1st Edition

Daghestan Tradition and Survival

By Robert Chenciner Copyright 1997
    324 Pages
    by Routledge

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    Daghestan is home to more than 30 distinct peoples. Each has their own language yet they share a surprisingly homogeneous culture that has both withstood and absorbed centuries of external influences. A fascinating account of change and adaptation in the villages of this area.

    Foreword Map of villages. Introduction: survival and tradition 2. Kung-fu in the evenings: the strongman cult 3. Inventing the wheelbarrow: women and sex in the mountains 4. A way to be born 5. ... and a way to die 6. King Khosrows' dumplings: food & feasts 7. Familiar surroundings 8. ... and cosmic-domestic textiles 9. Capes, masks & costumes 10. Fighting dogs and magic beasts 11. The society of godless zealots 12. The secret garden of Botlikh 13. New nationalism for old nations 14. Afterword: Daghestan avoids violence & the Russian-Chechen War

    Biography

    Robert Chenciner

    'The author is a great story-teller, relating with enthusiasm about his travelling. "Daghestan: tradition and survival" can be seen as a first step, encouraging us to study the languages, culture, traditions and politics of this area in further detail.' - Helma van den Berg, Bibliotheca Orientalis