Hughes Kraft, “Ouzbek Woman” 1880
The spirit of defiance in this nineteenth century photograph is palpable. This reminds me of the photographs that the French took in Algeria in the same time period. There is a challenge in these expressions. There are more expressions like this in the women of the rest of Turkestan: Kyrgyz, Kazak and Turkmen women in similar defiant poses. Right now, this is only part one of a series of photos for an essay on Turkestan women and defiance.
Zohra Saed 
Very impressive indeed. I thought Uzbek women wore their head and face like us Iranians in the same period. Thought tribal women in Iran also didn’t have full Hijab more or less like her.
Yes Uzbeks wore the paranji and it’s multilayered. Her outfit is too neat and fancy to be in rural areas. Most likely she is 15 yrs old so young still for the full paranji. But different areas were different in niqab. If she was a horsewoman then she wouldn’t be in paranji all the time. She looks like she is much more mobile but still well-dressed so from an upperclass family. Iran and Turkestan is very different.
really cool. I am going to launch a brand with this power lady as inspiration
That’s awesome!!!