HOMELAND REEMERGED: EXPLORING CHANGES IN UZBEK’S ENGAGEMENT WITH KIN STATE POLITICS AND HOST STATE LOYALTY IN SAIRAM

Abstract

Being cut off from Uzbekistan due to a lack of welcoming attitude and restrictive policies that overlooked the question of co-ethnics outside its borders, Uzbeks in Sairam district evolved and developed its identity separately from it during the first decades of independence. This relationship dynamic was stable until the election of the second president of Uzbekistan, Mirziyoyev, who drastically changed the state’s approach to dealing with co-ethnics abroad. Decisive steps in this direction involved the introduction of the Decree on Compatriots, the first decree defining Uzbekistan’s position towards co-ethnics abroad. This decree aimed to foster ties with Uzbeks living abroad, it redefined Uzbekistan’s political boundaries in a more flexible and inclusive definition of it, including co-ethnics living abroad. This re-emergence of national homeland and its effect on the stance of Uzbeks in Sairam is explored through Brubaker’s (1995) theoretical framework of triadic nexus which emphasized the dynamic nature of this triangular relationship between kin state, host state, and minority ethnic group. Analyzing the recent changes in Uzbekistan’s stance towards co-ethnics through this model in the context of the re-emergence of ethnic homeland after the straining of ties, it was revealed that activists in the community noticed the positive changes that resulted from the adoption of this decree. However, these changes are not part of the discussion among Uzbeks of this community, who are largely unaware of this decree and Uzbekistan’s change of stance. Instead, since the introduction of the decree went hand in hand with tightening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the changes were largely seen as the outcome of this friendly relationship between the two states. Therefore, this community's participation in joining cultural activities and intensified cooperation were perceived not as part of building ties with the kin state, but as supporting the host state’s endeavors in establishing a friendlier relationship with a neighboring state. Therefore, the re- iv emergence of the national homeland did not affect the existing interaction model between Uzbek’s in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan’s government.