Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics by Dr. Rafis Abazov (Columbia University, NY)

With great honor we are proud to introduce the book about Culture And Customs of the Central Asian Republics by Dr. Rafis Abazov (Columbia University, NY). This must-have book is about Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan that won their independence from Soviet Union in 1991. For the first time customs and culture of the various peoples in these geopolitical hotspots, straddling the far reaches of Europe into Asia are revealed to a general audience in this truly magnificent book. Telling authoritative overview of these traditional civilizations as they cope with globalization.

Table of Content:

Series of Foreword

Gender, Courtship and Marriage

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chronology

Introduction

Land People and History

Folklore and Literature

Media and Cinema

Performing Arts

Visual Arts

Architecture

Festivals, Fun and Leisure

Glossary

Selected Bibliography

Index

Published by: Westport, Connecticut and London, Greenwood Press, 2007. 360., Map, 30 Illustrations. ISBN: 0-313-33656-3


Reviews:

Abazov provides an introduction for students and general readers to the culture and customs of Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Coverage encompasses the land, people, language, history, and economy; thought and religion; folklore and literature, with attention to key individuals; media and cinema; performing and visual arts; architecture; gender, courtship, and marriage; and festivals and leisure activities. Elite life, ideology, and details of political structure and struggle are not discussed in favor of the life of common people. B&w photos are incorporated.
—Reference & Research Book News May 2007

Central Asian culture remains relatively unknown to the West. The Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics provides a concise yet thorough overview of the region. The book is greatly enriched by Rafis Abazov's insider knowledge of dynamic changes in the post-independence era....Coverage includes thoughts and religions, folklore, literature, media, cinema, performing and visual arts, gender and marriage, festival and social customs. Evocative photos, a map, a chronology, and a glossary compliment the text; and the selected bibliography (resource guide), provides a resource for curious readers to conduct further studies. This is the best source for students and general readers to extensive insight into the "jewel of Eurasia."
—Central Asia Discovery Fall 2006

With the debut of Steppe magazine in September 2006, a spotlight was shone upon some of the trendier aspects of Central Asia. For an equally in-depth look at the history of the region, Rafis Abazov, a professor at Columbia University, New York, should satisfy your thirst for information. Abazov studies Central Asian history, with all its peaks and troughs and its prospects for the future. As any visitor to the region will attest, the vibrant bazaars and markets of Central Asia still retain the energy of the Silk Road, and striking traditional architecture stands proudly among the far blander modern edifices. This book will help you understand this delightful incongruity.
—Impressions January 2007


Awards:

Award from Kazakhstan Journalism Academy Wednesday, 05 December 2007

Dr. Rafis Abazov (Adjunct Assistant Professor, SIPA), received Kazakhstan's Journalism Academy Award (2007) for the best foreign publication on contemporary culture, literature and mass media in Central Asia and Kazakhstan.
Abazov's book "The Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics," published in February 2007 by Greenwood Press, presents his research on the cultural changes that have taken place during the 20th century in this important region on the Great Silk Road and the impact of globalization and independence on the cultural development since 1991.
Kazakhstan's Journalism Academy Award is presented annually to the best works in the area of journalism, literature and photo journalism.

Get this book as a gift for pre-departure reading with purchase of any of our tours or buy from Greenwood Press