Congress

March 31, 2014

On March 27-28, the First Congress of Ethnographers and Anthropologists of Kyrgyzstan was held on the campus of AUCA. About 80 representatives from universities all over Kyrgyzstan, including Osh and Naryn cities, took part to this event; one participant came from as far as Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan.

 

The congress had two focuses:  Archeological (19 papers) and ethnological (sociocultural anthropology – about 60 papers). A number of other applicants were not included for various reasons.

 

The Congress was comprised of the following subparts:

1. Historical Ethnology;
2. Issues of Ethnical Archeology, Dendrochronology, and Legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic for the Protection of Its Historical-Cultural Legacy;
3. Archeology of the Stone and Bronze Ages;
4. Nomads from China: Traditions and Identity;
5. Ethnical processes in Southern Kyrgyzstan;
6. Anthropology of Gender;
7. Archeology of Early Iron Age and Middle Ages;
8. Diverse Identities and the Religious Situation in the Kyrgyz Republic;
9. Study of the Material Culture of Ethnic Groups in the Kyrgyz Republic;
10. Theoretical and Methodological Approaches;
11. The Many-Sided Legacy.

The organizing committee of the Congress set the following goals:

-          To determine the current situation of ethnological, anthropological and archeological studies;

-          To reveal and to discuss the conceptual goals of anthropology as terminological issues of this discipline;

-          To analyze the Soviet legacy on ethnology, anthropology and ethnical archeology;

-          To determine the necessity of institutional strengthening within the framework of establishment of the Association of Anthropologists of Kyrgyzstan;

-          To set terms and goals of the next congress.

 

Brief survey to discussions:

Plenary meeting touched upon the issues of the contemporary status of ethnology of Kyrgyzstan. A. Asankanov, one of the leaders in the field, prepared a survey on the topic. A brief review and subject analysis were made on soviet ethnology and post-Soviet research. Asankanov gave his recommendations on further development in this discipline. Two other leading ethnologists, Anvar Mokeev and Tynchtykbek Chorotegin, discussed some issues regarding the origin of the Kyrgyz ethnicity. K. Tabaldiev, a leading Kyrgyz archeologist, analyzed on development of archeology and its capabilities. A. Bikbulatova suggested adopting Western terminological model by combining all terminological sub-disciplines and designations under the blanket term “Anthropology.” R. Rahimov emphasized some problems of this science in his paper: Problems of native anthropology and studying “other” societies and the problem of theoretical gap in national sciences. Besides lively discussions on the plenary reports, the main issues and comments specifically concerned terminological problems. Moreover, the different approaches of Western and post-Soviet sciences were discussed during the Congress, for instance terms such as “nation” and “nationality” etc.

 

The largest section of the Congress concerned “Historical Ethnology,” which covered a wide range of issues, primarily about the Soviet period, self-identification and ethnological processes. Reports on polygamous practices, an oral history of collectivization and privatization were notable. Other sections continued the Soviet themes: Material culture (carpet weaving, traditional clothes, blankets etc.) and cultural legacies like hunting, animal slaughtering rituals, as well as the problem of saving of cultural legacy.

 

“Nomads of the China” delved into the problems of Kyrgyz and Kazakh communities in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, including politics and identity issues.

 

Overall, the Congress revealed great interest in the ethnographical and archeological sciences in Kyrgyzstan. Furthermore, each subsection was appropriately interesting and engaging, distinguishing it from other conferences in Kyrgyzstan.

 

The Congress emphasized such themes as the continuation of the Soviet legacy; dialogue between generations of Kyrgyzstani people, schools, the development of an institution of academic review and the publishing of scientific periodicals and catalogues.

 

Osh City was suggested to host the next Congress of Ethnographers and Anthropologists of Kyrgyzstan in the April of next year, with the theme “Ethnic Communities of the Kyrgyz Republic.”

 

The establishment of an anthropological/ethnographical association of was suggested after a long discussion in the final session. Also, Ruslan Rahimov was nominated to the position of chairman and association coordinator. Mr. Rahimov is head of the Anthropology Department at the American University of Central Asia and one of the main instigators of this year’s conference, as well as an active member of organizing committee.

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