Depshaar, which translates as "Town of Giants," is a tiny Kyrgyz village in the Jerge-Tal district of Tajikistan. The place has never really enjoyed the potential benefits from its proximity to Ismoil Somoni, the summit of the Pamir Mountains, which was known during the Soviet era as "The Peak of Communism." The village was depopulated by Stalinist deportations, and it now faces an exodus of residents to neighboring Kyrgyzstan. (Photos by Janyl Jusupjan)
Tajikistan's Dwindling 'Town Of Giants'
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A girl stands next to her house.
There are 18 families living in the village. Many have relatives who left to Russia or Kyrgyzstan. Relations between the villagers are very tight, and they celebrate holidays together. If a guest comes to one family, neighbors invite them in, too, or they send over a meal to show respect.
There are 18 families living in the village. Many have relatives who left to Russia or Kyrgyzstan. Relations between the villagers are very tight, and they celebrate holidays together. If a guest comes to one family, neighbors invite them in, too, or they send over a meal to show respect.
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Writer Akim Kojoev came to visit his home village from Kyrgyzstan.
He sits on the steps of the new school in the village. Akim graduated university in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Upon his return, he founded an elementary school in Depshaar, but he later left Tajikistan, citing discrimination. He then wrote a novel called Dragon, describing the deportation of the villagers to the south, and the horrors of a civil war in the 1990s.
He sits on the steps of the new school in the village. Akim graduated university in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Upon his return, he founded an elementary school in Depshaar, but he later left Tajikistan, citing discrimination. He then wrote a novel called Dragon, describing the deportation of the villagers to the south, and the horrors of a civil war in the 1990s.
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Avaz, Akim Kojoev's brother, is a veterinarian serving several villages.
Their grandfather escaped the Stalinist deportation by taking children across the mountains to Kyrgyzstan. Avaz was born when his family returned to Depshaar at the end of the 1960s and planted poplar and fruit trees. He keeps cows, goats, and bees, and sells honey to merchants from Dushanbe.
Their grandfather escaped the Stalinist deportation by taking children across the mountains to Kyrgyzstan. Avaz was born when his family returned to Depshaar at the end of the 1960s and planted poplar and fruit trees. He keeps cows, goats, and bees, and sells honey to merchants from Dushanbe.
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Avaz with his daughter, wife, and youngest son in front of the unfinished house. His oldest son studies English in Kyrgyzstan.
The introduction of obligatory paperwork in the Tajik language made Avaz feel alienated as a veterinarian, so he is planning to move to Kyrgyzstan.
The introduction of obligatory paperwork in the Tajik language made Avaz feel alienated as a veterinarian, so he is planning to move to Kyrgyzstan.