This is a first-hand account of the genocide of the Kazakh nomads in the 1920s and 30s. Nominally Muslim; the Kazakhs and their culture owed as much to shamanism and paganism as they did to Islam. Their ancient traditions and economy depended on the breeding and herding of stock across the vast steppes of central Asia; and their independent; nomadic way of life was anathema to the Soviets. Seven-year-old Shayakhmetov and his mother and sisters were left to fend for themselves after his father was branded a "kulak" (well-off peasant and thus class enemy); stripped of his possessions; and sent to a prison camp where he died. In the following years the family traveled thousands of miles across Kazakhstan by foot; surviving on the charity of relatives. Told with dignity and detachment; this central Asian Wild Swans awakens the reader to the scale of suffering of millions of Kazakhs; and also astonishes and inspires as a most singular survivor's tale.
#4913694 in Books Lindisfarne Pr 2006-08-01Original language:GermanPDF # 1 8.96 x .58 x 6.10l; .74 #File Name: 1584200391216 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A New Experience of the HeartBy Sylvia LagergrenThe problems of Palestine and Israel; from this "heart center of the world;" are given a new examination in this book whereby one no longer feels helpless to "do" anything to promote peace and understanding. The analysis of conflicts is not so new perhaps; but the meditations which accompany the chapters in Part I and also the ones in Part II; written by his daughter; Ana Pogacnik; are very deeply moving.For many years I have led meditations; many about our heart nature; but these; coming as they do from a seemingly hopeless part of our planet; have lifted my spirit and inspired me at a deeper level. A particular quote may be of help:"We cannon connect with the heart's energy and divine love out of fear of sin. Fear and eternal love have such different vibrations that they cannot find each other and never meet...Only through the heart and out of purest love can we experience the infinite divine power for which we are longing." [p. 112]Centuries of religious heritage which have controlled us through our guilt or separateness; no matter whether Judaism; Christianity or Islam; do not serve us. The Pogacniks' connection with the spirits of the landscape as well as heavenly ones makes this book most valid in interpreting our heart's' best interest.
