- published: 05 May 2012
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The Karakalpaks (also Qaraqalpaqs) are a Turkic speaking people. They mainly live in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya and in the (former) delta of Amu Darya on the southern shore of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan. The name "Karakalpak" comes from two words: "qara" meaning black, and "qalpaq" meaning hat. The Karakalpaks probably number about 650,000 worldwide, out of which about 500,000 live in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Karakalpaks are not to be confused with Karapapaks.
The Karakalpak population is mainly confined to the central part of Karakalpakstan that is irrigated by the Amu Darya. The largest communities live in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, and the surrounding large towns, such as Khodzheli, Shimbay, Takhtaitash, and Kungrad. Rural Karakalpaks mainly live on former collective or state farms, most of which have been recently privatised. Many rural Karakalpaks have been seriously affected by the desiccation of the Aral Sea, which has destroyed the local fishing industry along with much of the grazing and agricultural land in the north of the delta. Karakalpaks have nowhere to go. The majority of Karakalpakstan is occupied by desert - the Kyzyl Kum on the eastern side, the barren Ustyurt plateau to the west, and now the growing Aral Kum to the north, once the bed of the former Aral Sea.
Beauty of Karakalpak Culture
A Karakalpak lullaby with English subtitles (from the book: La steppe musicienne, example 61)
Aksawlak-National food of Karakalpaks
JESUS Karakalpak
2 Silk Road Songs of the Karakalpaks in Uzbekistan
Karakalpak Folk Singer, Uzbekistan
Conservation agriculture field day in Karauzak, Karakalpakstan (in Karakalpak language)
Karakalpaks in Bangkok
karakalpak xazili
karakalpak-uzinshashli qiz
Terekeme Türkleri, Kafkasya Karakalpak Türkleridir
Karakalpak azilderi 2