Socio-cultural life of Gypsies in southern Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

This study is an empirical work based on on-the-spot observation, participation and interview. It also makes use of the studies conducted in Kyrgyzstan on the Gypsies.

Kyrgyzstan is a small country with a population of about five million. Yet, the population includes diverse ethnic groups, one of which is the Gypsies. The Gypsies in Kyrgyzstan are dominantly settled to the south of the country. Accordingly, we focus on the Gypsies of southern Kyrgyzstan in this study. Socio-economic characteristics, professions, religious beliefs and marital customs and traditions of the Gypsies of southern Kyrgyzstan were investigated. Moreover, the names under which the Gypsies worldwide are called, their origins and when and how they came to the Central Asia were also discussed.