Mourning rituals in the Miyonkol oasis

Abstract

Mourning and burial rituals represent one of the most conservative cultural phenomena, often preserving layers of ancient beliefs within modern traditions. In the Miyonkol oasis, these practices embody a unique synthesis of animism, fetishism, totemism, and Zoroastrianism, later reshaped under Islamic influence. Despite their significance, the funeral and mourning customs of Miyonkol have received limited scholarly attention, particularly regarding their transformation under religious and cultural shifts. This study aims to investigate the continuity and change of mourning practices in Miyonkol, focusing on their ethnocultural and religious underpinnings. Field research and historical analysis reveal that many rituals such as washing the deceased, preparation of the “death bundle,” laments, and the symbolic use of willow continue to survive, though modernization and Europeanization have contributed to their gradual erosion. The research documents and interprets rituals that preserve traces of pre-Islamic traditions, demonstrating how layers of belief systems coexisted and evolved, while highlighting practices that are disappearing in contemporary times. The findings underscore the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, suggesting that further ethnographic research can contribute to the preservation and revitalization of national values amidst globalization pressures.