Publications
BLOOD MUST ENCOUNTER WATER: TASATTYQ SACRIFICE RITUAL IN SYR DARYA DELTA AND SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
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Manage No DI00000344 Country Republic of Korea Author Aibek Samakov External Expert, Aigine, CRC Published Year 2018 Language English Copyright 
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| Description | A small crowd is standing on a bridge across the canal that brings water to the village. The canal diverts some water from the Syr Darya River, the only source of irrigation water in the region. There are several cars parked on the banks of the canal and a medium-size truck with a two-year old bull is parked right on top of the bridge. A group of young men take the bull on the bridge and tie him up. The crowd gathers around and the people present lifts their palms up at the chest level. The most respected elder loudly starts making a wish: “May there be plenty of water this year for our crops and livestock; may there be peace and prosperity in our lands; may there be accord and respect in our community….” The wish, which is also a blessing, goes on for several minutes. After every sentence, the crowd univocally utters “amen” to show that every person seconds that wish. Then, bull is solemnly sacrificed on the river bank, and its blood flows into the current turning it red for a little while. | ||
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