A preliminary study of visitors to ancient Merv (Turkmenistan)

Jonathan Edwards and Roger Vaughan

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2011, vol. 7, issue 1, 64-77

Abstract: Merv was the first World Heritage Site in Turkmenistan to be designated, the site comprises early city-sites, religious or sacred buildings including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar dating from the 12th century, and a shrine to honour the eminent 12th century Sufi scholar Hodja Yusup Hamadani which is a notable focus of pilgrimage. The aim of the paper is to determine a preliminary profile of visitors to a site which has historic and cultural significance for some and is a venue of shrine pilgrimage for others and review the respondent's assessment of the management of a visitor attraction where tribal traditions and Islamic beliefs and practices are a key consideration for visitors and site managers. The preliminary conclusions support are that following more than 100 years of Russian/Soviet colonisation the Turkmen Sufi inspired form of Islam integrated into a tribal society remains vibrant for an as yet undetermined percentage of the Turkmen nation.

Keywords: Turkmenistan; culture; Sufi Islam; Merv; visitors; survey; religious tourism; religion; Islamic pilgrimage; tribal traditions; religious beliefs; Sufism. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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