Uzbekistan is one of the newly independent republics after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, located in Central Asia. We want to get familiar with the culture of this country, so join us at Saad News.
One of the important aspects of traveling to other countries is getting acquainted with the customs, traditions, and culture of the people of that land. Uzbekistan has a population of over 35 million people and holds the highest population among the Central Asian countries. Uzbekistan is considered a young country, and most of its people reside in villages. Agriculture and the production of crops and livestock are among their economic resources. The climate of Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, is hot and dry. The summers in this land are extremely hot and dry. Winters can sometimes bring severe cold, while spring and autumn are very mild, making these the best seasons to travel to Uzbekistan.
Culture of the People of Uzbekistan One of the most authentic cultures of the East is the native culture of Uzbekistan, which includes music, dance, painting, traditional foods, clothing, and souvenirs. A prominent characteristic of the Uzbek people, which is deeply related to the local culture, is their hospitality, which has been ongoing since ancient times. Uzbeks invite their guests to their homes and then treat them with kindness. Uzbeks are very similar to Iranians when it comes to offering hospitality, doing everything they can to ensure their guests have a pleasant time. When inviting guests to their homes, Uzbeks make special arrangements and offer a variety of foods at the table.
Religion of the People of Uzbekistan Religion and faith are other significant factors that influence the native culture of Uzbekistan. Most people in Uzbekistan are Muslim, and the majority follow Sunni Islam and adhere to the Hanafi school of thought. Historical studies indicate that Muslims first entered the region in the middle of the first century AH. From the mid-10th century to the late 16th century, Islam became the dominant religion in the region. The cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, which are in Uzbekistan, became cultural centers of the Islamic world from the 3rd century AH. Today, Bukhara is known as Bukhara Sharif, as many Islamic scholars have lived there.
Language of the People of Uzbekistan Uzbeks speak Uzbek, a language from the Eastern Turkish group. This language consists of two main dialects: one from eastern Uzbekistan and the other from the northwest and southern regions. The vocabulary of Uzbek is Turkish, but over time, many words from Persian and Arabic have been incorporated. Before independence, Russian was the official language, and Uzbek was used alongside it. After gaining independence, Uzbek became the official language, and Russian was introduced as a secondary language. Currently, the official script of Uzbekistan is Cyrillic, but as of September 20, 1993, the Uzbek government decided to switch to the Latin alphabet, which has been in use since the year 2000. The use of Uzbek became mandatory in all official communications starting in 1997, meaning that people who were not familiar with Uzbek could not hold government positions.
Traditional Uzbek Clothing The characteristics of traditional Uzbek clothing were historically determined by climate, livelihood, and tribal customs. Up until the 19th century, the clothing of the Uzbek people maintained its ancient features: wide, long, with side slits and loose-fitting to cover the body. Winter and summer clothes, for both men, women, and children, did not differ much in shape or cut. The traditional male attire consisted of a warm, woven robe, a hat, and boots made of thin leather. The robes could be either light or heavy, made of cotton, and were designed with slits at the sides for comfort.
Women’s traditional clothing included robes made from silk and wide pants that became narrower at the bottom. The women’s hats consisted of three parts: a hat, a scarf, and a turban. These festive dresses were made from high-quality, expensive fabric and were often beautifully embroidered.
Children's clothing mirrored adult designs, differing only in size. Clothing in different regions or tribes varied in terms of the fabric, stitching, and patterns used. A notable item of clothing is the topi, a hard or soft cap that is a part of the traditional Uzbek dress. It is made from multiple layers of fabric and often embroidered with golden or silver thread.
Uzbek Cuisine Uzbek cuisine is another key aspect of the country’s culture and has a rich variety of dishes. Some of the cooking methods are unchanged since thousands of years ago. One of the most famous dishes is Osh (pilaf), which is often served at weddings, gatherings, and birthdays. The main ingredients of Osh include rice, meat, carrots, and onions. Other well-known dishes include Shashlik (grilled meat skewers) and Samsa (savory pastries). Bread holds a sacred place in Uzbek culture; it is believed that when someone is about to embark on a long journey, they should take a bite of bread and keep the rest until their return. It is still common for Uzbeks to carry bread in a basket on their heads, considering it a sign of respect.
In addition to Osh, soups such as Mastova and Shurva are popular, and there are about 50 different kinds of Halva made with wheat flour, sugar, and walnuts. Drinks and dried fruits from Uzbekistan are also considered to have delightful flavors.
Ramadan in Uzbekistan Despite over 70 years of communist rule under the former Soviet Union, most Uzbeks still maintain their Islamic faith, adhering to Quranic traditions and religious practices. Every year, during Ramadan, Uzbeks hold special ceremonies in mosques, and "Ramadan chanting" is a long-standing tradition. Children and teenagers go to their neighbors' homes, singing special prayers for good health and asking for alms to help the poor and the needy.
Nowruz in Uzbekistan Like other Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan celebrates Nowruz on March 21st with great joy. People dress in traditional clothes and visit the elderly, exchanging well-wishes. The entire country, especially the capital, Tashkent, gets adorned with colorful flags, street cleaning, and celebratory decorations. Nowruz is so significant that the government has declared it an official holiday.
Conclusion Uzbekistan is a multi-ethnic country with over 100 different ethnic groups, but Uzbeks make up the majority of the population.
