Poets and the Meaning of Poetry in Contemporary Uzbek Society

Author: Erkinov, Aftandil

Source: Anthropology of the Middle East, Volume 3, Number 1, Spring 2008 , pp. 1-9(9)

Publisher: Berghahn Journals

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Abstract:

For centuries poetry was the most important arts genre in Central Asia. In order to be recognised as a member of the educated classes, it was obligatory to learn hundreds of poems. Even the Soviet regime (1922-1991) exploited the Uzbek people's love of poetry for its own political ends - the propagation of communist ideology. However, linked to the processes of globalisation, interest in poetry has diminished considerably in Uzbekistan over the past several years. People have become less attracted to the romance of poetry than to actual business, benefits and material values. To modern Uzbek society, poems come only in the form of lyrics for popular music. Globalisation has made poetry a minor genre among the Uzbek arts. To be a poet had been a respected profession for centuries. Now it has lost its prestige, as former poets turn to other occupations.

Keywords: GLOBALISATION; MODERNISATION; POET; POETRY; SOVIET PERIOD; UZBEKISTAN

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3167/ame.2008.030102

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