Uzbek national traditions

Uzbek national traditions.

PLAN:

1.Uzbekistan Traditions and Customs

2.PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN UZBEKISTAN

The Uzbek culture has much in common with the culture of other Muslim countries, but nevertheless it has its own features. Having booked a tour to Uzbekistan in our company you will have a fascinating opportunity to feel on your personal experience all original beauty and a rich cultural heritage of the Uzbek people.

A great number of rites and customs accompany the Uzbek family life. Weddings are considered to be the most important event in one's life. Preparations for this special occasion begin from the birth.

Uzbeks love to gather in big groups and entertain the whole village (kishlak) or mahallya (community in cities) on family occasions. Mass people's festivities are widely celebrated. They are followed by various ceremonies, festive bazaars at which musicians, dancers, wrestlers perform. Uzbeks are very friendly and hospitable people. It is said: "If one does not have delicious food for a guest, one should have sweet words for him". Uzbeks are supportive of each other. The ancient custom of Khashar is a unique form of mutual assistance. If a fellow-villager finds himself in difficulty, all the neighbours gather to help him. Mutual assistance reveals itself also while preparing for wedding and circumcision parties, house building, and funeral ceremonies. Uzbeks traditionally have respect for older people.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN UZBEKISTAN

January, 1st - New Year

Uzbekistan celebrates New Year on the first of January. This holiday was introduced to Uzbek people together with the adoption of Gregorian Calendar in the end of 19th century by russians. Therefore, the celebration of a New Year and the symbols of the holiday is almost same as in Russia. Main symbol is, of course a decorated Christmas tree. However, locals do not associate it with the Christmas. Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden are also main characters of the New Year in Uzbekistan. People at this time celebrate and widely mark this holiday with native and close behind the covered elegant table. Also gifts and surprises are traditionally presented each other. They will visit friends and relatives or enjoy themselves dancing until midnight from 31st December till 1st January, when hours solemnly beat 12 hours. Then they welcome the New Year wishing each other happy new year. Some people gather in Restaurants or night clubs, where special New Year Party shows are orginized, while others meet with family members at homes.

January, 14th - Day of Defenders of the Native Land

This holiday in independent Uzbekistan is celebrated in honor of creation of own Army forces. On 14th January, 1992, the parliament made a decision on transition of all parts and connections, military educational institutions and other military formations of the soviet army deployed in territory of the country under jurisdiction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Holiday is celebrated in mainly military institutionas and widely publicized in mass media.

March, 8th - International Women’s' Day

Nowadays this is a major day of global celebration of women. This holiday was introduced to Uzbek people as a honor to working women during the soviet era. however, it is lost its ts political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day that are celebrated in the West. On this day it is customary for men to give the women in their lives – mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc. – flowers and small gifts.

March, 21st - Navruz

Literally means New Day in Persian language. Although Navruz is not an islamic holiday, it was widely celebrated among locals (mainly muslims) as a beginning of the New Year before the Georgian calendar was intuduced. Celebrating navruz was prohibited in soviet times, but after the independence, the government declared it as a national holiday and symbol of spring. Symbols: Blossoming trees and flowers, sprin, sumalak (national dish) In Navruz Many Uzbek family prepare for national dishes such as: sumalak, halim, samosa from spring greens, pilov and others. Preparation of sumalak, which is usually boiled in large pots and needs continuous mixing, takes approximatety 24 hours. Thus, people gather around the pots and spend the day and night singing and dancing national folclore. People go out on navruz with family members or friends and attend Navruz celebrations, national dance and sporting shows, which are orginized in city and town centers and parks.

May, 9th - Day of Memory and Honor

Firstly celebrated as the Victory Day that marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. It was first inaugurated in the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union. It has been celebrated since 1946 and the holiday became a non-labour day only in 1965 and only in some of the countries. After the independence, Uzbekistan built Memorial of Memory in the center of Tashkent in 1999 and declared 9th of May as a Day of Memory and Honor. Now, this holiday is celebrated in honour and memory of compatriots who spend their lives protecting the country, its freedom and independence in the past. Poeople visit memorials and place flowers. Visit elder people who have spend their lives heroically and remember those who have passed. Mainly at memorials of Memory and Honour that are found in almost all city centers

September, 1st - Independence Day

One of the greatest and widely celebrated holidays of Uzbekistan - Independence Day. The country obtained its independence from Soviet Union on September 1st, 1991 and since then it is celebrating this day as a National Holiday. Holiday celebrations, festivals and concierts are organized throughout the country and people go out for public places and parks in the city. Mass media widely publicizes the events hold in various places of the country and broadcasts the concierts. Main celebration conciert, where the president of Uzbekistan attends, is hold on August 31st in Tashkent's Navoi Park.

October, 1st - Teachers' Day

Students congratulate their teachers and give flowers and small gifts. media broadcasts many programs and shows dedicated to the education and role of teachers in the development of new generation.

December, 8th - Constitution Day

This holiday marks the adoption of new constitution of the independent country on December 8th, 1992. Government organizes celebration and concerts in many places and awards some people in honor of their work and patriotism.

Eid al-Adha (Ramazon hayit) and Eid al-Fitr (Kurban Hayit)

As in all countries where live muslims, Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are widely celebrated in Uzbekistan too. People have been celebrating these holidays for many centuries but they were prohibited during the soviet times. But after the independence government declared them as a naitonal holiday. Men go to mosques early morning to pray holiday prayers and then visit relatives. Women set up a holiday table. Elders give candies and sweets to children.

Uzbek national wedding

The major holiday in life of any person is wedding. Traditionally neighbors, colleagues, relatives from near and far cities and settlements, friends and acquaintances from mahalla (local quarter) are invited for the ceremony, so in the end it comes as several hundreds of people. In this connection for last decades in the cities they have built capacious wedding restaurants which are called toyhona (“toy” is a holiday, “hona” is a room).

Modern Uzbek weddings take place mainly according to ancient traditions and ceremonies: since early morning in the house of the groom national tools - karnay and surnay sound, mother sees off the son, calling to him three times and at last treating with a sweet (to make family life sweet), and he gives her a handkerchief with money; further the groom with friends goes to the house of the bride accompanied by musicians, friends by all means should dance on road, and time to time someone from them jumps up and tries to bring down a wedding cap from the groom’head (even if he doesn’t wear it).

Beshik-toy

Beshik Toyi – a ritual solemnity related to the first put of the baby into the cradle. This is one of the most ancient and widespread ceremonies in Uzbekistan. Usually this event is held on the 7th, 9th, 11th day after the birth of the baby. In various areas of Uzbekistan, this ritual takes place in a different way scale of the event depends on the family's income: rich families usually celebrate this event widely inviting neighbors and most of the relatives. Families with low income celebrate it moderately within the family. Beshik ("cradle") and other necessary stuff such as baby table, clothes, toy and etc. for the baby are provided by the relatives of the baby from a mother side. Baby's parents, grandparents prepare gifts. Richly decorated beshik and gifts are loaded into the vehicle together with the guests. With sounds of local musicians the vehicle goes to the house where baby is born. By tradition, delivered beshik is taken on the right shoulder by baby's grandfather, and then passed to the right shoulder of his son, who then delivers it to baby's mother. Guests are invited into the living room to the rich table. In the next room, in the presence of old women baby’s clothes are changed and put into the cradle. At the end of the ceremony, guests come to see the baby and to deliver presents. When ceremony is over, guests go home with full of good emotions, presents, wishing the best to the house and the hosts!

Sunnat toy - Khatna Qilish - Circumcision

Khatna Qilish is another ancient Uzbek ceremony adopted after accepting Islam (Sunnat Tuyi). This ceremony is held for boys at ages 3, 5, 7, 9 but nowadays this aging is not strict and one can do this ceremony when needed. This ceremony is also called “Sunnat”. Since the birth of a baby boy, parents begin preparation for the Sunnat Tuyi, gradually acquiring all necessary things. Few months before the ceremony which is often referred to as the "Celebration" ("Tui"), active preparations are started. Relatives and neighbors help sew quilts, prepare gifts. All this often ordered to the women with large family in terms of children. Prior to celebration, the Quran is recited in the presence of the elders of Mahalla (Neighborhood), imam of the mosque and relatives. Table is set and after the Quran is read elders bless the boy. During the celebration different gifts and presents are given to the child. In the past, it was customary to give the foal, on which the boy was seated. It as was a sign of a man - a warrior. On the same day, among the women held "Tahurar" - lying blankets and pillows on the chest, this ceremony is usually done by a respected woman. Lavish food including world famous “Palov” ends the ceremonial.

Morning Osh Palov

Ceremony of the morning palov usually held during the wedding and memorial services, other holidays like birth of child or anniversaries. Normally, host of the palov, after discussion with close relative and community, fix the date of palov long beforehand and send invitations. The day before the actual palov, in the house of the host family, preparations starts for the palov, including clearing and preparing of all necessary ingredients for the palov, and other food on the table. Normally all close relative and friends of the family taking part in this process. After preparations ended, all guests are invited for the dinner. Usually artists are also invited for “Sabzi Tograr”. Also, during the “Sabzi tograr” elders are distributing the tasks among youngsters for tomorrow’s palov. Morning feasting should be ready by the time when morning pray ends and first guests are arrived. Normally, in the summer time, it is about 4-5 am and in winter about 6-7 am. During the palov, Uzbek musical instruments like “Karnay” and “Surnay” “Doira” and “Nogora” played to please the guests and announce the celebration. Guests get comfortable around the tables and after blessing the hosts and good wishes, tea and famous Uzbek hot breads served. Palov is served in “lagans” (big plate) – one plate for two guests. After meal is finished, lagans are taken off and guests again make wishes and blessing of the host and leave. After, tables refreshed quickly for the new guests. Morning palov usually lasts no more than one and a half to two hours. During the feast artists are performing for the guests with classic songs. In morning palov, for honorable guests gifts are given – usually these are “Chapan” (traditional men's robes) which is another tradition of hospitable Uzbek people. Memorial palov is a bit different from the holiday palov. In this case, guests are reading the verses from Quran and remember with good words of deceased person, presenting condolences to the family of the deceased person. After palov, again they read the verses from Quran and leave. There are no artist invited for such ceremonies and tables are more modest. It is interesting to note that in both holiday and funeral palov, only men participating.

Mahalla – The Neighborhood

To the traditional forms of social relations in Uzbekistan belongs first of all “Mahalla” – the neighborhood community. Uzbek “Mahalla” has rich and ancient history and is the center of family and religious ceremonies and festivals. Here in “Mahalla” carefully preserved and passed on from one to next generation their holding rituals. Usually, there is a local mosque in each “Mahalla”. It is still alive old tradition of mutual aid – “Hashar”. With this aid “Khashar” community helps build the houses for the inhabitants of local “Mahalla”, improving their district, street, city and etc. In sovereign Uzbekistan “Mahalla” has become the keeper of cultural and moral traditions of the Uzbek people, recognized as self-government mechanism. Today “Mahalla” is a territorial association of families with a goal to co-operation and mutual help in whole territory of Uzbekistan both old districts with old and traditional houses and new parts of cities with high-rise buildings. In “Mahalla” live in peace and harmony people of different nationalities. Network of more than 10,000 “Mahallas” covers the entire territory of the country and are an important element in the strengthening of civil society. The entire population of Uzbekistan will recognize them as an effective form of social life.

Uzbekistan is one of the oldest regions of Central Asia, the main asset of which is a rich historical past. Already about 2,000 years ago, world-famous cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand Urgench and Khiva existed here. In addition to the archaeological and historical monuments, Uzbekistan has a rich and diverse natural world.

Nature generously rewarded Uzbekistan with an amazing variety of landscapes: the hot sands of the Kyzyl Kum desert side by side with lakes of amazing freshness and purity; lifeless steppes alternate with green oases, where in the shade of grape vines it is so nice to drink honey of the sweetest melon; The beautiful peaks of the Tien Shan mountains, fertile valleys with flowering orchards, huge cotton fields, powerful streams of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, ancient cities, where from high minarets you can see to the snowy peaks – all this is Uzbekistan.

During its long history, the Uzbek land has seen a lot: the rise and fall of the powerful empires of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Amir Temur, devastating wars, the rise of scientific thought and the erection of architectural masterpieces. Uzbekistan has repeatedly become the crossroads of worlds, where different cultures and civilizations met: thousands of rich caravans of the Great Silk Road passed here, which connected the Middle East and the Mediterranean with India and China. Along the life-giving arteries of the caravan roads, new cities flourished, the national cuisine absorbed the best recipes of overseas dishes, the secrets of which the merchants willingly shared.

Today, Uzbekistan is a modern democratic republic with excellent service and a developed tourist infrastructure.

In Uzbekistan, you can engage in a variety of types of tourism: cultural tourism by historical places, eco-tourism, skiing, horse ride, rafting, trekking, mountaineering, fishing and safari.

Geography

The state is located in the central and northwestern parts of Central Asia, in the interfluve of the Amudarya and Syrdarya. The territory of the republic stretches from west to east at 1,425 km, and from north to south at 930 km and is 447.4 thousand square kilometers.

In the north, Uzbekistan is bordered by Kazakhstan, in the northeast by Kyrgyzstan, in the southeast by Tajikistan, in the southwest by Turkmenistan, and in the south by Afghanistan. The total length of the borders - 6221 km. The length of the borders with Afghanistan is 137 km., With Kazakhstan – 2.203 km., Kyrgyzstan – 1.099 km., Tajikistan – 1.161 km., Turkmenistan – 1.621 km.

The republic not only does not have direct access to seaport.

The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent, with a population of over 2.5 million. Tashkent is the only Central Asian city which has an underground railway system (Tashkent Metro). Its stations are probably among the world’s most beautiful.

Political system

Uzbekistan is a presidential republic whereby the President of Uzbekistan is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Legislative Chamber and Senate.

Time

The time in Uzbekistan is 2 hours ahead of Moscow. The time zone of Uzbekistan is +5 GMT.

Climate

Uzbekistan is a sunny republic. The climate is sharply continental. It is expressed in sharp amplitudes of day and night, summer and winter temperatures. Nature is arid, precipitation is low, relative humidity is low. The length of the day in the summer is about 15 hours, in the winter – at least nine.

The coldest month is January, when the temperature in the north drops to 8 degrees below zero, and in the extreme south, not far from the city of Termez, it can be above zero. The absolute minimum of winter temperatures is 35-38 degrees below zero.

The climate of Uzbekistan is favorable for traveling about the country throughout the year.

The most favorable time for traveling in Uzbekistan is spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November), since it is too hot in summer, especially in July, and in winter it is cool and there is a lot of rain. The best time to visit the mountainous areas is from March to November, because the air in the mountains is not as hot as on the plains. The ski season lasts from November to April.

But since mid-July to mid-August in Uzbekistan, it's time to chilla - people call like that the hottest time, when the temperature is at the level of + 35-40 ° C and in some regions of the country it is higher.

The hottest month is July, and in mountainous areas, July August. The average temperature in this period in the plains and foothills is 25-30 degrees Celsius, and in the south (Termez and Sherabad) it reaches 41-42 degrees. The maximum air temperature was recorded in the city of Termez –50 degrees (July 1944).

Сlothing for traveling around Uzbekistan

Before traveling around Uzbekistan, choosing what clothing to put in a suitcase, prefer things made of cotton and other natural fabrics. Free t-shirts and shorts will be very appropriate for both men and women. Do not forget about comfortable footwear, because most of the excursion programs - is walking. Be sure to take a light headdress and sunglasses. And if your skin is especially sensitive to bright sunlight, it is advisable to have some cream from sunburn. At the beginning of spring (March - early April) and at the end of autumn (October - November) it is better to take a windbreaker, a jacket or a thin sweater. In winter the temperature can drop to minus 3-5 ° C, so the best option - raincoat or warm jacket and hat.

Undoubtedly, you should remember about respectful attitude to local traditions, culture and religion. Therefore, when visiting religious places of worship it is necessary to have a scarf or a shawl to cover your head and shoulders. Please also note that in Uzbekistan while visiting houses of worship shoes are taken off.

Landuage

In most parts of the territory, annual precipitation does not exceed 200-300 millimeters. Uzbek is the state language, Russian is the language of international communication.

Religion

About 88% of the population of Uzbekistan is Muslim, and most of them are Sunni. 9% are Orthodox Christians. Protestants, Catholics, Jews and Buddhists also reside in the country.

Population

Over 26 million people. Currently, more than 130 countries and nationalities live in Uzbekistan. The ethnic composition of the population is as follows: Uzbeks – 72%, Russians – 8%, Tajiks – 5%, Kazakhs – 4%, Tatars – 2%, Karakalpaks – 2%, Tatars – 1.5%. Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Koreans, Uigurs, Jews, Armenians, Ukrainians and others.

Electricity

Electricity in Uzbekistan is used 220 volts 50Hz, in hotels there are also plugs with three inlets. It is desirable that you have a suitable adapter.

Currency

The national currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbek sum (UZS). There are banknotes in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 50,000 soum. Almost all bills of the same size and differ only in color. The banknotes depict monuments of culture and art of U zbekistan.

You can exchange currency at branches of the National Bank, specialized exchange offices and in some hotels.

It is worth noting that the most popular foreign currency in Uzbekistan remains the US dollar. However, bills should not be dented, have any damage, bends, otherwise they will be extremely difficult to exchange.

According to the new rules, it is now possible to exchange foreign currency without presenting a passport (up to 9000 USD).

In Tashkent airport on arrival it is necessary to fill in two declarations at the customs station, one of which must be saved until the end of your trip. Customs inspection it is primarily filling the declaration, in which you should indicate how much money and in what currency you bring into the country, if you have weapons, psychotropic substances and other things that are obliged to inform in advance. Be sure to fill in this declaration in two copies. One copy of the customs declaration always remains at the customs station after the checking and the second copy you should save till the end of the trip - you'll need it when you leave the country. The fact is that when leaving the country you fill in the declaration again. The customs officer on the way back may require the first declaration. If you do not have it, how do you prove for instance, that you do not take out more money than you have brought in?

Import of foreign currency in Uzbekistan is not limited. When importing more than USD 5000 (or the equivalent in other foreign currency) the customs authorities issue a certificate form TC-28.When importing cash foreign currency exceeding USD 10,000, there will be charged a fee of 1 percent.

The export of foreign currency is permitted up to the amount having been imported into the republic in accordance with the customs declaration.

Connection

You can call another country from the hotel or from the central post offices. Telephones that support international communication can only be found in major tourist centers, at some airports and railway stations. Such telephones operate on plastic cards. Cards are sold at magazine kiosks, post offices and shops.

In order to call from Russia to Uzbekistan, you must dial 8 – 10 – 998 (country code) – city code – subscriber number. Tashkent code – 71.

In order to call from Uzbekistan to Russia, you must dial 8 – 10 – 7 – city code – subscriber number.