The Qaraqalpaqs are a Turkic minority inhabiting the huge southern delta of the former Aral Sea. In recent decades, however, their lands have been turned into desert as the sea itself became desiccated - one of the major environmental disasters of our generation. Despite their hardscrabble lives, the Qaraqalpaqs have a thriving artistic culture. This rigorously researched volume introduces western readers for the first time to the vibrant textiles, costumes, weavings, jewellery and furnishings of this formerly nomadic people. Filled with photographs taken on location in the yurts in which the Qaraqalpaqs live and from museum collections in Uzbekistan and Russia, many of which are previously unpublished, the book aims to sweep away the myths surrounding their history and culture. The dazzling objects reproduced in this book demonstrate that the Qaraqalpaqs' folk art is every bit as fascinating and worthy as that of their more visible neighbours the Kazaks, Uzbeks, and Turkmen. This deluxe book is certain to become the standard reference work on this fascinating people and their culture.
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About the Author
David and Sue Richardson have spent more than a decade studying the Qaraqalpaqs and other ethnic groups of the Aral region. They have written numerous articles and lectured widely on the subject.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Kate
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fascinating and authoritative book. It is a comprehensive study of the Qaralqalpac people , divided into 4 parts. Always interesting and splendidly illustrated, I found the section on costume and jewellery particularly absorbing. The layout and quality of the photographs, both archive and taken by the authors, is truly magnificent. Each page made me want to linger to fully absorb the depth of detail, and yet the anticipation in turning the page made me unwilling, at first, to give it the time deserved.
A thoroughly researched book, well written and with wonderful graphics.
A thoroughly researched book, well written and with wonderful graphics.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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5.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Magnificent Book in Every Way!
3 Dec 2012
By Susan F. Meller
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book has just about everything anyone would ever want to know about the Qaraqalpaq people, their way of life, and their culture including textiles, costume, jewelry, furnishings, and horse trappings.
While primarily specific to the Qaraqalpaqs, there is much information that can be applied to other Central Asian peoples and their handcrafted items, particularly textiles.
The Richardsons have written a masterful, scholarly work and have conveyed their obvious passion for, and dedication to, their subject. The publisher, Prestel, has produced a very beautiful, high-quality book that will be a treasured addition to the reader's library.
While primarily specific to the Qaraqalpaqs, there is much information that can be applied to other Central Asian peoples and their handcrafted items, particularly textiles.
The Richardsons have written a masterful, scholarly work and have conveyed their obvious passion for, and dedication to, their subject. The publisher, Prestel, has produced a very beautiful, high-quality book that will be a treasured addition to the reader's library.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must read" for those interested in Central Asia
29 Oct 2012
By Sharon
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
We became interested in the Qaraqalpaks and their textiles while living in Central Asia in the 1990's. They are a small population of nomads that has been pushed from place to place by the vagaries of history and have wound up inhabiting the deserts around the shrinking Aral Sea. While we have known some Qaraqalpaks and learned a bit about their unique textiles from these acquaintances, there has never been any scholarly book written in English on these people and their life.
The Richardsons have done a great service in producing their magnificent encyclopedic work on the Qaraqalpaks and their life. The combination of detail on this group's history, old photographs from Soviet archives, and new photographs and interviews by the authors themselves during their field trips makes this book "one stop shopping" for anyone interested in any aspect of the life and history of the Qaraqalpak nation. This is the first and only such book in English and it will quickly become THE seminal reference book on this ethnic group for both scholars and textile enthusiasts everywhere.
The Richardsons have done a great service in producing their magnificent encyclopedic work on the Qaraqalpaks and their life. The combination of detail on this group's history, old photographs from Soviet archives, and new photographs and interviews by the authors themselves during their field trips makes this book "one stop shopping" for anyone interested in any aspect of the life and history of the Qaraqalpak nation. This is the first and only such book in English and it will quickly become THE seminal reference book on this ethnic group for both scholars and textile enthusiasts everywhere.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tremendous Value - Comprehensive Book
17 Jan 2013
By Catherine Mortensen
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I am absolutely thrilled to have this book in my hands. It does not disappoint. I used the word comprehensive as a descriptor and that is a very accurate statement. I have a library full of carpet and textile related volumes and this book ranks in the top ten for the detailed contents. For me I am particularly interested in the weaving and textile chapters but am being drawn into the historical and ethnographic contents as well. There are terrific, detailed chapters on yurt making and yurt decorations. I cannot say enough and would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in this region and the weaving, costumes, jewellery and dwellings and ethnography of this area.
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