On shame

Uiat is a word ubiquitously spoken in Kyrgyzstan. It hurled at children to stop improper behavior and thrown by adults evaluate conduct. relational practice that textures everyday life, cultivating discomfort the body when spoken, gendering aging those involved its practice, setting boundaries of propriety. most often translated as “shame.” The earliest work on honor shame anthropology established prevalence outlined basic social mechanism control, but discussion, especially considering Muslim societies, largely died out. Yet remains prominent ripe for investigation. Looking uiat dense, knotty carried out over time shows how shaming practices, Kyrgyzstan least, exert control why they are so very efficacious. [shame, material semiotics, gender, age, embodiment, performativity, postsocialist, Kyrgyzstan] Уят - бул бардык жерде айтылып жүргөн сөз. Бул туура эмес жүрүм -турумду токтотуу үчүн балдарга берилген Жаштарды -турумун баалоодо улуулар тарабынан айтылат. Муну мамилелер практикасына байланыштырып, ал күнүмдүк жашоону көзөмөлдөйт, сүйлөө учурунда денеде ыңгайсыздыкты пайда кылат, катышкандардын жынысын жана картаюсун адептүүлүктүн чектерин белгилейт. көбүнчө “уят” (англисче) деп которулат. Антропологиядагы ар -намыс уят боюнча эң алгачкы эмгек уяттын таралышын аныктады анын негизги ишин социалдык көзөмөл механизми катары сүрөттөп келген, бирок, айрыкча, мусулман коомдорун кароодо илимий талаш -тартыштар негизинен өчүп калды.Ошентсе да, практикасын изилдөө маанилүү бойдон калууда. Уятты убакыттын өтүшү менен жүзөгө ашырылган тыгыз, баш аламан практика көрүү, уялуу практикасы, жок дегенде, Кыргызстанда көзөмөлдү ишке ашыруу кандай иштээрин эмне абдан эффективдүү экенин көрсөтөт. [уят, материалдык семиотика, гендер, жаш, ашуусу, аткаруучулук, коомдору, постсоциалист, Кыргызстан] was among words I learned Kyrgyz.11 Also transliterated uyat literature. did not appear my language manual, during training Peace Corps volunteer, lived with family, it from them, more specifically Dinara,22 All names pseudonyms. 16-year-old host sister, word. Over months, Dinara became guide, friend, disciplinarian. Despite best efforts, made many mistakes daily village life northern Some were considered simply, or fantastically, stupid. “Jindi!” (Crazy!), would shout me, Kyrgyz, English, Russian good measure. She this when, example, tried turn giant pot into double boiler nearly split it, mistake have been costly. But other times she wouldshout uiat! errors, like threw some stale bread field birds walked few steps house shoes on. just me directed her corrections. Her verbal incantations trailed behind niece Rosa, toddler then, ran after little Rosa herself. minder. reached hand down grandmother's shirt. “Uiat!” stepped tablecloth while trying reach grandfather. got angry hit me. another child. Dinara. “Rosa! Uiat! bolot! Your father will punish [urushuu] you.”33 bolot (future tense) can be “Uiat be,” arise occur.” could translate understood what meant. even speak word, too knew entailed. marked our behavior. warned something malicious arising affected us all. painful hear. recoiled rebuke. utterance hurt too, regularly accompanied slap shake. only an utterance, also has movement force. When deployed present (Uiat!), marks unacceptable act. aims halt, prevent, spoke future tense (Uiat bolot!), simultaneously interrupts immediate moment bodes amorphous malignancy. Ubiquitous Kyrgyzstan, exclamations pepper soundscape life. Uiat, exclaimed, works body; you feel it. Its pinch, caress, slap. Cheeks flush eyes avert heard. Speaking creating discomfort. performed web relations. emerges between Dinara, Rosa's absent father. evaluates others whispered gossip. How much he drink? surfaces stratified relations, marking authority speaker calling aged gendered subjects performance being—Dinara, authoritative elder; obedient minor. Exclaiming creates abstractions others. What people think? makes sense comes being relation objects people, who nonpresent. In Central Asia, analyzed emotion (Beyer 2016, 147–51). sketch concept discourse (Borbieva 2012; Werner 2009). English Shame long history anthropology. paired honor, famously J. G. Peristiany's (1965) volume topic. This inaugurated literature use honor-shame complex interpret Mediterranean societies (e.g., Davis 1977; Pitt-Rivers Schneider 1971). Honor notions used pervasively evaluations across region, taken values or, Pierre Bourdieu's (1965, 216) formulation, part “mythico-ritual system.” focus, any case, decoding their meanings (see Stirling 1969, 126–33). literature, which focused ideas, productively prominence certain societies. Nevertheless, several scholars objected tended overgeneralize, reduce study female sexual purity, latter create, then characterize, homogenous “cultures,” Muslims (Abu-Lughod 1986, 2013; Gilmore 1987; Herzfeld 1980; Wikan 1984). To address these shortcomings, Unni (1984) attention predominance matter concern quotidian Asano-Tamanoi 1987). Using Geertzian framework, discussed “experience-distant” concept, near ubiquitous one (Geertz 1974; 1984, 637). Working Cairo, said “constantly heard poor back streets” (Wikan 636). idea similarly important Lila Abu-Lughod's (1986, 257) work, likewise attended explorations by, situating Awlad ‘Ali people's poetry recitation, expression emotions allowed, dialogue dominant discourses modesty. Equally way conveyed reader. Practices shown merely decode “cultural systems” performances themselves suggest quality sentiments evoked; communicating practices central intervention. modesty influenced treats emotion, affective response moral failure Bloch 2011; Collins Bahar 2000; Gideonse 2015; Plesset 2007), though does Muslims. Most anthropological research, however, left complex—not because excessively sexuality, producing Orientalist caricatures Muslims, new approaches gender developed larger critique structuralism, analyses shame, began change course discipline. Shame, nevertheless, still appears salient places around world, notably Asia—a region missed early Euro-American anthropology, owing Cold War politics. Given concept's troubled history, contemporary anthropologists working abjure investigations yet pops up science mostly passing Beyer 2013, 2016; Borbieva Isabaeva Ismailbekova 2018; Kleinbach Amsler 1999; Babaiarova Kleinbach, Ablezova, Aitieva 2005; Reeves 2011, Temirkoulov 2004; Temirkulov 2010; 2004, 2009; Wooden 2014). Returning emphasis studies (respectively), approach provoke examine variety fields uiat, sensuous seeks mark propriety, sexuality them. Annemarie Mol's (2014) material-semiotic approach, drawing particularly Dutch lekker (tasty, pleasant, agreeable), bring together two elements: focus embodied experience found Abu-Lughod, meaning shame. doing so, analyze exclaiming affects provoking maps attempts stabilize ideas correctness. Mol wrote article debate Marilyn Strathern relative strengths meaning- practice-oriented approaches. Mol, commenting Strathern's recommended instead understand thinking, we might want compare sociomaterial practices; pushed back, wondering know consider if classified (Mol 2014, 94). aimed find tracing “socio-material semiotic specificities together” (95) exploration lekker. followed traces various events, gathered nursing homes, where observed asking “Is lekker?” (Is tasty? agreeable? pleasant?). productive move simultaneous emergence practice. helpful here further reasons. First, using helps transcend problem afflicted shame: kind static indexing cultural notions, somehow float freely separately things create Indeed, despite broader correctives structuralist analysis, including outside semiotics Ortner 1984), such statis nevertheless dogged until present. reveals relational, situated meaning, draws develop. Second, allows connect propriety produce. lekker, impact bound pleasurable acts. question lekker?,” asserts, pragmatic get whether someone liked eating.44 prevents action preempt thus illocutionary speech act (Austin 1962) directive (Searle 1969). intends, achieves beyond sensible halting action; deliberately Rather, intends nurture pleasure person performing care. Asking (2014, 99) argues, “acting appreciation” bodily pleasure. “It sensible, sensual” (100), concludes, distinguishing words-in-action calls pragmatists (she explicitly refers Wittgenstein [1953]). cultivate pleasure, occurs things—like you, your food, body. Pleasure, happens, “a achievement” (101). enables joining three strands—meaning, practice—in exclamation (the body, sensations) conceptual (ideas about propriety) emerge coevally through (people, things) (uttering uiat). Just point identify essence agreeability feeling aim already-established inventory all shameful rather and, correctness sometimes-blurry Understanding provides precise rendering lets ask questions Seeing relations within exclaimed qualities. Differing whose lies elsewhere, gaze nature (re)create For (re)asserts spoken. sensuous, age gender. resembles effects Judith Butler's (2011, xii) notion performativity—that “reiterative citational produces names.” uiat!, Butlerian performative act, generates (and age). performativity poststructuralist paradigm points product discourse, critiqued improved. A corrective, articulated N. Katherine Hayles (1999), argues conceptualizations ignored embodiment. (1999, 193) suggests interrogate “the construct experiences embodiment individual culture articulate.” discursively elders juniors, men women, provokes Doing discursive. lens qualities experienced, cocreate stands contrast viewing uiat’s simply emotional violations Examining furthermore always conditional provisional, nonetheless successful conservative. chiefly maintaining force, flux. greater lesser ways, quite same place, time, another. Proclaiming mutability. Finally, understanding see since temporal rhythms make effectual. Certainly, efficacious dense That is, arises from, entangles, experience, (hierarchical) potency derives time. Here investigate accumulative well ubiquity, breadth, repetition (in single day lifetime). Each enactment adheres previous one, increasing density sticking relentlessly material, semiotic, (cf. Ahmed 2013). sticky least post-Soviet years, “island democracy,” hallmarked stability nadir economic decline 1998, steady improvement (Anderson cf. Laruelle Engvall 2015). Much growth driven circular labor migration, primarily Russia. Today, consistently ranked top five countries depend remittances GDP (Ratha et al. 2019). alleviated poverty 1990s enabled celebration cycle events large feasts parties (toy). migration produced profound anxieties well-being individuals families (Isabaeva 2012). Moreover, last 15 years politically tumultuous, series revolutions, increasingly ethnicized violence, rise sometimes-virulent nationalism, mention relatively weak state plagued inefficiency (Engvall Gullette Heathershaw Ibraeva, Moldosheva, Ablezova McGlinchey 2010). Unlike Asian nations, vibrant public religious growing 2000s. varied. There multiple interpretations Islam country, debates feature diverse range living (Artman 2019; Louw McBrien 2017; Montgomery Nasritdinov Esenamanova 2017).55 About 93 percent population Muslim. ethnic terms, 73.5 14.8 Uzbek, 5.5 Russian. number other, smaller groups remainder (NSCKR 2020). landscape novel politics strong feminist movement, diversified already-dynamic national Kojobekova Botoeva 2020; Suyarkulova 2016). animated spaces shifting political debated, Not located domestic discussions correctness, cries crop (social) media, meetings, events. Newspaper headlines call politicians diplomats “uiat!,” fail properly execute project duties seem service private leisure.66 “Kyrgyz ökmötü kylgan jol” [The Kyrgyz government's road], YouTube video, 3:55, 7-Kanal posted “7-канал Кыргызстан,” December 2, 2019, https://youtu.be/6PsBEGM9_j0; “Kyrgyzstandy Düynögö Uyat Kylgan Elchiler Jorugu,” NTS Telekanal, February 13, 2018, http://nts.kg/kyrgyzstandy-duinogo-uyat-kylgan-elchiler-zhorugu-video/. Cries nationalist leaders disparage collusion West,” citizens defenders failures criminal justice system (Otorbaev 2018). addition settings, pervasive politics, providing means publics elected officials government policy. prolific written Since collapse USSR, Asia occasionally mentioned topics. These included conflict resolution, borders energy water supply, remittances, lineages member building revolution.77 See (2013, 2016) resolution tradition; 2012, migration; energy, Revolution; (2011) family absences, economies; (2004) bride abduction; (2018) lineages; Termirkulov (2010) building. diversity topics speaks breadth use, regular appearance salience half year's fieldwork stay marriage 2015. portion project, examined controversial modes concluding marriages, longitudinal research conducting 17 group middle-class women. expanded friends, colleagues, kin opened site city Karakol. summer 2015 hot; temperatures topped 45 degrees Celsius Ferghana Valley, conducted research. no longer spent hot afternoon attentively listening sounds slightly cooler room sequestered. well, most, had never frustrated reductive readings forms meant eventually tackle On afternoon, shouts fresh ears interlocutor, Nurjamal, repeatedly yelled naughty At moment, me—uiat nothing do sexuality. observing exactly doing. Six-year-old Medetbek around. usually brought gifts visited him his mother, Vera. Once, given book animals. He forgot say thank you. “Uiat, son,” mother ear. “Tell Julie you,” embraced him. Another candies juice. Vera added them bounty covered table. While kitchen preparing entered room, took candy table, started eating entered, saw softly, janym. love [lit. ‘Shame, soul’]. We should offer first. Here, take go room.” lucky. quiet gentle. rebukes measured, voice calm, face relaxed; pronouncement came with, quickly embrace kiss. Others less lucky, opening vignette. shouted forceful swat. Tears screams Faces turned red, mouths wide, sometimes narrowed bunched breath sharply drawn in. occurring bundle registers—aural, visual, kinesthetic. Uttering involves movement. Hands point, seize, caress. An arm grabbed, child pulled away edge before, after, reaching food slapped. Little run hide After admonished way, one's cheeks sudden heat. shout, intimately. laughed about, speaker, close recounting humorous mishap—a button open bra revealed argument merchant price turns own miscalculation. Among adults, rarely, ever, touch another, touching may occur. specific gesture accompanies articulation. index finger high cheek, below eye, far nose, brings down, line. Uiat. sign stigma. two—word gesture—are simultaneously, suffice; cases, silent alone carries weight. rarely halt action, children. They different modulation. elder boss offending later relating moments evaluation scowl jerky, threatening involvement receiving admonition elemental conjures. first foremost felt outset perpetually one. palpable invective received ways comprehended. hearing necessarily marks, generated interwoven abstractly “emotional regimes” (Bloch 318–22), demands” (Collins Behar 2000, 36), “moral (Plesset 2007, 432) incite transgressions. This, occur cultivated intimate experience. course, hits ceases. Even exclaim uttered internally, oneself. decades regularly, insistently, internal launches itself else And external exclamation, exerts impediment, becomes clear discussion Begaiym, old friend late 50s, lives small town southern haven't seen years. together, perform table etiquette, Begaiym laughs delight. “Oh, Julie,” says, “you well! You didn't forget.” chuckle reply, “Begaiym, don't it!” tell happened capital Bishkek, live alone. One leaving apartment, realized I'd forgotten something. inside, tiptoes, big stride manage, strained item, floor possible. thought, looked awkwardly maneuvered toward object. couldn't myself walk item. Though wear apartment Amsterdam, uncomfortable again. “Waaii … Julie!” says. “Of course! real woman!” I, come provoked uiat. Dinara's lessons, admonitions terrain allowed. As result, unease thought arose hand. engaged improper. inseparable. name already exists; incites discomfort, cannot reduced itself, consists hope place. resulting vary. Kunduz, struggles unpredictable effect relationship 10-year-old daughter, Ainura. two,