The Tajiks live in relative isolation in the glacier-capped Pamir Mountains of West China near the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia. Soaring mountains surround this Tajik district on three sides with a desert on the fourth. The largest concentration of Tajiks live on the edge of Tashkorgan, a small town (population 5,000) that lies 10,000 feet above sea level on the outskirts of a large glacier valley. Tashkorgan is just off the famous Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and Central Asia.

The Tajik people pay great attention to etiquette. Youth must greet seniors, and when relatives or friends meet they will shake hands and the men will pat each other's beard. Even when strangers meet on the road, they will greet each other by putting the thumbs together and saying, "May I help you?" Guests visiting a Tajik family must not stomp on salt or food, drive through the host's flocks on horseback, get near to his sheep pens, or kick his sheep, all of which are considered to be impolite. During dinner, the guests must not drop leftovers on the ground and must remain in their seats until the table is cleared. It is also a breach of etiquette to take off the hat while talking to others, unless an extremely grave problem is being discussed.