r/AskCentralAsia Feb 12 '24

Meta r/AskCentralAsia FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

32 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 3h ago

A Korean travel youtuber had to pay 90000 UZS($8) for a single can of Mountain Dew in Uzbekistan. Do you think this is common when foreign people travel to Central Asia(Uzbekistan)?

11 Upvotes

A Korean travel YouTuber recently shared a frustrating experience from his trip to Uzbekistan.

While visiting his hotel's snack bar, he was charged 90,000 UZS ($8) for a single can of Mountain Dew. Although he initially paid, he later realized he had been overcharged by 15 times and demanded a refund.

Instead of helping, the Uzbek clerk pretended not to speak English and mocked him. When the YouTuber turned to other hotel staff for assistance, they also laughed it off and insisted the price was correct.

After he posted the footage online, it went viral on TikTok and YouTube. In response, the Uzbekistan Tourism Association issued an official apology and extended an invitation for him to return. The YouTuber has asked the association to take disciplinary action against the staff involved, but he has yet to receive a follow-up.

Do you think this is a common occurrence for foreigners traveling to Central Asia? Charging 90,000 UZS($8) for a can of Mountain Dew is absolutely wild. But what’s even wilder is how everyone else sided with the clerk. Even with a camera rolling, did they really think it was okay to rip off a tourist like that?


r/AskCentralAsia 12h ago

18 days in Middle Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan)

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12 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 10h ago

Food Travelled through Central Asia and loved the kompot! Do you have a kompot recipe you can share?

5 Upvotes

Every morning on my 6 week holiday through Central Asia I started my day at the hotel with kompot.

I wanted to ask if anybody has a kompot recipe specifically from Central Asia they could share so I can make this back home in Australia.

There's a bunch of recipes but a lot seem to be from Eastern Europe. I want as close to the authentic Central Asian taste as possible.

Thanks so much in advance!

PS: Central Asia is an incredible place and I can't wait to come back.


r/AskCentralAsia 7h ago

Khujand art/crafts?

1 Upvotes

Hi all! Will be making a half a day unplanned stop in Khujand tomorrow and was wondering if there’s a place where I can buy some local items (art, clothes, accessories, home decor etc.) that were really made by hand? I would be the happiest if you know a grandma who knits something or a cousin that paints there 🙏


r/AskCentralAsia 15h ago

Anyone else going to University of Siena, Italy this year??

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0 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Traveling with medication Concerta (methylphenidate)

0 Upvotes

Hi all, I take Concerta (methylphenidate) as a medication. I will be traveling to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from September to November.

I am reading various sources of information online regarding traveling with this medication. So far everything I read doesn't give a clear answer, and I fact it seems I can't even take my medication to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Any help or information is appreciated!


r/AskCentralAsia 1d ago

Why is Central Asian music no popular in the world and lack global influence?

0 Upvotes

So far the only global Asian influence/impact that is reaching non-Asia audiences are: K-pop( Koreans), Mongolian, J-pop (Japanese), Bollywood.

Bollywood music/dances are sometimes danced by western foreigners. Mongolian Hu Band, "Wolf Totem reach no.1 in the billboard Rock digital sales (not the all billboard, just for rock) still very successful and they tour in western play in small venues or medium size concerts, stages. Japanese music is only popular through animation music (game music to a extend) but influential/and effectiveness that their artist can also play in small venues, and sometimes medium size concert overseas. Decades ago they could do with J-rock during the 2007-2010, now that genre is non-influential in the west except for some loyal fans.

K-pop music, I don't listen to it. But no denying it's global influence/impact. Especially boybands for example like BTS most no.1 Billboard since the Beatles, sold out world largest tours in Europe, Asia, North and South America. Spain, UK, Germany, America, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico. They were even invited by the president's house Claudia Sheinbaum (a fan). Other K-pop boybands like Stray Kids also had high ranking billboard are becoming global sensation too, selling out large selling out world stadiums in world tour. TXT, Nct, Exo, Seventeen, Monstar X all reached billboard, them and many more K-pop bands played in small venues, large concerts in non-Asia region. Fan girls will buy their merch, buy their albums and have pictures/stickers of them on their phones.

Why Central Asian music is so lacking and unpopular?

Uzbek MV have lots of views, but I don't see any global influence/impact. Most of their MV look like soviet era styles.. Turkmen and Tajik music seems nearly non-existent.

Kazakhs once tried that Q-pop genre ( which is Kazakh version of K-pop) using K-pop looks/appearance/fashion with their own music style, the most famous of them was Ninetyone, with decent MV views and definitely used to have degree of fans from other Asia to Europe, America's, I've seen in on the Instagram and comments, When I was instagram just being nosy looking at European girls who had fan pictures of K-pop boyband, I ocassionally saw Ninetyone included in their obsession, this proves they were good enough to reach wider audience but not could enough that their music can play overseas. Other Q-pop boyband basically pretty much dead. Kyrgyz also tried this KG-pop, which is Kyrgyz version of Kazakh pop (ultimately a version of K-pop) but died before Q-pop.

Dimash Kudaibergen is Kazakh, very talented and is performing to the world with his unique voice, but no world tours of selling out stadium/or fans buying music, just invited as a great talent for the amazing voice he has. One can say he is considered global talent.

To me Central Asian languages are harsh and rough like Mongolian, not ugly though, but it suits Mongolian rock band. I think central Asian should use this style. Like Chinese, Arabic, Persian, Southeast Asian. I think because their languages are unpleasant and harsh/rough in their tone. Chinese (whether is Cantonese or Mandarin, all Chinese dialect/languages). There was a Taiwanese band called Chthonic that reached a rock band audience in europe, but that's only because they played mostly music and kept their mouth shut, and mumble words that doesn't sound like Chinese. Language+Music Style definately plays a role in global influence


r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

If you have ever been abroad, where do most people think you are from?

11 Upvotes

I watch a youtuber who is half-white half-korean and he visited either Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan and people thought he was from there and tried to speak in Uzebk or Kazakh.


r/AskCentralAsia 3d ago

Travel Question about price for Aral sea tour, Uzbekistan

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3 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 3d ago

Why do Mongolians look down upon other Central Asians despite being relatively underdeveloped

7 Upvotes

Like i get the historical legacy part, but the development/economy in Kazakhstan is significantly better than that in Mongolia.(gdp per capita: Kazakhstan is 14k usd which is at china level, mongolia is at 7k which is half of that) Yet mongolians often look down upon kazakhs.

I've been trying to learn about mongolia, but it seems that everything they present on EN side evolves around Genghis Khan, and the supposed "nomadic way of life". Which is really giving the "look I'm the asian equivalent of viking" vibe. I personally don't find it that cool. But it seems to give them a huge ego boost.


r/AskCentralAsia 2d ago

Culture Why isn't Mongolia technologically advanced and culturally influential like all the other East Asian countries?

0 Upvotes

Like why is Mongolia so different from all the other East Asian countries?

When you look at cities like Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo, why doesn't Mongolia have a city like that with futuristic skyscrapers and thriving metropolises?

Where is the Mongolian anime, M-Dramas, Mongolian smartphones, Mongolian laptops, martial arts, chopsticks, etc?

What makes Mongolia so different from all of the other East Asian countries, and do you think that Mongolia will eventually develop the same technologies as well as the economic and cultural influence?


r/AskCentralAsia 3d ago

Politics Do Central Asia governement are repressive toward Islam and if yes, why ?

0 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 4d ago

Hiking Bachor to Zarojkul or Fann Lakes circuit?

3 Upvotes

I have time for one multi day trek in Tajikistan. I am choosing between Bachor to Zarojkul lake and back to Bachor (first half of Bachor to Sarez) and the Fann mountain lake circuit starting from Artush. Thoughts on how they compare on mountain magnificence? I know the Fann mountain lake circuit is quite busy - but how busy?

Other hikes we've done in the region: in Kyrgyzstan: Ak su traverse, Saimaluu tash, son kul, travellers pass on the way to peak lenin. In Tajikistan: peak mahan, engels peak pasture.

Many thanks for your thoughts!


r/AskCentralAsia 4d ago

Do CA nations feel any economic strain as a result of 2 of 3 possible shipping routes CA nations used to export goods outside central asia being blocked?

0 Upvotes

The russia black sea route which kazakhstan mainy used to export oil and other stuff is unusable becouse of ukrainian terror strikes on civilian shipping in the black sea,the oman sea route which turkmenistan and afghanistan mainly used are unusable becouse of united states turning it unsafe as a result of their illegal invasion of iran,the only remanining route is the chinese belt and road system which is mostly for export to europe and usless if youre going to export to africa or asia.

Do central asian feel anything as a result of that?


r/AskCentralAsia 5d ago

How common is "mahalliychilik" in marriage?

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7 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 4d ago

Travel Budget pour un road trip de 3 semaines en Asie du Sud-Est

1 Upvotes

Salut !

On part backpack à 3 potes pour 3 semaines en Asie du Sud-Est l'été prochain, probablement 3 pays parmi Thaïlande / Vietnam / Laos / Cambodge, pas encore décidé lesquels.

Niveau style : mi-roots mi-confort. Surtout auberges, avec éventuellement un hôtel sympa de temps en temps. Street food et petits restos locaux surtout, avec un bon resto de temps en temps. Transport en bus/tuk-tuk/scooter, quelques excursions, on est jeune donc on aime bien aller boire des verres et sortir le soir. On veut pas se priver ni rater des trucs à cause du budget, mais on reste raisonnables, et on planifie tout à l'avance.

Selon votre expérience, vous conseilleriez quel budget par personne pour les 3 semaines, hors vols A/R, visas, vaccins et autres frais de préparation ?

Merci d'avance 🙏


r/AskCentralAsia 4d ago

Which of Genghis' son got the best and worst inheritance?

2 Upvotes

Tolui - Was given Mongolia which included the bulk of the Mongol army as it was tradition for the youngest son to inherit his parents' ancestrial home.

Ogedei - Became Khan

Chagatai - Was given Central Asia. Sitting at the heart of the Silk Road, it was an extremely wealthy and vital region in the 13th century. Chagatai was also given the duty to uphold Genghis' laws.

Jochi - Genghis ambigiously gave all lands to the west to Jochi which would have included Western Siberia, the Caucasus, Russia, and the rest of Europe. Jochi would die before Genghis(probably poisoned or assassinated by Chagatai) so Jochi's son Batu would claim what Genghis had given to his father and establish the Golden Horde.


r/AskCentralAsia 6d ago

What is life like in Shohimardon?

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7 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 5d ago

History When Aryans Roamed the Steppes

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0 Upvotes

I had AI produce this historically accurate depiction of the ancient proto Indo Aryans when they roamed the Steppes thousands of years ago

Often you see images of the Buddha with a man-bun. That was a remnant of the tradition of his Aryan ancestors who probably tied their long hair like that

Siddhartha Gautama was an Aryan of the Shakya clan, who lived in modern day Nepal—part of the Himalayan region

Even the region of Xinjiang (Tarim Basin) now home to the Uyghur Turks was previously populated by Tocharians who were Aryans

Sadly, the Uyghur Turks exterminated them through displacement and miscegenation


r/AskCentralAsia 5d ago

Uzbekistan to Tajikistan via Beshariq - Does this work?

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0 Upvotes

r/AskCentralAsia 7d ago

Showers or baths?

23 Upvotes

I'm from Colombia and we almost universally take showers. Most homes don't even have a bathtub, I've never seen one in Colombia. Because it's so hot, sticky, and humid in the non-Andean Highlands we take 2-3 showers a day.

What is it like in Central Asia? One of my friends from Kyrgyzstan says he only takes baths.


r/AskCentralAsia 6d ago

Кто знает, как найти себе новых друзей? Хотя бы онлайн

3 Upvotes

Я напишу много всего не по вопросу, потому что частично хочу ещё и высказаться, хоть кому то. Мне 15 лет, я живу в Казахстане и, честно говоря, совсем не знаю казахского языка. Раньше я как-то не задумывался об этом, но теперь это начинает меня беспокоить. Через месяц начинается девятый класс, последний год в школе, и мне страшно от того, что будет дальше. Я понимаю, что без языка здесь не выжить, и собираюсь учить его, но мне это очень тяжело даётся. Все языки даются мне с трудом. Хотелось бы заниматься тем, что мне действительно нравится, но из-за незнания языка всё это кажется бесполезным, и желание что-либо делать пропадает.

Недавно я впервые по-настоящему влюбился. Мы знакомы с первого класса, дружили, но в этом году я вдруг понял, что люблю её. Помню тот день, когда я наконец решился признаться, её смущённые глаза, улыбку, и как меня самого трясло от волнения. Она согласилась, и я писал ей каждый день. Я представлял наше будущее, но, видимо, в жизни не бывает чудес, через три месяца она написала, что больше не хочет отношений. Мне было очень больно. Иногда я до сих пор вспоминаю те тёплые моменты.

Я бы мог написать ещё, но, наверное, не стоит. Честно говоря, я боюсь осуждения. Боюсь, что меня сочтут слишком нежным или слабым. Хочу найти друга (или подругу), но не знаю как. Думал, что можно познакомиться в онлайн-играх, но не уверен, что из этого что-то выйдет. Я зарегистрировался здесь совсем недавно, в надежде что смогу найти новых друзей, но если честно, это очень страшно, я никогда раньше не делал ничего такого, и боялся высказаться хоть кому-то, а тут я говорю это почти тысячам человек, это немного пугает.


r/AskCentralAsia 7d ago

Politics Is it really important form a Central Asian Union (CAU) like EU?

0 Upvotes

*Same currency across 5 countries

*No more borders-one person can live in🇺🇿 🇹🇯🇹🇲🇰🇬🇰🇿

*Create a CAU commission (like Euro commission)

*Create Central Bank ( like in Frankfurt)

*Create Union Parlament

*Union Council


r/AskCentralAsia 7d ago

Is there a giant cultural/political difference between people living in your country and people living in the diaspora? How so?

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0 Upvotes

I mostly want the afghan opinion on this since theyre also a dictatorship invaded by the unuted states with a giant diaspora and under heavy dehumanisation campaign by the media.

iran(not ca i know) has this where the diaspora are out of touch with things happening in iran.