Intro
Contents
Notes on Contributors
1 Introduction: Making Culture in (Post) Socialist Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Xinjiang
References
2 'The Kara Kirghiz Must Develop Separately': Ishenaaly Arabaev (1881-1933) and His Project of the Kyrgyz Nation
Ishenaaly Arabaev: Early Life and Intellectual Pursuits
Recovery Efforts After the Revolt of 1916
The Alash Party Experience
From Alash Orda to the Kyrgyz Mountain Oblast
'The Kara Kyrgyz Must Develop Separately': The Meeting on National Delimitation
Conclusion

3 Liminal States: Personal Dreams and Performance in Kyrgyzstan During and After the Soviet Era
Soviet Power Meets Artistic Expression in Mid-Twentieth Century Kyrgyzstan
4 Epic Performances in Central Asia
Introduction: The Manas Epic as a Cultural Form
Soviet Cultural Reform
The Cultural Form of Manas
Performance as a Cultural Form
Kyrgyz National Theatre
Osh Uzbek Theatre
Conclusion: Manas as an Interweaving Text
References
5 Poets of the People: Learning to Make Culture in Kazakhstan
Poets' Coming-Into-Being
Language and Ideology
Poetry for the People

Regional Schools and Offices of Cultural Affairs
(Post) Colonial Audience: Aitys Goes to Moscow
Conclusion
References
6 Lament in an Affluent Era: Cultural Politics of Kazakh Life Cycle Songs in Xinjiang
Introduction
Weddings as a Cultural Economy
Politics of Nostalgia in the Wedding Space
Gender of Memory, Trauma of Revolution
Memory, Place, and Elegy under Chinese Development
Conclusion
References
7 Conclusion: Interweaving Texts
References
Index