Uzbekistan with its numerous ancient monuments, rich nature, and the present-day rapid progress attracts the whole world's attention. For centuries the country was at the intersection of the Great Silk Road routes along which merchants, geographers, missionaries, and later tourists traveled. It is striking how the history, traditions and cultures of the nationalities populating the present-day Uzbekistan have been entangled with the history of Great Silk Road.
Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and
Shakhrizabs, where cultural and spiritual values had been long since
concentrated, outstanding scientific centers and schools were
established, architecture, craftsmanship, and applied art were
flourishing, played the role of main urban centres. Creative work and
various scientific achievements of the local scientists, thinkers, and
poets have proved to be a valuable contribution to the development of
the world civilization. Abu Ali ibn Sino, al-Khorezmiy, Mirzo Ulugbek,
Bakhouddin Nakshband, al-Bukhoriy, at-Termeziy, Abu Raikhon Beruniy,
Alisher Navoiy - this is but a short list of names of prominent figures
of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan, where monuments of
ancient cultures of different ages are concentrated, is rightly called
a treasury of history. Ichan-Kala complex in Khiva, historical centers
of Bukhara, Shakhrizabs and Samarkand are included in the UNESCO World
Heritage list. Many unique monuments and architectural constructions in
these towns have remained in a good state up to the present day and are
of a great significance to the mankind.
The monuments of Samarkand are
majestic and wonderful. In this town one can feel the breath of history
itself. It can be traced in the ancient ruins as well as in the
medrassahs, mausoleums, and minarets, which have been decorating the
city until now. In 1370 Amir Timur (Tamerlan) designated Samarkand as
the capital of his great state that spread from Mongolia and Siberia to
Syria and India. From his campaigns he brought many skillful architects
and craftsmen whose works of art have outlasted the ages. The legendary
Samarkand square of Registan has up to now been considered to be one of
the main architectural sights of Central Asia.
Since old times Bukhara was the
center of a densely populated oasis. Archeologists noted that the city
was constantly growing, both in width and in height. Ruins of
dwellings, public buildings, defense structures dating back to
different periods of the city's history were found in the earth stratum
at the depth of 20 meters. There are more than 140 monuments of ancient
architecture in Bukhara altogether. Minaret Kalyan, the striking symbol
of the city, towers over it. Everyone who has seen "Great Minaret"
built in 1127 will long keep in memory the impression of its greatness
and original beauty.
Having once visited Bukhara, you will
long stay under impression both of Ark fortress and many other
monuments of antiquity, which surround you almost everywhere.
Craftsmen-chasers will reproduce ancient patterns on copper and silver
right before your eyes, jewellers will make replicas of unique
adornments, which the beauties used to wear thousands of years ago.
Involuntarily you ask yourself: how many centuries has this town
numbered? How many pieces of the past material cultures are buried in
it?
Khiva is the only town of the period of
the Great Silk Road, which has remained fully undamaged till now. Time
seems to go centuries back here. That is why the town has rightly
gained fame of "the museum in the open". In Khiva with its narrow
alleys where legends of old times seem to have been reflected in stone
and wood, you can easily imagine the life of former generations which
will not repeat itself but has left us old traditions, legends, and
precepts.
Most of architectural monuments of
Ichan-Kala complex in Khiva date back to the late 18th - first half of
the 19th centuries. But the excavations on its territory revealed much
more ancient layers dating back to the 3rd and even earlier centuries
B.C. Ichan-Kala is surrounded by a thick wall which is 2100 meters long
and has several gates. The silhouette of the huge Islam-Khodzha minaret
stands out over the town.
Shakhrizyabs is the birthplace of
Amir Temur where everything, one way or another, is connected with his
name. Having established the Movarrounnakhr empire, having become an
absolute ruler - emir, Timur designatied Samarkand as his capital. But
he always remembered and took care of his hometown. In fact,
Shakhrizabs was the second capital of the empire. Many beautiful
constructions appeared here in the times the Timurids. Best architects,
construction workers, masters of architectural decoration were sent
here by the emir's orders. Alongside with the local masters they built
majestic constructions thus realizing the experience and traditions of
different countries.
Ancient monuments on the territory of the
present-day Uzbeksitan are put on the list of the values of the world
civilization. These monuments situated along the Great Silk Road
traditionally attract attention of the general public: both specialists
who study the Orient and international relations of the ancient world
and ordinary people who seek after knowledge of the unknown world.
Tashkent, the capital of the present-day
Uzbekistan, is one of the biggest cities of Central Asia and is called
"Star of the Orient" and "Messenger of Peace". These names amazingly
reflect the very essence of the city, which for more than 20 centuries
has been symbolically illuminating with the light of peace and kindness
the lives of both its inhabitants and the road for travelers.
Tashkent is rich in archeological
monuments. None of Central Asian towns has been studied so thoroughly
by scientists as the capital of Uzbekistan. Only ten years ago there
were 39 known archeological monuments on the territory of the city,
whereas today there have been excavated more than 240 monuments. In the
past Tashkent had different names: Yuni, Chach, Shash, Binkent. Its
present name was first introduced in the 11th century works by Beruniy
and Makhmud Kashgariy.
The architectural look of old
Tashkent has been developing for centuries, both under the influence of
many-sided Oriental culture and due to natural factors. The urge for
the ways to protection from hot climate and earthquakes gave rise to
peculiar know-hows in construction. There appeared interesting types of
dwellings with covered yards, sliding shutters "keshgarcha".
Residential areas with a maze of narrow alleys formed the environment
for standing out mosques, madrassahs, and mazars (cemeteries).
Today Tashkent is a large industrial
center with about 300 companies producing almost everything which
contemporary person needs: from aircraft and tractors to TV sets and
toys for children. Here the images of old times join the modern
skyscrapers made of glass and metal, multilevel overbridges, parks,
museums, fountains. Tashkent is rapidly becoming a modern developed
international megapolis.
Many-sidedness of the history of
Uzbekistan is brightly reflected in its geographical location. Termez,
located in the very south of the country can serve a good example of
this. It came into being at the end of 19th century and had the
appearance of a typical semi- Asian semi-European town. It was a
one-storied town, with public buildings made of baked bricks and
dwellings made of adobe, with flat roofs in Oriental style and windows
facing the street in Western mode, in greenery of gardens, with
customary acacias, elms and planes along the pavements. Today Termez is
a modern town, the center of Surkhandarya Viloyat (Province).
Many years of scientific study have
revealed that this peaceful and quiet town has a long and eventful
history. It was in Surkhandarya region that the most famous Central
Asian sites of primitive man were found. The territory of Surkhandarya
region was a part of many states: the empire of Alexander the Great,
Bactria, the empire of Chenghiz-Khan and Amir Temur, sharing with each
its fate. Archeologists use to find the unique traces of their might
and power. Founded on the right bank of the Jeyhun River (the Amudrya
River) at a convenient crossing place, at a crossroads of caravan
routes of the Great Silk Road, 5 km north-west from the present-day
Termez, Old Termez had in centuries time become one of the leading
towns. Later it was destroyed by hostile raids and internal wars.
The name "Pearl of Central Asia" has
been positively attributed to rich and picturesque Fergana Valley,
which always played a significant role in the history and culture of
Central Asia. Fergana Valley is truly a unique part of the Orient. In
ancient times the valley was the center of various civilizations, which
is proved by evidence of antic settlements and monuments of the Middle
Ages.
Today Fergana Valley is the most
flourishing region of the country. The astonishing nature enchants with
a variety of colors. The Sirdarya River, formed by the Karadarya and
the Naryn River, flows along the northern border of the valley. These
rivers feed main canals: the Big Canal, the Northern Canal and Southern
Canal, which appeared on the map of the region as a result of national
construction projects of the 20th century.
Fergana Valley, the big and flourishing
oasis with the most fertile land in Central Asia, where the towns of
Fergana, Kokand, Andizhan, Namangan are situated, is rightly called
"Golden Valley".
Uzbekistan comprises an autonomous
republic Karakalpakstan most part of which is the territory of the
Kizyl-Kum desert, plateau Usturt, the delta of the Amudarya River and
the southern part of the Aral Sea. The most ancient settlements here
date back to the Stone Age.
The Karakalpaks belong to the Central
Asian ethnic groups with bold Mongoloid features. Earlier they led
semi-nomadic life, practiced agriculture, cattle breeding and fishing.
For the most part they lived in yurtas (nomadic temporary houses). In
spite of the fact that today the native customs are being kept only by
the old generation, the signs of ancient traditions can be traced in
the house interiors, clothing, food, peculiar applied art.
Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, is
a beautiful modern town, the center of economic and cultural life of
the republic. Everyone who is visiting Nukus should certainly see
Karakalpakistan State Museum of Art named after its founder, the famous
artist Igor Savitskiy. The museum displays not only works of painters
but also a wide variety of local artifacts found in the region, which
attest to continuity of cultures.
Karakalpakistan truly proves to be a
vivid example of times correlation. Beautiful and tempting, promising
surprising meetings and discoveries, it is ready to impart its
mysteries and share its legends.
Uzbeksitan today is the country where
thousands-old antiquity exists in harmony with modern civilization.
Harmonious correlation of times is seen everywhere. Ancient monuments,
Old Town houses made of adobe bricks stand next to many-storied sky
scraping buildings constructed in accordance with the unique designs
worked out by architects of the 20th century. The traditions of the
people are being carefully preserved.
Arts and crafts have been developing here
throughout the centuries; their secrets have been passed from
generation to generation as great treasure. The unique works of unknown
masters strike you dumb by the flight of fancy. In the present-day
Uzbekistan traditional cultural values are being treated with great
care, the state supports revival of the arts and crafts, contributing
to their further development. Uzbek ceramics, embossing, wood carving,
golden embroidery, carpets, varnished miniature, jewelry are well known
far outside our country.
Non-material heritage is not less
unique and has been acknowledged by UNESCO. For example, the folklore
singing of Baysun district, Surkhandarya Province, Uzbekistan, is
included as a cultural object in UNESCO list to be protected by the
international community. Melodiousness and oriental rhythms of ritual
songs and musical compositions sung and played in other regions of the
country are amazing too.
The institution of family remains
firm in Uzbekistan. It is considered one of the most important values
of life. Uzbekistan is notable for the world's lowest divorce rate. As
a rule, Uzbek families have many children, especially in the rural
areas, where women are mostly housewives. They combine housework with
arts and crafts such as hand-spinning, embroidery, carpet weaving.
Their works are common in any local house, which Uzbek women usually
decorate with great love. The settled way of life made people look
after their houses very carefully. Inner yards and even the streets
next to houses are kept very clean.
Nowadays, along with the clothing of
European style the Uzbeks wear national clothing, especially on
holidays. Men usually wear striped quilted robe, belted with a
beautiful sash, and a skullcap to cover their heads. Women wear loose
bright dresses made of traditional fabrics: khan-atlas, bekasam, kalami.
The dishes of National Uzbek cuisine are
notable not only for their practicability but for certain skills
required for their cooking. Unique Uzbek pilaf, aromatic transparent
shurpa (soup), juicy manti made of dough bags and meat, shashlyk with
its smack of smoke and spices are famous all over the world. It would
be unthinkable to have a dastarkhan (table-cloth) without greens,
vegetables, fruit, sun-fed melons and bunches of grapes. Melting on the
tongue sweets, nuts and almonds cooked by grandmother's recipes
complement the dastarkhan. Green tea is a favorite drink of the Uzbeks.
It quenches thirst on a sultry day.
Uzbekistan is truly an amazing land
with original national culture where the heritage of ancient times is
being carefully preserved and a society with modern economy and
developed science and art is being simultaneously built.
In the present-day Uzbekistan a lot is
being done so as to restore the unique monuments - witnesses of the
country's past; owing to these programmes of restoration and
preservation work many of these monuments have been given second birth.
There are many ceremonies which comprise the marriage process.
After the wedding is legally announced, dishes of dates and misri (unrefined sugar) are served to the groom's family. Groom is then escorted to his bride where he’s allowed to site beside his wife. This is the time when sisters-in-law of groom play pranks and tease the groom.
consuming.
customs of Egyptians make it easy for a couple to get to know one another, for the families meet often.
During the betrothal, the pre-wedding meeting between the bride and the groom's parents, the dowry that will be given to the bride is determined as well as the date of the solemnization.
Morocco, one of the gems of the North Africa, is the country with very rich and active traditions. Like other cultures of the world, a Moroccan wedding is a great gala event. It’s celebrated with great fun and festivity.
visit the mosque so as to begin the engagement.
Muslim marriage ceremonies in Ethiopia are centered on a display of generosity. Usually after the declaration of engagement, the groom sends a milking cow to the bride's house. The mother collects the milk to make some butter that will be presented to the groom on the wedding night.
initial approval between the bride and the groom, the engagement is declared in the presence of the tribal leaders and the Sheikhs. The mother of the bride hands the groom buttermilk to drink. This is a sign of her approval and satisfaction with the future husband of her daughter. During the engagement period, the groom comes under the service of the bride's father. He helps him in any type of work that he made need or want to be assisted in.
