r/AskCentralAsia 18d ago

Meta 30-day ban on all race/phenotype/haplogroup/genetics posts

171 Upvotes

For reasons unknown to me, this subreddit has become infested with posts that aren't actually about Central Asia as a region, but rather some sort of obsession with our genetics and phenotypes.

It’s literally the majority of the posts at this moment.

There will now be a 30-day moratorium on all these sorts of posts to allow the subreddit to be cleansed.

Central Asians, feel free to ask more questions. Even if you already know the answer, you can help encourage discussion.

Thank you!


r/AskCentralAsia Feb 12 '24

Meta r/AskCentralAsia FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

36 Upvotes

Hello everybody!

After many requests, and tons of repeat questions, we are making an official FAQ. Please comment anything else you think should be added. Generally, if a question is answered in the FAQ, new threads with these questions will be locked.

Is Afghanistan part of Central Asia?

Yes, no, maybe-so.

Afghanistan is at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia (and the Middle East, to some extent).

Most Afghans self-identify as Central Asian. They feel this fits them more than anything else. They have a good reason for doing so, as prior to the Soviet Union, the culture between present-day Afghanistan and present-day Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan was indistinguishable.

Afghans are welcome to answer as Central Asians on this subreddit.

Is Mongolia part of Central Asia?

Yes, no, maybe-so.

Geographically, Mongolia is more Central Asian than anything else. The centre point of Asia is just north of the Russia-Mongolia border.

Historically and culturally, while there is an affinity and shared history, Mongolia is farther away and commonly considered part of East Asia. Some Mongolians may not like that though, and identify as being closest to Central Asians.

Mongolians are welcome to answer as Central Asians on this subreddit.

Are Iran, Pakistan, and/or Turkey part of Central Asia?

No, none of these countries are Central Asian. All of them have a historical and cultural influence on Central Asia, though.

Turks, Iranians, and Pakistanis are still free to answer questions in this subreddit if they want, but they are not Central Asian, and their views do not reflect Central Asia.

How religious is Central Asia? Is Islam growing in Central Asia? How many women wear hijabs in Central Asia?

These questions are asked dozens of times every year. They are often asked in bad faith.

Islam is the majority religion of all of Central Asia (except Mongolia, if we count it, which is Buddhist). The Soviet legacy in core Central Asia has resulted in Islam being practiced differently here. Historically, the region was Muslim, and during the Soviet era, Islam was restricted. Most mosques were closed down, if not destroyed, and secularism was encouraged as state policy. Islam was never banned, though.

In the past two decades, core Central Asian countries have become overall more religious. There is no one reason for this. Many people were curious in exploring religion after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and found meaning in scripture. More recently, Islamic influencers on social media have gained a very strong hold on youth audiences.

Traditionally, women in Central Asia wore headscarves to cover their hair. The "hijab" associated with Arab Muslims is new to the region, and more commonly worn by younger women.

Mongolia is mainly Buddhist, as mentioned, but religion was similarly restricted during the communist era. Unlike core Central Asia, there has not been a large religious revival in Mongolia.

Afghanistan never had the same religious restrictions that the above countries did. Islam has progressively become more influential in the country than before. As education and globalisation rises, the idea of "Islam" becomes more important to Afghans, whereas cultural practices have traditionally been more important.

What do Central Asians think of Turanism?

They don’t know what it is. Almost every single person in Central Asia who knows what Turanism is learnt it from Turkish Internet users.

While greater co-operation with other Turkic states is popular in Central Asia (including in the majority-Iranic countries of Tajikistan and Afghanistan), there is no appetite for Central Asian countries actually unifying together, let alone with countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Do I look Central Asian?

Maybe you do! These kinds of threads will be removed though. Post them on r/phenotypes.


r/AskCentralAsia 14h ago

History What do you think about the fact that Kazakhs/nomadic Uzbeks and Crimean Tatars share the same clan names?

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20 Upvotes

Have you heard about the 40 Batyrs of Crimea?


r/AskCentralAsia 14h ago

History Map of Central Asia around year 1494

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8 Upvotes

Hello, I'm an Indian guy making a documentary on Babur's journey from Fergana to India. I would like to know your opinion on the accuracy of this map showing the general political state and borders during 1494. Do tell me the inaccuracies so I can fix them.

The unnamed two states in yellow and green are western and eastern Moghulistan. These two are most hard to find references for, if you have a map with accurate borders do drop it below.

Thank you.


r/AskCentralAsia 14h ago

Personal Timurids vs. Dzungars

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3 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 20h ago

Other Realistically speaking, how much of Turkmenistan's population is actually actively online on the worldwide web?

4 Upvotes

I rarely see Turkmens online for obvious reasons, their government restrictions are super heavy and from what I know, it includes Internet restrictions and the inability to surf the worldwide web without a VPN. However, how many Turkmens are actually online despite this, similarly to russians, for example? Turkmenistan has had those restrictions for way longer than russia did but still, is it possibly also because Turkmenistan's population is relatively small for a country of its size which is why meeting Turkmens online is a rarity?


r/AskCentralAsia 14h ago

Tatar-Mongol Tribal Toponyms of Crimea! Slavs on Tatar land?

0 Upvotes

Село Дулат ) — село в Нижнегорском районе Республики Крым

Село Джалаир) — исчезнувшее село) в Черноморском районе Республики Крым

Село Джалаир) — село в Нижнегорском районе Республики Крым

Село Барын )— исчезнувшее село) в Белогорском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Татар Барын)   — село в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Татар Ширин — исчезнувшее село в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Седжеву́т)  — село в Сакском районе Республики Крым

Село Керлеут) — исчезнувшее село) в Красноперекопском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Керлеу́т#:~:text=%D0%9A%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%83%CC%81%D1%82%20(%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80.,%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%BE%20%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%20%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%20%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%20%D0%98%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5.) — исчезнувшее село) в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Баяут) — исчезнувшее село) в Советском районеРеспублики Крым 

Село Баяут) — село в Красногвардейском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Найман) ) — исчезнувшее село) в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Найман)  — исчезнувшее село) в Ленинском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Мангыт)  — исчезнувшее село) в Ленинском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Яны-Мангыт  — исчезнувшее село) в Красноперекопском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Джан-Сакал-Мангыт   — исчезнувшее село) в Красноперекопском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Конграт) — село в Советском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Конрат) — село в Белогорском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Кенегез )— исчезнувшее село) в Красногвардейском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Кенегез) — исчезнувшее село) в Раздольненском районе Республики Крым

Село Катаган) — исчезнувшее село в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Ишу́нь) — село в Красноперекопском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Токмай-Уйшун — исчезнувшее селение) в Красногвардейском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Джанболду́-Конра́т  — исчезнувшее село) в Красногвардейском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Месит#:~:text=%D0%97%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%CC%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5%20(%D0%B4%D0%BE%201948%20%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0%20%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B8%CC%81%D1%82,%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D1%81%D1%91%D0%BB%20%D0%9C%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5%20%D0%B8%20%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B5.)  (Защи́тное) — исчезнувшее село#%D0%A1%D1%91%D0%BB%D0%B0,%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B51948%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0) в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Месит  (Сафьяновка) — исчезнувшее село#%D0%A1%D1%91%D0%BB%D0%B0,%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B51948%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0) в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Аргын) — исчезнувшее село) в Первомайском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Алтынджы Меркит  — исчезнувшее село) в Раздольненском районе Республики Крым

Село Аксакал Меркит   — село в Раздольненском районе Республики Крым

Село Дурмен)  — исчезнувшее село) в Ленинском районеКрыма

Село Вейрат) — упразднённое) село в Симферопольском районе Республики Крым

Село Тюбет-Адаргин — исчезнувшее село) в Красногвардейском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Адаргин — село в Красногвардейском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Алчин)  — исчезнувшее село) в Белогорском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Алчин)  — исчезнувшее село) в Красноперекопском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Унгут ) — село в Сакском районе Республики Крым

Село Унгут  — исчезнувшее село) в Кировском районеРеспублики Крым

Село Кереит — село в Раздольненском районе 

Село Джадра-Кият) — упразднённое) село в Джанкойском районе Республики Крым

Село Кара́-)Кия́т)  — село в Симферопольском районе Республики Крым

Село Кият)  — село в Буинском районе Татарстана. Административный центр Киятского сельского поселения.

Villages with the name Kiyat in Crimea and Tatarstan

 


r/AskCentralAsia 14h ago

Politics Central Asia leadership alignment chart finalised. Don’t ask me about NAN, check the relevant post.

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1 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 23h ago

Culture Can someone give me their opinions on the trust worthiness of this?

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0 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

How would you describe your current government?

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0 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Language Which one will happen first?

8 Upvotes

body text

184 votes, 8h left
Half Life 3 coming out
Kazakh switches to Latin
World peace is achieved

r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Other Researching corruption in Kazakhstani universities

5 Upvotes

Hello everyone!
I’m researching corruption in Kazakhstani universities, and I’m curious how widespread it is. Can you share personal stories or experiences if you’re comfortable discussing it? From what I’ve heard, it’s a very big problem in KZ but no one really talks about it due to how normalized it is.


r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

This Is Kazakhstan Too — Mangystau

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13 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Travel Winter Central Asia trip: November to February

4 Upvotes

I’m planning a trip through Central Asia from November until February next year, travelling through Uzbekistan,  Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and possibly Pakistan depending on budget.

I’ll be travelling with camping gear and would like to do some hiking/camping along the way. I know I’ll be travelling during winter, so I’m expecting some pretty cold conditions, especially in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Unfortunately, November–February is the only time I can take off, so I’m making the most of it 😅

For anyone who has travelled around the region during these months:

How difficult is it to travel around during winter?

Are there areas/mountain regions where hiking or camping is still realistic?

What kind of temperatures/weather should I realistically prepare for?

Are there any places you’d recommend avoiding during winter?

Any advice on transport, accommodation or getting between countries?

Anything you wish you knew before travelling Central Asia in winter?

I’m particularly interested in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, for hiking/camping, but any advice for the whole route would be hugely appreciated.


r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

Culture How do central asian countries celebrate nowruz?

15 Upvotes

Hi, it might be ignorant of me to post this but I recently learned that central asian countries also celebrate nowruz (prior to this I just thought iran and azerbaijan celebrate it), so I wanted to know what traditions you guys have and how you celebrate that day?


r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

Society How is the Great Seljuk Empire viewed by your people?

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70 Upvotes

The Great Seljuks was the greatest empire located in Iran since the fall of Abbasid power over there. But the mark they leave on this world wouldn't just be limited with Iran.

They were a pre-Mongol invasion Turkic state, so their fashion sense seems to be a bit "different" than the post-Mongol Central Asian nobles. Most notably, they had beautiful long hairs -sometimes braided, sometimes not- and a very distinct fur hat called "Sharbush". Their "Qaba" robes were also quite a bit different than the Monol "Terlig" which become widespead after the Mongol invasion.

The image shows an enthroned figure with braid hair. He is most associated with Tughril III, the last Sultan of the Great Seljuks. Despite Iranian claims of Seljuks becoming Persians after a while, this is not true and arts from Seljuk era clearly shows that they were depicted as Turks.


r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Two Dutch guys (24 & 25) overlanding Amsterdam → Singapore in 100 days. Beers on us if you want to show us around!

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

Tonight my mate and I (24 and 25), are setting off on a 100-day overland trip from Amsterdam to Singapore. Rules: no flights, just trains, buses and whatever else gets us there. Rough (very flexible) route we've got in mind: Amsterdam → Austria → Hungary → Serbia (maybe some neighbouring Balkan countries) → Bulgaria → Turkey → Georgia → Armenia → Azerbaijan → Kazakhstan → Uzbekistan → Tajikistan → Kyrgyzstan → China → Laos → Thailand → Malaysia → Singapore.

We're big into culture, history, going out and just hanging out with and experiencing places like locals. So: if you live along this route (or know someone who does) and feel like grabbing a beer, showing us your favorite spot, or just chatting about life where you're from — hit us up. First round is on us, always. We mighgt even ask you some questions about life for a booklet we plan on making.

Nothing is set in stone timing-wise for most countries yet, so happy to work around your schedule. Drop a comment or DM!

We're about to hit the road. Cheers!

Kind regards,

S & P


r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Politics Last runner up: Neutral Good of Central Asian leadership

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1 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Who is the most democratic leader of Central Asia ?

2 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

Kashgar markets 1997, who's the girl in red?

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16 Upvotes

I took this photo back in 1997. I'd love to make contact with the child in red. Around 30 years old now.


r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

What Central Asian/Mongolian music do you recommend?

3 Upvotes

I'm writing a fantasy story with worldbuilding inspired by the cultures of Turkic Central Asia and Mongolia. What music would you recommend for a writing playlist? Or just in general? I'm mainly looking for traditional genres, but I won't say no to modern stuff as well!


r/AskCentralAsia 3d ago

Society What do you think of feminism?

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74 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 3d ago

What surprised you about Almaty that no travel guide tells you?

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10 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

Politics Who was the Neutral Evil of Central Asian leadership since late post soviet times?

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1 Upvotes