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'
13
Nazim (left) with his son Akhtam (center) and grandson. Nazim was deported to Shaar-Tuz with his family when he was 12. He came back to Depshaar in 1968 as one of the first returnees. He worked for 40 years in various state positions, and now receives a monthly pension of 200 somoni (about $25).
14
Nazim’s son Akhmat (second from the left) with friends.
They spend most of their free time riding horses to train for buzkashi, the popular sport that involves dragging a goat by horseback toward a goal. It is the major winter entertainment in all of Jerge-Tal district. Sometimes they also act as volunteer guides for the occasional foreign tourist.
They spend most of their free time riding horses to train for buzkashi, the popular sport that involves dragging a goat by horseback toward a goal. It is the major winter entertainment in all of Jerge-Tal district. Sometimes they also act as volunteer guides for the occasional foreign tourist.
15
A bridge on the Mök River, which starts from the glaciers of what the locals call Muz-Too or "Ice Mountain."
The bridge is built every autumn from money the villagers collect between themselves. In spring, they remove the bridge, or it is taken away by strong currents, as happened last April.
The bridge is built every autumn from money the villagers collect between themselves. In spring, they remove the bridge, or it is taken away by strong currents, as happened last April.
16
A memorial to flood victims.
The stones are inscribed with the names of those killed when the major bridge connecting the village with the district's commercial center was washed away 10 years ago. Five local residents were killed. That bridge, built in 2003 with the help of a United Nations agency, was never reconstructed. Now, villagers have to travel 70 kilometers to get to the regional market town, instead of 15 kilometers.
The stones are inscribed with the names of those killed when the major bridge connecting the village with the district's commercial center was washed away 10 years ago. Five local residents were killed. That bridge, built in 2003 with the help of a United Nations agency, was never reconstructed. Now, villagers have to travel 70 kilometers to get to the regional market town, instead of 15 kilometers.