RAFIS ABAZOV is Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of International and Public Affairs/Harriman Institute, Columbia University. He has written four books, including the Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan and the Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan.

"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

• Series Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration Chronology Introduction: Land, People, and History Folklore and Literature Media and Cinema Performing Arts Visual Arts Architecture Gender, Courtship, and Marriage Festivals, Fun, and Leisure Glossary Selected Bibliography Index

RAFIS ABAZOV is Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of International and Public Affairs/Harriman Institute, Columbia University. He has written four books, including the Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan and the Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan.

"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

• Series Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration Chronology Introduction: Land, People, and History Folklore and Literature Media and Cinema Performing Arts Visual Arts Architecture Gender, Courtship, and Marriage Festivals, Fun, and Leisure Glossary Selected Bibliography Index

RAFIS ABAZOV is Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of International and Public Affairs/Harriman Institute, Columbia University. He has written four books, including the Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan and the Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan.

"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

• Series Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration Chronology Introduction: Land, People, and History Folklore and Literature Media and Cinema Performing Arts Visual Arts Architecture Gender, Courtship, and Marriage Festivals, Fun, and Leisure Glossary Selected Bibliography Index