Soviet Orientalist Research on non-titular Nationalities in Central Asia: The Legacy of Pamirovedenie

Soviet Oriental studies have undoubtedly played an important role in the formation of the national republics, and construction of national identity in Central Asian countries. Starting from early 1920s to the end of the Soviet era, Oriental studies expanded from individual research to the establishment of well-funded institutions, and expeditions to adjust, appropriate and construct ancient and medieval histories, events, and figures, interpreting their life and legacy through the Marxist-Leninist theoretical paradigm for the evolution of history, and nations. In terms of discipline Soviet Oriental studies divided into numerous branches to study the societies, economy, and indigenous population of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Pamirology (Pamirovedenie) was dedicated to the study of the ways of living, languages, customs, economy, geography, and other aspects of the life and society in the current territories of the Gorno-Badakhshan Automous Oblast (Province) which was formed in 1925.

By the end of Soviet rule a huge amount of scholarship in Pamirology had been produced by dozens of researchers in the various Oriental studies centers, in Moscow, Leningrad (present St. Petersburg), Tashkent, and in Dushanbe. This presentation focuses on tracing the ethnographic and linguistic studies by Soviet scholars in studying the language and customs of the people that came to be known as the Pamiri people. This contribution of the specific branch of the Soviet Orientalist studies for exploring the society and people known as Pamiri, however, did not spread beyond academia. To what extent did the scholarship produced by both Russian, and native scholars on the languages and customs of the Pamir influence the formation of the specific ethno-cultural identity among the population of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province? Did the findings of Pamirology influence Soviet nationalities policy to promote non-titular nations? Was there any attempt by the Orientalist scholars to stress writing and teaching in the various languages in this province known as Pamiri languages?

By answering these questions this presentation tries to assess the legacy and contribution of Soviet Orientalist scholarship to the consolidation and formation of the identity among the people, which are known at present as the Pamiris, in Tajikistan.