This very young calf would no doubt like to join the rest of the herd as soon as possible, but the herdsman’s young son has decided to test its resolve. Karakol.

Credits: Grégoire Chesnot (@greg_che, France)

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Rivers are usually the meeting point for women and kids during the day. This one is taken outside of Murghob shortly before sunset.

On Wednesday 8 April 2026, INALCO organised a multidisciplinary symposium (covering anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, photography, cartography, musicology, and more) dedicated to the Pamir region, entitled ‘The Faces of Pamir: the mountain lived, inhabited, spoken’.

Credit: Etienne Bellard (France, @etienneblld)

Find all of our photos of the day. You can buy some of these and receive them at home: here is the list! If you can't find your picture in the list, mail us to photo@novastan.org.

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These photos were taken during a ‘sunnat to’y’, a traditional celebration held after a boy’s circumcision. Such events are becoming increasingly rare, as many families now choose to have the procedure carried out when the boys are still very young, or even immediately after birth, in order to minimise the trauma and the memory of the experience. Consequently, the custom of marking the occasion with large celebrations, similar to weddings, is also disappearing. In these photos in particular, you can see a traditional performance called Ot o’yin, which means ‘horse play’. In this performance, a man wears a horse costume whilst a boy rides him. They usually dance and play together, creating a festive and joyful scene. Surxondaryo Region, Uzbekistan.

Credit: Niginakhon Uralova (Uzbekistan, @niginakhon_)

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One of the few komuz makers, Yrys Ava, welcomes visitors to a timeless workshop where magnificent instruments are on display. All have been handmade using traditional techniques.

Credits : Pierre-Armand Dussex (https://nomadsland.travel/fr/before-you-go/blog/mon-beau-jailoo, Switzerland)

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There are few women at the Afghan bazaar of Shohon , an hour’s drive from Kulob, but women’s clothing can still be found there, among many, many other items. It is a place where families separated on either side of the border can meet every week.

Credit: Etienne Bellard (France, @etienneblld)

Find all of our photos of the day. You can buy some of these and receive them at home: here is the list! If you can't find your picture in the list, mail us to photo@novastan.org.

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