The Political Background of the "North–South" Dichotomy in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

The “North-South” dichotomy in Kyrgyzstan has not only the geographical and symbolic character, but also a political one which includes the historical, cultural, and economic aspects. The division between the North and the South in Kyrgyzstan is not a new phenomenon and it goes back to the times of the Kokand Khanate. However, a strong politicization of this dichotomy started from the independence period, when the ruling elites and their opponents began using this division in the struggle for power and resources. This situation clearly influenced the lives of people, who began dividing themselves into “the Northerners” and “the Southerners”. The aim of this paper is to extend the meaning of ethnic and political identification by drawing comparisons between the workings of the dichotomy on macro- and micro-levels.