Foreign Culture and Youth in Tajikistan

Walking down Rudaki street you can see all sorts of people. Tajiks, Russians, locals, villagers, foreigners, and so on. However the most interesting population to watch by far is the young people.  Being from Afghanistan, it’s easy for me to blend in with the local population and observe the behavior of these fascinating people. I’ve met so many great local friends here who have taken me around the city. I don’t really get stares or anything like that like some of the other Americans in Dushanbe.  

While some Americans grumble at the dearth of Western products in Dushanbe, the other more social effects of globalization are quite common. For example, globalization has had a major effect on how young Tajiks dress and act. Teenagers and other young people can usually be found just hanging out by Opera Ballet at night. Sometimes it really feels like my high school back in the states. For instance, the other night I walked passed a group of gothic kids sitting in a circle chatting, teenage boys parkouring and doing flips off of tree trunks, a clique of very fashionable girls gossiping, and other stereotypes typical of American teens. Another day I walked down the underpass in Tsum when I came across a “punk” couple dressed in plaid, excessive earrings complete with eye makeup.  
 

Are these characteristics simply worldwide or are there other causes at play here?  
 

The older generation claims that whatever tourists and Russians do the Tajik youth mimic that. One particular fashion that many older people complain about is the tight, rolled up pants teenage boys have started to wear. In fact, even my host sister who is somewhat more traditional has poked fun at this fashion statement. She has also sighed at the fact that more and more young girls have begun to wear western clothing instead of the national dress, the kurta and hezar.
 

And of course there’s the discussion of discothèques. Tajik youth, both females and men, frequent these late night hot spots. Some of these places are geared more towards Tajiks while others cater to foreigners. In many places the DJ’s are Tajik and they play an eclectic selection of music from Europe, the US, Tajikistan, Iran and of course Russia. Sometimes I almost forget that I’m in Tajikistan, a tiny former Soviet “Muslim” country neighboring Afghanistan. Then again there is supposedly an existing night life in Kabul but I’ll save that for another topic.  
 

However, this transfer of culture is not all one way.  
 

Plenty of Russian and other foreign women can be seen wearing the comfortable Tajik dress around Dushanbe. Furthermore, travelers scour the bazaars for traditional Tajik fabrics rather than the imported designs. Other tourists search for “authentic” Tajik wares to show off to their friends back at home. I recently befriended an Afghan man who owns a carpet and jewelry store. He says that he doesn’t just bring goods from Kabul but he also sends Tajik clothing to Kabul. I have heard that the Tajik wedding hats are beginning to catch on among young girls in Afghanistan. Imagine what Afghans have to say about that!  
 

With globalization we have to accept the good and bad. We can’t have our sambosa and eat it too.

Janet is studying Dari in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.