Resumen de Pilgrimage traditions to sacred sites of modern Central Asia

Elyor Karimov, Darius Liutikas

• This chapter reviews the main places of pilgrimage in Central Asia, as well as their visitors. Although there are not only Islamic but also Christian Orthodox and Buddhist holy places in Central Asia, this chapter examines the holy places formed by the Islamic tradition. It is indicated that the situation of pilgrimage during the Soviet era also affects the present. The chapter ends by describing the significance of traditions in pilgrimage sites. The ritual Mushkel' Kushod, intended for women only, perfectly illustrates the intertwining of Islamic and ancient local traditions.