Iconic Places in Central Asia: The Moral Geography of Dams, Pastures and Holy Sites (Culture and Social Practice)

Jeanne Féaux de la Croix maps three iconic places as part of Central Asians' 'moral geographies' and examines their role in navigating socialist, neo-liberal and neo-Islamic life models. Dams provide most of Kyrgyzstan's electricity, but are also at the heart of regional water disputes that threaten an already shrinking Aral Sea. Mountain pastures cover much of Central Asia's heartland and offer a livelihood and refuge, even to urban citizens. Pilgrimage sites have recovered from official Soviet oblivion and act as cherished scenes of decision-making. Examining how iconic places, work and well-being can mesh together, this book moves debates about post-Soviet memory, space and property onto fresh terrain.--Back cover

Jeanne Féaux de la Croix maps three iconic places as part of Central Asians' 'moral geographies' and examines their role in navigating socialist, neo-liberal and neo-Islamic life models.Dams provide most of Kyrgyzstan's electricity, but are also at the heart of regional water disputes that threaten an already shrinking Aral Sea. Mountain pastures cover much of Central Asia's heartland and offer a livelihood and refuge, even to urban citizens. Pilgrimage sites have recovered from official Soviet oblivion and act as cherished scenes of decision-making. Examining how iconic places, work and well-being can mesh together, this book moves debates about post-Soviet memory, space and property onto fresh terrain.

Cover Inhalt Acknowledgments Ыраазычылык Аннотация: Summary in Kyrgyz Note on Transliteration Chapter 1: Introduction PART I: INTERACTIONS IN THREE SIGNIFICANT PLACES Chapter 2: Knowing and Living Pastures Chapter 3: Damming the Naryn River Chapter 4: Visiting Mazars PART II: TIMING PLACES Chapter 5: Coping with Continuity: Between Epics and Life Stories Chapter 6: Commemorating Change: Between Collectivisation and Privatisation PART III: WORKING AND ENJOYING PLACES Chapter 7: What is Work and Why Do It? Chapter 8: Celebrating Places: Picnics, Poetry and Song Chapter 9: Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Index Jeanne Feaux de la Croix maps three iconic places as part of Central Asians' 'moral geographies' and examines their role in navigating socialist, neo-liberal and neo-Islamic life models. Examining how iconic places, work and well-being can mesh together, this book moves debates about post-Soviet memory, space and property onto fresh terrain.