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Among The Pamir Kyrgyz Of Eastern Turkey

The Pamir Kyrgyz nomads have known many homelands. Fleeing Russian occupation in Kyrgyzstan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they settled in the Pamir Mountains, spanning eastern Afghanistan and western China.

In 1978, fearing the new communist regime in Afghanistan, many Pamir Kyrgyz took refuge in Pakistan and later in eastern Turkey. Today, some 2,500 ethnic Kyrgyz live in the Turkish village of Uluu Pamir, or Great Pamir.

On November 8, the community celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of their former leader, Rakhmankul Khan, who led them through their migration 35 years ago. RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service correspondent Janyl Jusupjan recently visited their village in Turkey and compiled this photo gallery.

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