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Uzbekistan Today

Customs and Traditions of the Uzbek peopleCustoms and Traditions in Uzbekistan

Most likely, everybody is familiar with the following collocation: "in accordance with the rites of hospitality". In a sense it reflects one of the most ancient and highly valued customs that has survived to our time. In the older days, however, among the peoples of the Orient, including the Uzbeks, hospitality was a must in terms of life standards and morality.


Uzbek National MusicUzbek National Music

From afar, over the roofs of the houses, the inviting blaring tones of karnais are resounding - today there is a wedding in the makhalla: a respectable neighbor is marrying off his daughter. Singing the song with the refrain "Yor-Yor!" the women are seeing the bride to the groom's house. Since time immemorial the most important events in the lives of the Uzbeks, from cradle to grave, have always been accompanied by ritual music and songs. On the seventh day of his life a baby is for the first time swaddled and put to beshik -cradle to the accompaniment of the lullaby "Alla". If a child is ill, he is comforted with the chant "Badik". The ancient laments "Yigi" and "Yuklov" can still be heard at funerals and commemorative ceremonies. Many Uzbek families cherish and hand down their traditional ritual songs. Full of special meaning, these songs often date back to the age of the pre-Muslim culture.


Uzbek National CuisineUzbek National Cuisine

It is said that in order to get to know a person better, 36 pounds of salt should be eaten with him. So, in order to know better the customs and culture of a nation, its national dishes should be tasted. The Uzbek national cuisine has a centuries-old history and reflects the diversity of the customs and traditions of the people. The development of the cuisine benefited much from the new crops which had come from the countries of the Great Silk Road. Moreover, the local rulers used to bring the best culinary experts from the conquered lands.


Uzbek PlovUzbek Plov

Plov is the king of Uzbek cuisine. Plov is served during a wedding feast and to celebrate the arrival of honorable guest, at the crowded jubilee celebrations and in the family circle. Neither a friendly dinner nor funeral repast can do without plov. Dishes made of rice are known almost in every country of the East, but the Uzbek plov, recipe of which was created in the ancient times, can be called the masterpiece of culinary art. There are a lot of folk parables and legends about healing and nourishing qualities of plov.


Museums of UzbekistanMuseums of Uzbekistan

Museums are said to be the mirror of history. And the history of Uzbekistan is tightly connected with the history of the Great Silk Road, which for millenniums crossed the territory of the country.


Theatres of Uzbekistan

Theatres of Uzbekistan"All the world's a stage", claimed William Shakespeare and even placed these words as slogan at the entrance of his Globe Theatre. Since ancient times artistic and musical nature typical for Uzbek people showed up in their ritual activities. In ancient times on the market squares the theatrical performances given by buskers -maskaraboz gathered hundreds of spectators, and at the time of national holidays rope walkers accompanied their performances with pantomime. Nowadays galaxies of talented actors work in musical and drama theatre companies of Uzbekistan.


Holidays and Festivals of UzbekistanUzbekistan Holidays and Festivals

As a rule, every country has its major national holiday. More often than not this is Independence Day. In the past most of today's independent states - including the USA - were colonies, dominions, protectorates, or mandated territories. In other words, they were dependencies. So, many peoples in Asia, Africa and America were engaged in achieving their ultimate goal of liberty and independence.


Bazaars of Uzbekistan

Bazaars of UzbekistanThe traditional idea of an oriental bazaar as a place of abundant merchandise, brightness of colours and lively bustle finds its embodiment in Uzbekistan. A perfect bazaar is crammed with produce, it has a motley appearance and allows loud voices and exclamations; it is a place to which bargaining is intrinsic. There are over 15 big bazaars in Tashkent. Eski Juva bazaar is the biggest and the oldest one not only in Uzbekistan but also in the whole Central Asia. This bazaar is located in the very heart of so called Old Town of the capital, next to Chorsu square. Eski Juva has been operating at almost one and the same place for over two thousand years.


Nature of UzbekistanUzbekistan Nature

Nature in Uzbekistan is unique and incredibly diverse. Uzbekistan occupies a vast area in the very heart of Central Asia, with the largest part of the country lying between the rivers Amudarya and Syrdarya. The territory of Uzbekistan spreads from Ustyurt Plateau in the west to as far as Ferghana Valley in the east, and is 447,4 thousand square kilometers in area. Uzbekistan borders Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.