In a rural town near the Caspian Sea during the Russian conquest of Central Asia in the late 19th century, Amira travels across the mountains to marry Karluk, a young boy eight years her junior.
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I created this family tree to provide a clearer picture of the relationships between individuals.
In this society, children typically live with their parents throughout their lives unless they, particularly women, get married and move to their spouse's family.
Seleke did not move in with Yusuf's family because her own family is wealthier. Instead, Yusuf moved in with Seleke's family.
The Eihon family belongs to the Uzbek community residing in the Khanate of Khiva, a historical region in Central Asia called Khwarezm. The events of the story take place in the late 1800s.
Amira and Balkirsh both come from the Halgal tribe, a nomadic group of Kazakhs. Amira is the daughter of Belqat Halgal, the chief of the Halgal tribe.
