Emily O'Dell at the shrine of Yusuf Hamadani
Emily O'Dell photographing Sufi shrines in Turkmenistan
At a time when Sufi shrines are being attacked from Mali to Pakistan, it is inspiring to see countries along the Silk Road investing time, money and energy into preserving these medieval monuments. Even though extensive restorations took place on these monuments in the Soviet and early post-Soviet eras, the harsh desert climate makes preserving these arresting vestiges of history and cultural identity a constant priority.
In the picture below, you can see a streak along the middle of the shrine–a visible trace of the many pilgrims who have come and brushed their palms against the shrine for a blessing, as they circle it counter-clockwise three times–before reciting verses from the Qur’an. The visitation of these shrines and the unique rituals associated with them are alive and well on the Silk Road–plan a trip to Central Asia to go and see for yourself!
Emily O'Dell at the shrine of Yusuf Hamadani
