Customs and traditions of the Uzbek people have been forming for centuries. They are very distinctive, impressive and different, dating back to different epochs and religions. Most festive Uzbek customs are related with major family celebrations: wedding and birth, engagement etc. Hospitality - Hospitality is one of Uzbekistan features. Hospitality in Uzbek families is appreciated higher than the wealth of a table and prosperity of the family. Not to receive a guest means to disgrace the family, kin and makhalla.
- Hosts welcome esteemed guests at the gate. As a rule, men shake hands to each other and show their interest in each-other’s health, business and other things. It is appropriate to greet women with slight bow, attaching right hand over the heart.
- Then guests are invited inside and to the most honorable seats at the table, or dastarkhan in Uzbek. By the ancient custom men and women should seat at the separate tables, but this custom is preserved in whole only in suburbs. The head of the family himself seats guests round the table, and the most honored guests are seated away from the entrance.
Any meal begins and ends with tea drinking. At the beginning the table is served with sweets, baked goods, dried fruits, nuts, fruits and vegetables, then it is served with snacks and at the end – with pilaf or other festal dish. The host of the house pours the tea. The traditional element of hospitality is the peculiar small amount of tea to be poured: the more honored guest, the less amount of tea is in his cup. This custom is explained in such way: the more guest asks the host for more, the better. It is the sign of respect to the house. If tea is remained in the bottom of the piala, the host pours it out and again fills piala with tea. Beshik-Tui - This ancient ceremony has been preserved in Uzbekistan culture from times immemorial and still is one of the most popular holidays in Uzbekistan. It is celebrated on the fortieth day after birthday of a child. Relatives of the young mother bring “beshik”, a beautifully embellished cradle, clothes, and everything necessary for a newborn. Also it is a custom to bring bread, sweets and toys, wrapped in clothes. Traditionally, while guests enjoy and regaling themselves at the holiday table, in the nursery elder women carry on the rite of first swaddling and placing the child into the “beshik”. The ceremony finishes with a presentation of a child, during which invited guests present the child with gifts.
Fatikha-Tui (Engagement) - The engagement is performed with the permission of parents of a bride and groom. Modern Uzbek people, as a rule, have an option to choose a couple, though the custom to rely on the choice of parents is also preserved, especially in rural areas of Uzbekistan. The ceremony itself is strictly observed today. Sovchi (matchmaker) appoint a day when guests would come in the house of the bride.
- Matchmakers state the purpose of their visit and if parents of the bride agree, they make the ceremony of “Non sindirish” (bread breaking) after which the girl is deemed to be engaged. The wedding day is appointed and relatives of the bride give gifts to the matchmakers for the relatives of the groom.
Nikokh-Tui (Wedding) - Nikokh-Tui, wedding, is the most solemn and large Uzbek ceremony. Traditionally Uzbek people celebrate weddings very richly and cheerfully with peculiar splendor and abundance of guests. Immediate and remote relatives, neighbors, friends and co-workers are invited to this wedding ceremony.
- The festivities begin since the early morning with a festal wedding pilaf prepared in the houses of the groom and bride. Today the morning pilaf is more frequently prepared in cafes or choykhanas: it is more comfortable and less troublesome for the hosts.
- After the morning pilaf the groom with friends and relatives, musicians and dancers come to the house of the bride. The bride in the wedding clothes, today usually in the European white dress, is waiting in the special room, where only mullahs (priests) can come in. They ask her marital consent and then read the prayer – “nikokh”, which effects a marriage.
Khatna-Kilish - Khatna-kilish or Sunnat Tui is an ancient rite of circumcision. Preparations for this rite begin since the birth of a boy: members of the family sew quilts, covers, garments. Before the beginning of the ceremony elder men, imam (priest) and immediate relatives read the Koran and say their blessings and wishes. Then the boy is dressed in new clothes, brought by relatives and neighbors. It is followed by a small ritual “takhurar”, when women put pillows and blankets on the chest. The ceremony is finished with traditional Uzbek dish, pilaf, and dances. It is a custom to give symbolical gifts to the boy: money (wealth), sweets (prosperity), expensive clothes, weapon and etc.
NAVRUZ - For several centuries, the most long-awaited event for the people of Central Asia has been the arrival of spring. This is because in these countries, a revival of nature is celebrated as Navruz holiday. March 21st is a day when the duration of the day and night are equal. Therefore, it means that a new solar cycle began. After all, the very name of the holiday already predetermines its purpose, from Farsi “Navruz” means “a new day”.
- The Uzbek people always treat Navruz in a special way. For them, this is not just a holiday, it is a chance and an opportunity to start everything from scratch, forget all the bad things, forgive all grievances. Preparation for the holiday goes beforehand: people take part in khashar (mass cleaning of the territory), whiten trees, dig up gardens, and unload unnecessary things. The celebration itself lasts up to 20 days.
- There is even such a belief that the more cheerful and joyful Navruz will be, the more nature will give. Therefore, Uzbek people organize folk festivals, dance, perform ritual songs, exchange gifts, and provide assistance to those in need.
If you are making a tour to Uzbekistan in the early spring, you will certainly be at the center of all events. Moreover, it does not matter what kind of tour it is, whether it is an eco-tour along Uzbekistan or a classical tour. Navruz holiday comes to all corners and cities of Uzbekistan. However, the main symbols of Navruz «Sumalak» has been remained for several centuries. Sumalak is an eastern treat, which is cooked on firewood from flour and germinated wheat grains. Sprouted grains are considered a symbol of life, well-being and health. The process of making sumalak has its own peculiarities and clear rules. You can find more information about process of making Sumalak in the article about Sumalak. Thank you for your Attintion!
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