Written by a social anthropologist, this study focuses on the various ethnic, tribal, language, and religious groups that may identify as Uzbek, the processes by which they do so, and the reasons individuals and groups choose to identify in this way in spite of large variations in culture. A flexible definition, Uzbekness is defined by the land, and generally refers to people speaking Turkic languages and living sedentary lives in a particular region, if they call themselves Uzbek. They may otherwise be Turkomen, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, or other groups. The author combines a historical approach with field research. Chapters discuss four locations: Bukhara, Khorezm, the Ferghana Valley, and Sharisabz, with an introductory historical sketch; oases were key in the change from nomadic life to post-Soviet farming communities. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)