Köçümkulkïzï, Elmira and Daniel C. Waugh. "Religion." In Traditional Cultures in Central Asia." Silk Road Seattle (2001), http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/culture/religion/religion.html.

Köçümkulkïzï and Waugh argue that "there is a syncretism between pre-Islamic religious tradition and Islamic norms, a fact which explains some of the distinctive features of Central Asian Islamic practice."  Further they state: "It is difficult for most Central Asians today to distinguish today between that which is Islamic and that which is shamanic or non-Islamic."  To fill out this argument they discuss shamanism, the Yasawi and Naqshbandi Sufi orders, formal/orthodox Islam of historic Bukhara and Samarqand, and sacred sites (mostly in Kyrgyzstan).  Among the sacred sites they mention and provide photos of petroglyphs, balbals, burial sites, trees (some with strips of cloth and others with bones), and cairns/oboos.  Other than mosques located nearby some of these sites and the presence of Arabic writing, it is unclear the relationship of these sites to Islam.  The last example of sycretism cited is the Gur-i Amir Mausoleum in Samarqand, Uzbekistan about which the author's state, "a pole with a horse tail has been erected over one of the graves in the interior, a feature characteristic of oboo ritual sites in other regions of Central Asia which were not influenced by Islam. "  Other interesting quotes are as follows:

"Seventeen Moments in Soviet History." http://www.soviethistory.org/index.php.

Seventeen Moments in Soviet History contains a rich archive of texts, images, maps and audio and video materials from the Soviet era (1917-1991). The materials are arranged by year and by subject, are fully searchable, and are translated into English. Students, educators, and scholars will find fascinating materials about Soviet propaganda, politics, economics, society, crime, literature, art, dissidents and hundreds of other topics.

The following sections relate to Islam in Central Asia and contain photos, images, videos, and text (including translated documents): The Muslim East: Central Asia and the Muslim East (e.g. veil images, proclamations, constitutions, and Stalin speeches); and Antireligious Propaganda (e.g. anti-Islamic propaganda and the Soviet Policy on Islam).  Registration is required to obtain access to all material.


Descriptors: archival, audio, e-content, maps, photos, Soviet, translation, video, website.

Spotorno, Carlos. "Hui Mosque: A Place of Worship for China's 'Other' Muslims." Steppe: A Central Asian Panorama, Steppe Seven, Winter 2009/10, Snapshot Section.

Spotorno's photograph here is of the interior of a contemporary Hui mosque in Xinjiang, China.  The one page text briefly describes the Hui and their mosque architecture from a Uygur perspective.  Descriptors: 2010s, architecture, China, Hui, identity, magazine, photography, photos, post-Soviet, S, Xinjiang

Aigine Cultural Research Center. "Traditional Spiritual Practices." In "Traditional Knowledge in Kyrgyzstan." Aigine Cultural Research Center. http://tk.aigine.kg/Default.aspx.

This is a great website which covers Kyrgyz sacred rituals and shrines in text, photos, and video.  It also contains a glossary, search box, and discussion of whether mazar visits are compatible with Islam.  To access much of the information, however, one must register with the site.

Sections: Sacred Sites; Rituals; Kyrgyzchylyk, Manaschylyk; Sacred Capacity and Medicine; Master and Apprentice.  Descriptors: 2010s, A, ethnography, Kyrgyz, Kyrgyzstan, photography, photos, RITUALS, SHRINES, SITES, video, website; religious life.