged Kazakhstanis to embrace...
Green Desert: The Life and Poetry of Olzhas Suleimenov is the first comprehensive translation of Olzhas Suleimenov's poetry in English. The boo...
Featuring first-time translations of numerous examples of modern Kazakh literature for publication in the USA, this anthology provides excellent examples of literary life in both Soviet and post-Soviet Kazakhstan, and introduces readers to the rich literary traditions of the region. The materials introduce the rich literary heritage of Kazakhstan, which is a part of the unique prose and poetry traditions of the Central Asia steppes and Eurasia. The selected readings will enhance the understanding of unique nomadic culture and Central Asian universe of the great Eurasia Steppe, which, in...
Featuring first-time translations of numerous examples of modern Kazakh literature for publication in the USA, this anthology provides excellent examp...
"Summer Evening, Prairie Night, Land of Golden Wheat: The Outside World in Kazakh Literature offers students the best examples of Kazakh literature covering the twentieth century. The book features, in English translation, works from pre-soviet, soviet, and post-soviet Kazakhstan, and introduces students to the rich literary traditions that formed between nomads and nature. It gives students the opportunity to read the unique prose and poetry traditions of the Central Asia steppes and Eurasia. The first part of the text is devoted to poetry, while the second part presents prose...
"Summer Evening, Prairie Night, Land of Golden Wheat: The Outside World in Kazakh Literature offers students the best examples of Kazakh litera...