"Invented and Inventive Traditions": Traditional Medicines, Continuity and Change in Central Asia

In this discussion article I consider traditional medicine(s) in Central Asia as social practices embedded in continuities and discontinuities with the recent socialist past. I argue that among important continuities are dominance of (Russian/Soviet) scientific discourse, but also readiness to embrace multiple healing modalities. I pay particular attention to "invented traditions" as the mediators between continuity and change. They represent continuity with socialism which invented many "traditions" to help navigate through turbulent periods by creating an illusion of timelessness, stability and continuity. Nevertheless, invented traditions are also "inventive". I discuss this in case of (fringe) healing modalities underpinned by spiritualities to argue that such modalities bring into post-socialist social contexts new understandings of work and identity formation, indicate transition into consumer society and present a model of appropriate consumption while enabling those who can afford it to subtly assert increasing social differences.