SUMMARY

This paper analyses the issue of the place of the female informal religious practitioners termed bibi otun/bibi khalifa within the social landscape of Tajikistan. These women play the role of spiritual leaders primarily among the female part of the traditionally sedentary population of Central Asia. Otuns deal with a variety of issues related to spiritual life, teaching children and women religion, and performing rituals and prayers for the female part of the community. They are trained in Arabic as well as Islamic texts. Sometimes otuns, apart from religious activities, assist women in various social matters. In spite of the widespread opinion about the subordinate role of women in Central Asia, otuns have a high social status as religious authorities, and their informal influences often go beyond just the women's domain. Dynamic and continual changes within the social and political life in Tajikistan have also left their mark on the place and role of these religious practitioners.

INTRODUCTION

This paper addresses the function of the female religious figures termed bibi otun in Tajik society. Despite the common view that the participation of women in the lives of these communities is minor, female religious authorities are important social actors. Due to the special status of spiritual and religious leaders in Tajik society, female spiritual authorities enjoy a prestigious position among the people and they wield considerable influence among the female part of the community. Their activities are deeply rooted in the traditional practices of communal life through performing life-cycle rituals and celebrations. Dynamic and continual changes within the social and political life in Tajikistan have also impacted the place and role held by these religious practitioners.

The main purpose of this paper is to present the various aspects related to the role of female religious professionals. It also analyses various theoretical issues regarding the origin and history of otuns, and the contemporary changes within Islam in Tajikistan.

The idea for a project regarding female religious authorities in Central Asia was developed over several years of conducting my academic research and working for the NGO sector in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. During this time, I had the opportunity to participate in religious education classes for women, various rituals, as well as to meet with female religious authorities.