Köçümkulkïzï, Elmira. "My 'Fairy-Tale' Kyrgyz Wedding." Silk Road Seattle (2004), http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/culture/wedding/wedding.html.

Complete with text, video clips, and translated wedding songs, Köçümkulkïzï describes her traditional Kyrgyz wedding in Kyrgyzstan.  While the article is not about Islam, the marriage was solemized by a mullah and a grandmother gave a special blessing.  That blessing is captured in one of the video clips and is described as follows: "The groom’s grandmother gave a special blessing to us and all of us said “Oomiyin!” (Amen!) by stroking our faces with both palms." The following quote lists the main customs and rituals observed in the wedding, including the Islamic marriage ceremony:

"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.

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.