1. Uzbek national holidays

1.Uzbek national holidays
Nowruz (New day) is celebrated on March 21, the day of vernal equinox. This day Uzbek families cook national dishes such as sumalyak, pilaf, samsa and others. This holiday symbolizes friendship, unity and brotherhood of all peoples. That is why, this day people must forgive each other, not quarrel, as well as help the poor men. According to tradition, all this brings home good luck, prosperity and well-being. People visit their relatives and friends, sing songs, as well as wish the New Year to be prosperous. The Uzbeks who live in villages arrange traditional competitions and games.
Ramazan Hait is celebrated on the 9 month Hijri on Muslim calendar. It is a celebration of moral and spiritual purification. After fasting-day – Uraza, which lasts 30 days, is celebrated Ramazan Hait. During Uraza it is not allowed to eat, drink and take pleasure. But after sunset and before sunrise it is allowed to eat and drink. All believers must respect each other and avoid bad thoughts. After this people celebrate Ramazan Hait. The holiday lasts for three days.
The greatest holiday, celebrated by Muslims, is Kurban Hait holiday. There is a legend, once one of the ancestors of the peoples of northern Arabia Ibrahim saw Allah in his dream, who told him to bring to sacrifice his son Ishmael. When he was ready to kill the boy, Allah was sure in his devotion and told him to bring him a lamb. So, this day every faithful Muslim sacrifices a sheep or lamb. This day Uzbek families cook different dishes visit their relatives and friends.
There are also other holidays in Uzbekistan: New Year is celebrated on January 1, Day of Defenders of Motherland – January 14, International Women’s Day – March 8, Memorial Day – May 9, Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan – September 1, Teacher’s Day – October 1, Constitution Day – December 8.
Different kinds of events are frightfully loved in the East. And Uzbekistan is not the exception. If you have ever read the Eastern tales, you know that they all finish like this: at the end they got married, and they were celebrating the wedding for 40 days and 40 nights, and they lived for a long time and were happy…Of course forty days weddings may be only in the tales. But, nevertheless, in the East the weddings are very big and they are hold at least 2-3 days. In Uzbekistan all events are called Tuy. Wedding – nikokh tuy, child birth – beshik tuy, circumcision of the son according to the Muslim traditions – sunnat tuy and etc.
The celebrations are prepared and directed by women. Men are breadwinners, and they have no time to be busy about the holiday rush, and that is why men have no time for these traditions and ceremonies. Men usually solve key issues and participate in principal negotiations between the parents of the bride and groom. All the little things related to the wedding are decided by highly respected women.