Qaraqalpaqs of the Aral Delta

The Qaraqalpaqs are a Turkic minority inhabiting the huge southern delta of the former Aral Sea. In recent decades, however, their lands have been turned into desert as the sea itself became desiccated - one of the major environmental disasters of our generation. Despite their hardscrabble lives, the Qaraqalpaqs have a thriving artistic culture. This rigorously researched volume introduces western readers for the first time to the vibrant textiles, costumes, weavings, jewellery and furnishings of this formerly nomadic people. Filled with photographs taken on location in the yurts in which the Qaraqalpaqs live and from museum collections in Uzbekistan and Russia, many of which are previously unpublished, the book aims to sweep away the myths surrounding their history and culture. The dazzling objects reproduced in this book demonstrate that the Qaraqalpaqs' folk art is every bit as fascinating and worthy as that of their more visible neighbours the Kazaks, Uzbeks, and Turkmen. This deluxe book is certain to become the standard reference work on this fascinating people and their culture.