DOCSLIB.ORG

Entreprenuership and Microfinance

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

ENTREPRENUERSHIP AND MICROFINANCE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN KYRGYZSTAN by AIDA A. JOLOSHEVA A THESIS Presented to the Department ofInternational Studies and the Graduate School ofthe University of Oregon in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree of Master ofArts June 2010 11 "Entrepreneurship and Microfinance: Economic Development and Women's Empowerment in Kyrgyzstan," a thesis prepared by Aida A. Jolosheva in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the Master ofArts degree in the Department of International Studies. This thesis has been approved and accepted by: Anita M. Weiss, Chair ofthe Examining Committee Committee in Charge: Dr. Anita M. Weiss, Chair Dr. Laura Leete Dr. Shankha Chakraborty Accepted by: Dean ofthe Graduate School 11l An Abstract ofthe Thesis of Aida A. Jolosheva for the degree of Master ofArts in the Department ofInternational Studies to be taken June 2010 Title: ENTREPRENUERSHIP AND MICROFINANCE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERNIENT IN KYRGYZSTAN Approved: Dr. Anita M.Weiss This thesis focuses on microfinance in Kyrgyzstan as a response to the initiation ofeconomic, social and political reforms following Kyrgyzstan's independence in 1991. These reforms accelerated Kyrgyzstan's transition from a centrally-planned to a liberal market-based economy. Microfinance became a favored mechanism for encouraging individual entrepreneurship and thus economic development. Based on field research I conducted in Kyrgyzstan during the summer of2009, this thesis examines the economic impact ofthese reforms on women entrepreneurs, as women were particularly vulnerable to the social fallout from such reforms. Through participatory observation, small focus groups and semi-structured interviews, I analyze myriad aspects ofthe lives ofwomen entrepreneurs who have participated in a microfinance project. I argue that microfinance provides an empowering, sustainable path for them. However, the historical occupational divisions encouraged by the Soviet Union affect how people use microcredit. I conclude with suggestions on improving microfinance practices in Kyrgyzstan. IV CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Aida A. Jolosheva PLACE OF BIRTH: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan DATE OF BIRTH: January 27, 1984 GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon University ofMaine DEGREES AWARDED: Master ofArts in International Studies, 2010, University of Oregon Master ofArts in Public Administration, 2010, University of Oregon Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management, 2009, University ofOregon Bachelor ofArts in Financial Economics, 2006, University ofMaine Bachelor ofArts in International AffairslEconomics, 2006, University ofMaine AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Comparative Development Microfinance Entrepreneurship Gender in Development Planning PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Graduate Teaching Fellow, Department ofInternational Studies, University of Oregon, September 2008 - June 2010 Intern, United Nations Peace and Development Programme, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, July 2009 Development Lending Group Intern, Mercy Corps, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, July ­ September 2008 GRANTS, AWARDS AND HONORS: Center on Diversity and Community, University of Oregon, 2009 PPPM Travel Grants, University ofOregon, 2009 v Carlton & Wilberta Ripley Savage Endowment for International Relations and Peace Fellow, University of Oregon, 2009 Clancy Thurber Award, University of Oregon, 2008-2009 Fighting Fund Fellowship, University of Oregon (2007-2008) Full International Tuition Scholarship, University ofMaine, 2002-2006 VI ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I express my sincere gratitude to my thesis committee chair Dr. Anita M. Weiss for providing me inspiration, a tremendous amount ofguidance, personal and academic support throughout my studies at the University of Oregon. I thank to Dr. Shankha Chakraborty and Dr. Laura Leete for their encouragement and their invaluable advice, which greatly improved my thesis. I am grateful to my friends in the International Studies Department, especially Aditi, Eli and Lia, who were there for me when I needed them the most through thesis chapter edits, suggestions, and moral support. I am extremely grateful to women and men who took time offto participate in my research and help me understand their struggles in building and expanding their entrepreneurships. This study would not have been successful without the love and support ofmy family. I am grateful to Sadyrova Ainakan Alymbekovna for being the most supportive mother, true friend, mentor, and for accompanying me to Osh, Uzgen and Talas (Pokrovka) for fieldwork. I am grateful to Sadyrova Gulnara Alymbekovna and Eshimbetova Kadicha Turganbaevna for helping me contact interviewees in their communities. VB I dedicate this thesis to my mother and to the women ofKyrgyzstan, whose courage and hard work continues to be a source ofstrength, admiration and inspiration for me. Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION . Research Questions................................................................................................ 4 Methodology 8 Methodological Notes: Validity and Other Issues 13 Choosing Research Sites........................................................................................ 14 Significance ofthe Study....................................................................................... 16 II. BRIEF ECONOMIC HISTORY OF KyRGyZSTAN........................................... 17 Country Profile....................................................................................................... 18 Historical Background: Kyrgyz Nomads............................................................... 20 Economic Reforms: During the Soviet Union 22 Economic Reforms: After Independence 27 Power Shift: the Tulip Revolution of2005............................................................ 30 Power Shift: April 7, 2010 Events.................................................... 31 What Lies Ahead? 33 IX Chapter Page III. MICROFINANCE AND THE PROMISE OF SOCIAL CHANGE 36 Microcredit and Development 36 Microfinance Models......................................... 40 Critiques ofMicrocredit......................................................................................... 44 Microcredit and Entrepreneurship 47 Microfinance in Kyrgyzstan: History and Actors 54 IV. CASE STUDIES: REGIONAL DIFFERENCES.................................................. 64 Case Study I: Osh and Uzgen, Multi-Ethnic Mixes............................................... 64 Overview ofOsh and Uzgen............................................................................ 64 Issues Addressed.............................................................................................. 67 Interview Details.............................................................................................. 69 Case Study II: Pokrovka, Border Issues 76 Overview ofPokrovka and Talas..................................................................... 76 Interview Details.............................................................................................. 78 V. INTERPRETATIONS AND CONCLUSION 85 APPENDICES 94 A. FOCUS GROUP ACTIVITY RESULTS 94 B. SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 97 BIBLIOGRAPHy........................................................................................................ 99 x LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Map ofKyrgyzstan 15 2. Kyrgyzstan in the world......................................................................................... 19 3. Map ofCentral Asia............................................................................................... 22 Xl LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Macroeconomic Indicators in Kyrgyzstan, 1991-1997.......................................... 29 2. Microcredit Institutions Client and Loan Portfolio Information............................ 58 3. Microfinance Organizations and their Loan Portfolios......................................... 61 1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The old Soviet education did not prepare us to the market-driven world. Many people who I studied with lost their jobs after the Soviet Union broke up. My wife and I were lucky we did not lose ourselves in chaos that was happening immediately after the independence. We secured a combination ofloans from private banks, nonprofit organizations and relatives to buy machinery from the local Soviet plants. The government was dismembering machinery and selling parts to private investors in and mostly outside ofthe country. We wanted to keep the machinery in the country. Later, I was part ofthe training program initiated by the USAID through Consulting & Co. I attended workshops in California, USA where I learned ways of organically growing and fertilizing crops. In 2008 we had American farmers as guests in our house. They showed lis techniques ofcanning tomatoes. The USAID program has been helping us to market and sell our products (Arnan Aliev' and Bubusara Alieva, interview notes, Uzgen, 2009). Kyrgyz entrepreneurs lack knowledge oftheir individual rights. They should learn about local and national laws, different roles and responsibilities ofvarious government agencies. I noticed that even people with advanced education and degrees can become victims ofexcessive "check-ups", taxes and unnecessary procedures (Clara Balykchieva, interview notes, Osh, 2009). 2 3 Entrepreneurs like Aman baike , Bubusara eje and Clara eje are a few examples ofmany struggling business owners in Kyrgyzstan. In the summer of2009 I set out to 1 Please note
Recommended publications
  • The Formation of Kyrgyz Foreign Policy 1991-2004

    The Formation of Kyrgyz Foreign Policy 1991-2004

    THE FORMATION OF KYRGYZ FOREIGN POLICY 1991-2004 A Thesis Presented to the Faculty Of The FletCher SChool of Law and DiplomaCy, Tufts University By THOMAS J. C. WOOD In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2005 Professor Andrew Hess (Chair) Professor John Curtis Perry Professor Sung-Yoon Lee ii Thomas J.C. Wood [email protected] Education 2005: Ph.D. Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University Dissertation Formation of Kyrgyz Foreign Policy 1992-2004 Supervisor, Professor Andrew Hess. 1993: M.A.L.D. Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University 1989: B.A. in History and Politics, University of Exeter, England. Experience 08/2014-present: Associate Professor, Political Science, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC. 09/2008-07/2014: Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC. 09/2006-05/2008: Visiting Assistant Professor, Political Science, Trinity College, Hartford, CT. 02/2005 – 04/2006: Program Officer, Kyrgyzstan, International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) Washington DC 11/2000 – 06/2004: Director of Faculty Recruitment and University Relations, Civic Education Project, Washington DC. 01/1998-11/2000: Chair of Department, Program in International Relations, American University – Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 08/1997-11/2000: Civic Education Project Visiting Faculty Fellow, American University- Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Languages Languages: Turkish (advanced), Kyrgyz (intermediate), Russian (basic), French (intermediate). iii ABSTRACT The Evolution of Kyrgyz Foreign PoliCy This empirical study, based on extensive field research, interviews with key actors, and use of Kyrgyz and Russian sources, examines the formation of a distinct foreign policy in a small Central Asian state, Kyrgyzstan, following her independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
  • Between Moscow and Baku: National Literatures at the 1934 Congress of Soviet Writers

    Between Moscow and Baku: National Literatures at the 1934 Congress of Soviet Writers

    Between Moscow and Baku: National Literatures at the 1934 Congress of Soviet Writers by Kathryn Douglas Schild A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Slavic Languages and Literatures in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Harsha Ram, Chair Professor Irina Paperno Professor Yuri Slezkine Fall 2010 ABSTRACT Between Moscow and Baku: National Literatures at the 1934 Congress of Soviet Writers by Kathryn Douglas Schild Doctor of Philosophy in Slavic Languages and Literatures University of California, Berkeley Professor Harsha Ram, Chair The breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 reminded many that “Soviet” and “Russian” were not synonymous, but this distinction continues to be overlooked when discussing Soviet literature. Like the Soviet Union, Soviet literature was a consciously multinational, multiethnic project. This dissertation approaches Soviet literature in its broadest sense – as a cultural field incorporating texts, institutions, theories, and practices such as writing, editing, reading, canonization, education, performance, and translation. It uses archival materials to analyze how Soviet literary institutions combined Russia’s literary heritage, the doctrine of socialist realism, and nationalities policy to conceptualize the national literatures, a term used to define the literatures of the non-Russian peripheries. It then explores how such conceptions functioned in practice in the early 1930s, in both Moscow and Baku, the capital of Soviet Azerbaijan. Although the debates over national literatures started well before the Revolution, this study focuses on 1932-34 as the period when they crystallized under the leadership of the Union of Soviet Writers.
  • Rural Youth Within Changing Education, Formal Labour Market and Informal Economic Conditions During Postsocialist Transformation Period in the Kyrgyz Republic

    Rural Youth Within Changing Education, Formal Labour Market and Informal Economic Conditions During Postsocialist Transformation Period in the Kyrgyz Republic

    Rural Youth Within Changing Education, Formal Labour Market and Informal Economic Conditions During Postsocialist Transformation Period in the Kyrgyz Republic by Rakhat Zholdoshalieva A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education Department of Social Justice Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Rakhat Zholdoshalieva 2016 Rural Youth within Changing Education, Formal Labour Market and Informal Economic Conditions during Post-Soviet Transformation Period in the Kyrgyz Republic Doctor of Education 2016 Rakhat Zholdoshalieva Department of Social Justice Education University of Toronto Abstract This qualitative case study examines the experiences, expectations and aspirations of education, employment, and future prospects of a group of rural youth growing up in the postsocialist era in southern Kyrgyzstan. Despite popular conceptions that youth are the authors of their life projects with an abundance of choice (Du Bois Reymond, 1995), the socially determining categories of social class, gender, ethnicity, and place still structure these choices and shape the life chances of contemporary youth (Roberts, 2010). This study shows how the postsocialist transformation has increased the burdens and uncertainties of young people and undermined the stability and security of their futures (DeYoung, 2010; Korzh, 2014; Roche, 2014; Walker, 2011). It identifies educational and social inequalities persisting from traditional Kyrgyz and Soviet society, as
  • Literary Culture and Social Change Among the Northern Kyrgyz, 1856-1924

    Literary Culture and Social Change Among the Northern Kyrgyz, 1856-1924

    Visions of Community: Literary Culture and Social Change among the Northern Kyrgyz, 1856-1924 Jipar Duishembieva A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Washington 2015 Reading Committee: Elena Campbell, Chair Glennys Young Ali Igmen Program Authorized to offer Degree: Near and Middle Eastern Studies Program ©Copyright 2015 Jipar Duishembieva University of Washington Abstract Visions of Community: Literary Culture and Social Change among the Northern Kyrgyz, 1856-1924 Jipar Duishembieva Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Elena Campbell, Associate Professor Department of History This dissertation examines the transformations in the northern Kyrgyz society and culture between the mid-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. I explore how a deeply-held and territorially-oriented sense of collective belonging among the Kyrgyz developed within the Russian imperial context through the efforts of the Kyrgyz poets and intellectuals during the late tsarist period. I search for this sense of collective belonging in the literary culture of the northern Kyrgyz. In the absence of written culture, oral tradition served as the primary depository of the northern Kyrgyz collective memory. Oral poets were the ones who shaped group identities and created various versions of Kyrgyzness based on culture, lifestyle, religious belief, social practices, and moral values. By the late imperial period, these existing conceptions of Kyrgyzness served as a fertile ground for the first generation of Kyrgyz intellectuals to develop their own visions of Kyrgyz community. They started collecting and writing what they believed to be the history of their people, thus contributing to the creation of the nationalistic narrative and participating in a broader discourse on the nation in the intellectual circles of the Central Asian elites.
  • The Kyrgyz Republic Kirgiz Respublikası

    The Kyrgyz Republic Kirgiz Respublikası

    Country in a Box: The Kyrgyz Republic Kirgiz Respublikası Tash Rabat in Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan A Teacher’s Guide Compiled by the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University http://ceres.georgetown.edu 1 Kyrgyzstan in a Box: Table of Contents Facts at a Glance 3-6 History of Kyrgyzstan 7-10 Timeline of Major Events in Kyrgyz History 11 Kyrgyz Culture 12-14 Folklore: The Manas Epic 15-16 Additional Resources 17 “Rich Kyrgyz Hunter with Eagle” Painting by Vasily Vereshchagin (1842-1904) 2 Kyrgyzstan: Facts at a Glance _______ Text and map taken directly from Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook: Kyrgyzstan. Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/kg.html Country Name: Kyrgyz Republic Capital: Bishkek Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar Akaev, who had run the country since 1990. Former prime minister Kurmanbek Bakiev overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, Bakiev won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed.
  • Sacred Sites of Ysyk-Köl: Spiritual Power, Pilgrimage, and Art

    Sacred Sites of Ysyk-Köl: Spiritual Power, Pilgrimage, and Art

    8AIGINE CULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER SACRED SITES OF YSYK-KÖL: SPIRITUAL POWER, PILGRIMAGE, AND ART Editors: Gulnara Aitpaeva Aida Egemberdieva Bishkek-2009 © 2009 Aigine Cultural Research Center 93 Toktogul st., Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 720040 The research and this publication were supported by The Christensen Fund, 394 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA This book has been reviewed in the Department of Archeology and Ethnography of the Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the authors‘ permission. Chief Editor of the Project: Gulnara Aitpaeva Editors: Gulnara Aitpaeva, Doctor of Philology Aida Egemberdieva, Candidate of Philology The English version of the book was prepared by: Izabella Mier-Jędrzejowicz, Guljan Kudabaeva, Aida Alymbaeva Based on the Kyrgyz version: Ысык-Кµлдµг‰ ыйык жерлер: касиет, зыярат, µнµр; and Russian version: Святые места Иссык-Куля: паломничество, дар, мастерство. MB Sacred Sites of Ysyk-Köl: Spiritual Power, Pilgrimage, and Art. ISBN Kyrgyzstan Book House codes: UDK BBK M M CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE EDITORS....................................................................7 FOREWORD.................................................................................................9 PART I..........................................................................................................14 CHAPTER 1. SACRED SITES OF THE YSYK-KÖL............................14 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................14
  • Spirited Performance Proefschrift

    Spirited Performance Proefschrift

    Tilburg University Spirited performance van der Heide, N. Publication date: 2008 Link to publication in Tilburg University Research Portal Citation for published version (APA): van der Heide, N. (2008). Spirited performance: The Manas epic and society in Kyrgyztan. Rozenberg. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 25. sep. 2021 Spirited Performance The Manas epic and society in Kyrgyzstan © 2008 N. van der Heide Cover design by: Esther van Efferink Photography by: Timothy Scott Photographs of: Great Manaschï Kaba Atabekov and Manaschï Talantaalï Bakchiev All rights reserved. Save exceptions stated by the law, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of any nature, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, included a complete or partial transcription, without the prior written permission of the author, application for which should be addressed to the author.

  • Impact Evaluation of the Livingsidebyside Peacebuilding Educational Programme in Kyrgyzstan

    Impact evaluation of the Livingsidebyside peacebuilding educational programme in Kyrgyzstan Anastasia Aladysheva, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Gulzhan Asylbek Kyzy, SIPRI Tilman Brück, International Security and Development Center Damir Esenaliev, SIPRI Jamilya Karabaeva, SIPRI Winnie Leung, SIPRI Eleonora Nillesen, Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology Grantee Final Report Accepted by 3ie: August 2017 1 Note to readers This final impact evaluation grantee report has been submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of grant PW2.13 awarded under Policy Window 2. 3ie is making it available to the public in this final report version as it was received. All content is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not represent the opinions of 3ie, its donors or its board of commissioners. Any errors and omissions are the sole responsibility of the authors. All affiliations of the authors listed in the title page are those that were in effect at the time the report was submitted. Please direct all comments or queries to the corresponding author, Anastasia Aladysheva at [email protected] 3ie received funding for the Open Window from our donors, which include UK aid, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. A complete listing of all of 3ie’s donors is available on the 3ie website. Suggested citation: Aladysheva, A, Kyzy, GA, Brück, T, Esenaliev, D, Karabaeva, J, Leung, W and Nillesen, E 2017. Impact evaluation of the Livingsidebyside peacebuilding educational programme in Kyrgyzstan, 3ie Grantee Final Report. New Delhi: International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) 2 Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge our partner research team at the University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, specifically Roman Mogilevsky, Kanat Tilekeyev, Bakhrom Mirkasimov, Aida Bolotbekova and Shoola Dzhumaeva.
  • 31 Literature in Turkic and Mongolian

    31 Literature in Turkic and Mongolian

    ISBN 92-3-103985-7 LITERATURE IN TURKIC 31 LITERATURE IN TURKIC AND MONGOLIAN R. Dor and G. Kara Contents LITERATURE IN TURKIC .............................. 888 Urban literature ..................................... 889 The literature of the steppe and mountains ....................... 893 Conclusion ....................................... 896 LITERATURE IN MONGOLIAN ........................... 897 Inner Mongolia and Dzungaria ............................. 907 Kalmukia ........................................ 909 Buriatia ......................................... 910 Part One LITERATURE IN TURKIC (R. Dor) The Turkish word literatür has bureaucratic connotations. It conjures up an image of great heaps and drifts of paper, instructions, memoranda, working papers and much more 888 ISBN 92-3-103985-7 Urban literature of the like, none of it of any conceivable relevance, none of it of any further use or any lasting interest. The purpose of this preliminary remark is to illustrate the vast conceptual distance separating us from anything that can reasonably be referred to as ‘the Turkic literature of Central Asia’. If, indeed, such a concept is graspable at all, for it seems highly unlikely that literature as such can ever be intuitively understood in its full extension, as it were encapsulated, at any particular moment. In the geographic region that is the subject of our present concern, however, there is a word that summarizes and defines literature in the conventional sense, and that is adabiyat¯ . Adabiyat¯ originally denoted a practical standard of conduct, one that was doubly resonant in that it purported simultaneously to inculcate virtue and to have been handed down from previous generations. The Turkic literature of Central Asia is thus primarily a form of humanitas, i.e. a sum of knowledge that imparts urbanity and courteous behaviour to the individual.
  • Perspectives , Consequences

    Perspectives , Consequences

    T H E C O N F L I C T I N S O U T H K Y R G Y Z S T A N T E N Y E A R S O N : P E R S P E C T I V E S , C O N S E Q U E N C E S , A C T I O N S The Conflict in South Kyrgyzstan Ten Years on: Perspectives, Consequences, Actions Translated and edited by Aksana Ismailbekova and Philipp Lottholz Introduction In June of this year, the conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan, which came to be known as ‘Osh’ or ‘June events’ is marking its tenth anniversary. From the direct aftermath of this conflict to this day, these events and the violence, death and destruction of property they have wrought, but also questions about accountability for their emergence have been subject to controversial discussions. Questions about the necessary and appropriate measured to end the conflict and prevent its re- emergence and, in a more long-term perspective, on how to achieve reconciliation of affected communities and build sustainable peace have been debates widely both in Kyrgyzstan and in international expert, academic and activist circles. Against this background, the present discussion forum is devoted to reflection on the conflict itself, its consequences, and its reception and debates on it in Kyrgyzstan and in the international arena. The main goal of our discussion is to preserve the memory of these events and to raise awareness of their ongoing consequences. The contributions written by a group of four Kyrgyz and two foreign scholars offer both personal accounts and systematic analyses of the enormous changes that have occurred as a result of the conflict.
  • Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan (Historical Dictionaries of Asia

    Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan (Historical Dictionaries of Asia

    History ASIA ABAZOV ASIAN/OCEANIAN HISTORICAL DICTIONARIES, NO. 49 he modern history of Kyrgyzstan resembles the “great game” played by the British and Russian empires for domination in central Asia. For centuries, the land populated by Kyrgyzs was T Dictionary Historical fragmented among various political entities, and at the end of the 19th century the Russian empire acquired control of the region. In 1991 Kyrgyzstan declared its independence and began building a democratic and market-oriented state, but the newly independent country soon found itself the subject of a political competition for influence among of KYRGYZSTAN powers such as China, Russia, and the United States. This competition resulted in the establishment of U.S. and Russian military airbases in Kyrgyzstan’s territory, in what some analysts describe as a new round of the great game. The Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan is the first comprehensive refer- ence book on this pivotal country, providing superb up-to-date details about the key players and issues in contemporary domestic and interna- tional politics. The dictionary consists of approximately 300 entries and is cross-referenced for ease of use by both experienced scholars and young students interested in the complicated and captivating history of Kyrgyzs and the Kyrgyz land. The substantial bibliography will assist readers in finding materials and resources in specialized subject areas. Rafis Abazov is a visiting scholar at the Harriman Institute at Columbia University, New York. He is the author of two books and numerous arti- cles in Kazakhstani, Russian, and other international academic journals. He has contributed articles to the Encyclopaedia of Modern Asia and the Encyclopaedia of National Economies.
  • Turkiyat 7 Gulnisa Jamal.Indd

    Turkiyat 7 Gulnisa Jamal.Indd

    Marmara Türkiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi • Cilt II, Sayı 2 • Sonbahar 2015 • ISSN 2148-6743 • ss. 143-157 DOI 10.16985/MTAD.2016225603 KYRGYZ STUDIES OF KUTADGU BILIG: A ROAD TO NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE STATUS* Gulnisa JAMAL** Abstract Kutadgu Bilig has been one of the academic interests of Kyrgyzstan for over half a century. The study of its linguistic features, philosophical concepts, and comparative translation has reached a certain level of fruition. Specifically, the production of dozens of research papers revolved around Kyrgyz associations with Kutadgu Bilig in terms of language, history, and culture, discussing whether the work is part of the cultural heritage owned by more than one Turkic people and how the Kyrgyz people should see this lite- rary masterpiece. Under governmental interventions, long years of persistent studies and intense debates ultimately led to Kyrgyzstan’s official recognition of the work as part of the Kyrgyz national intangible cultural heritage, not the shared Turkic heritage as thought earlier. Key words: Kutadgu Bilig, Research, Kyrgyzstan, Literary Heritage. KIRGIZ ÇALIŞMALARI AÇISINDAN KUTADGU BİLİG: MİLLİ KÜLTÜREL STATÜSÜNE DOĞRU BİR YOL Özet Kutadgu Bilig, yarım asırdan daha uzun bir süre boyunca Kırgızistan’ın akademik ilgi alanlarından biri olmuştur. Dilsel özellikleri, felsefi kavramları ve karşılaştırmalı tercümeleri yönündeki çalışmalar, belli bir doyum noktasına ulaşmıştır. Kutadgu Bilig’in tek bir Türk toplumundan çok daha fazlası tarafından sahiplenilen kültürel mirasın bir parçası olup olmadığı ve Kırgız halkının bunu nasıl edebi bir başyapıt olarak görmesi gerektiği tartışılırken, Kutadgu Bilig ile ilgili dil, tarih ve kültürel açıdan yazılan onlarca araştırma makalesi ürünü, Kırgız kuruluşların (makamların) etrafında oluşmuştur. Devlet müdahaleleri altında uzun yıllar süren ısrarlı çalışmalar ve yoğun tartışmalar, daha önce düşünüldüğü gibi Türk mirası olarak değil, Kırgız millî somut olmayan kültürel mirasının bir parçası olarak Kırgızistan tarafından resmen tanınması sonucunu doğurmuştur.