Chechens: Culture and Society

Chechens: Culture and Society is an ethnography that elaborates the lived experiences of Chechens, focusing primarily on relationships and socio-cultural norms within the context of the current conflict in the Chechen Republic. Drawing on ten years' experience living and working with Chechens in the North Caucasus Republic of Ingushetia and Istanbul, Turkey, the author utilizes tales as data, incorporating direct observation and her own participation in Chechens' lives. The book examines norms described in their 'ideal' form, as told by Chechens, but also norms as they are played out in real lives. At present, nearly one-third of the Chechen nation lives as refugees outside the homeland. This is a time of cultural exploration for Chechens, perhaps a revival, perhaps destruction. The book explores the socio-cultural structures involved in managing the Chechnan collective and also examines differences and conflicts within the collective, providing insight into the difficulties of maintaining cultural standards under difficult circumstances.

Katherine S. Layton's research targets the nexus of politics and culture, the concept of "development," and the paradoxes of culture and rights. A former human rights professional, Layton has nearly twenty years of fieldwork experience with refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the North Caucasus, and Turkey. Currently, she teaches courses in Political Science and Qualitative Methods at Tallahassee Community College, USA.

1. Introduction
2. Living in Tales
3. Cultural Symbolisms
4. Men and Women
5. In the Looking Glass, and Looking Out
6. Chechens as Refugees
7. Development: What Way Forward?
8. Additional Literature and Discussion