Navruz in Uzbekistan

Sumalak – the main holiday dish of Navruz
The fun of the fair on Navruz day is a plate with germinated wheat! This dish is necessarily present on every festive table.
From the seeds of sprouted wheat sumalak - the main festive treat is cooked. Sumalak is cooked in a special way; it's a real ritual, in which only women participate. During the process women dance, sing songs.
Sumalak is prepared for twenty-four hours. The women slowly stir sprouted wheat grains in a huge pot. The grains gradually transform into a thick viscous brown mass. During the stirring in the boiler one can hear interesting sounds. Small pebbles or nuts, which are well washed, especially placed on the bottom of the boiler at the beginning of cooking sumalak in order it does not burn during cooking. Well, if this stone or a nut will be in your bowl of sumalak, you should rejoice, because the whole year will be successful and happy for you!
After cooling, dainties are served. It is assumed that the image, which will appear on the surface of sumalak one can determine that a new year promises, and the dish itself gives people physical and spiritual forces.
There is a popular belief that this recipe was invented by the first people inhabiting Central Asia during the relentless winter. According to one legend, the cold was intense, and almost out of food stocks and settlers could do nothing but cook sprouted wheat grains, along with all the products that they had. This dish helped them to escape from hunger and add strength. Since sumalak has been prepared every year.
Traditional ceremonies during Nowruz
According to popular belief, the first guest of the New Year should have a soft and good character, a good sense of humor, a kind name and reputation, and most importantly - to have a "happy foot", that is, to bring stroke to the house.
Since ancient times, in Uzbekistan on Navruz customs were arranged. Many Nowruz traditions have survived until today.
Here for example, such an unusual and, alas, forgotten rite - gulgardoni (walking with flowers). Snowdrops are symbol of the New Year. They need to gather in the early morning, and then to tie to a long pole. With these poles boys go to the neighbors and congratulate them, and the neighbors treat them with goodies.
With Nowruz a loved by the people an ancient traditional game kupkari is linked. The goal is to snatch the lamb from the hands of the enemy and with this trophy gallop to the finish line. The grand prize is awarded to the winner by respected elders.
Spring Navruz tours in Uzbekistan
Navruz is a holiday, which is being waited for impatiently, because it's the end of the harsh winter, the beginning of a new life when in advance there are only warm sunny days. The trip to Uzbekistan in this holiday is a great opportunity to get to know the culture, cuisine and fun of the locals.