Tajikistan

Introduction to Tajikistan

The Republic of Tajikistan (Тоҷикистон), formerly known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic, is a country in Central Asia. It has borders with Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Tajikistan means the 'Land of the Tajiks'. The name Tajik, both for the people and for the nation itself, is a geographic reference to the crown (Taj) of the Pamir Knot.

As part of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan was initially grouped with what is now Uzbekistan in the Autonomous SSR of Tajikistan, but in 1929 was made a separate constituent republic. Moscow did not do much to develop the Tajik SSR, and it remained relatively behind other Soviet Republics in living conditions, education and industry. In the 1970s Islamic underground parties began to form, and served to rally Tajiks against the USSR, but real disturbances did not occur until 1990. The following year, the USSR collapsed, and Tajikistan declared its independence.

Tajikistan is landlocked, and is the smallest nation in Central Asia by area. It is covered by mountains of the Pamir range, and more than fifty percent of the country is 3,000 meters (approx. 10,000 feet) above sea level. The Amu Darya and Pyanj rivers mark the border with Afghanistan.

Cultural notes about Tajikistan

The Culture of Tajikistan has developed over several thousand years. Historically, Tajiks and Persians come from very similar stock with a mutual language and are related as part of the larger group of Iranian peoples. Tajik culture can be divided into two areas, Metropolitan and Kuhiston(Highland). Ancient towns such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Herat, Balkh and Nishopur Khiva are no longer part of the country. More modern centres include Dushanbe (the capital), Khudjand, Kulob, Panjikent and Istarvshan.

In order to understand Tajik culture it is necessary to look back to the time of Traxonia, (an area that lies between the Amu Darya and Sir Darya rivers and modern north-west Afghanistan), and the centres of civilization of the Nile, Mesopotamia and the banks of the Yangtze. The Tajiks' ancestors were from Scythian proto-Indo-European tribes who were nomads of the Eurasian steppes and were among the first to settle in Central Asia about 4000 years ago. Zoroaster, a preacher, started the worlds' first religion that worshipped Fire and the Sun. Zoroastrian principals had been exported and influenced other religions like Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism. Mani, another preacher, promoted the quasi religion Manichaesim, which held that all human beings are born equal and have equal potential regardless of their standing. These beliefs influenced other religions, particularly in the Samanid period.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Tajikistan

Canadians travelling to Tajikistan should exercise a high level of caution, especially when travelling to areas bordering Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan, due to security concerns. The borders with Uzbekistan are mined in some areas, and the mines are seldom clearly marked. Some border crossings are open, but crossing procedures may prove difficult. The security situation along the border with Afghanistan is improving thanks to the removal of many landmines, but remains unstable due to this area's use as a transit point for drugs and other forms of illegal trafficking. Persons travelling to Afghanistan and wishing to return to Tajikistan should ensure that they are in possession of appropriate documents (including visas, valid passport, vehicle certification, etc.) before leaving Tajikistan and should inform the closest Canadian office (or multilateral organisation such as the United Nations or OSCE) of their desire to do so.

Though local authorities report a small rise in violent crimes for 2005 compared with 2004, the general population is not militant. In the aftermath of the civil conflict of the 1990s, most arms held by the population had been surrendered. Pickpocketing and mugging may occur. Do not show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, monitor local news reports, and avoid crowds and demonstrations. Exercise caution, particularly in tourist areas and commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events) frequented by foreigners. Travellers should exercise particular caution in crowded public places such as markets. There have been no reports indicating that foreigners are targeted.