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Introduction

Yagnob Valley, Takikistan, is home to the Yagnobi - an indigenous people directly descended from the ancient Sogdian civilization of Central Asia. They have lived in their isolated valley home for centuries, surviving the successive waves of invasions and conquests from foreign invaders and nomads that destroyed the surrounding valley oases. The Yagnob Valley has long served as a last refuge for the surviving Sogdians and their descendants, fleeing the armies of Greeks, Arabs and Mongols.

The valley is formed by the Yagnob river and belongs to the Zerafshan basin. The length of the Yagnob River is 116 km and its basin is 1660 sq km. Two rivers, Kumbila and Barzangi, originating in the glaciers of the Takali Mountains, join to make the Yagnob River. The Yagnob flows parallel to Zerafshan and divides two mountain ranges- Zerafshan and Gissar.

The survival of the Yagnob Valley's endangered small ethnic group is directly linked to the preservation of its fragile natural habitat. Due to its geographical isolation and limited access, the people of Yagnob have been able to preserve their distinct lifestyle, culture and language, Yagnobi, which is closely related to ancient Soghdian. One can also find that some of the pre-Islamic beliefs, customs and Zoroastrian signs and symbols are still alive in the valley.