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List of Maps, Figures and TablesPrefaceAcknowledgementsIntroductionChapter 1. A Historical Sketch of the Uzbeks: From Nomadic Conquerors to Post-socialist FarmersChapter 2. A Central Asian Melting Pot: The Oasis of BukharaChapter 3. Desperation at the End of the World?The Oasis of KhorezmChapter 4. Conflict Inevitable?The Ferghana ValleyChapter 5. Birthplace of a National Hero: The Oasis of SharisabzConclusionBibliographyIndex

Throughout its history the concept of Uzbekness, or more generally of a Turkic-speaking sedentary population, has continuously attracted members of other groups to join, as being Uzbek promises opportunities to enlarge ones social network. Accession is comparatively easy, as Uzbekness is grounded in a cultural model of territoriality, rather than genealogy, as the basis for social attachments. It acknowledges regional variation and the possibility of membership by voluntary decision. Therefore, the boundaries of being Uzbek vary almost by definition, incorporating elements of local languages, cultural patterns and social organization. This book combines an historical analysis with thorough ethnographic field research, looking at differences in the conceptualization of group boundaries and the social practices they entail. It does so by analysing decision-making processes by Uzbeks on the individual as well as cognitive level and the political configurations that surround them.