This chapter helps demonstrate the diversity of Islam in Central Asia. It discusses the animal husbandry and the remaining semi-nomadic ways of the Kyrgyz in Soviet times. It also discusses the condition of women in marriage and points out that they did not wear the veil.
Comments: 1/28/10
Below are some interesting quotations. Many contemporary scholars would argue that outside observers should not judge Muslims by normative interpretations of Islam from other regions, but should rather allow Muslims in the region to define their own religion.
- "Their customary occupance pattern is pastoral nomadism, and their religion is a form of Sunni Muslim of the Hanafi school that is mixed richly with pre-Islamic totemism, demonism, and other beliefs." (p. 215)
- "According to some scholars, the Kirgiz are only "superficially Islamic" and accept many shamanistic elements, which are especially prevalent in the conduct of funerals, memorial rites, and other rituals." (p.218)
- With regard to illegal itinerant mullahs: "The latter are responsible more for the strong persistence of the pre-Islamic folk beliefs than they are for the survival of pure Islam." (p. 218)
