The Legend of the Tajikistan Yeti

Legends and stories are part of what makes culture, tradition, and people so interesting. Oral tradition was the method of passing information and keeping historical occurrences alive from generation to generation. Some stories have changed so much over the years that they have turned into things that are almost unbelievable. We don’t even know if they’re true or not. And, one of these stories, is the story of the Yeti. A yeti, in Asian folklore, is thought to be a giant human and ape-like being that is found in snowy mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas. Depending on the culture, this “being” goes by different names, and surrounding countries claim the Yeti as their own story as well.

In Tajikistan, around 1967, Russian soldiers reported seeing a “snowman” in the Pamir mountain ranges. Their commander ordered them to catch it or to kill it. They ended up shooting it along the border, and apparently the body was secretly taken and sent to Moscow. There have been many sightings of similar creatures or “snow people”, and some people believe them to be true.

There have been many reported sightings of these creatures beginning as far back as the 19^th century. And before that time, these types of beings were found in certain Asian folklore and religious depictions. They have been sighted in the Himalayas, the Pamir mountains, and Siberia. In the sightings, people have reported seeing a large, hulking figure, without clothes, yet walking like a man. It has been seen at great heights and out in the cold, snowy weather. People have also found unusual tracks that look similar to a barefoot man’s footprints.

While many of the evidence and reports on these creatures seem almost ridiculous, there is always the question in people’s minds, “What if it IS true?” The legend of the Yeti continues in Tajikistan today. For those adventurous spirits, exploring the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan might be just the kind of holiday they’re looking for. Even without the legend of the Yeti, the Pamir Mountains are majestic and jaw-dropping. But, it would be even more incredible if you happen to bump into the Taijikstan Yeti or the Abominable Snowman…