Militarism shaped the physical dimensions of childhood in Tajikistan during the Tajik Civil War (1993–1997). Even in civilian zones, children interacted with military artifacts during daily play: children made slingshots from gas masks, played on rubble, and constructed whistles from bullets. Through a qualitative study exploring space construction and normalization among Tajik youth, the article examines the role physical remnants of militarism played in their childhoods. The analysis of their narratives explores how youth navigate and understand environments shaped by conflict.
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