Traditions and customs of Uzbekistan

The main feature of the Uzbek family is traditionally reverential respect for elders. Uzbeks usually lives in large families consisting of several generations, therefore, preference is given to a large houses on the land. Significant place in family life as element of the hospitality is tea ceremony. Moreover, tea making and pouring it to the guests is exclusive prerogative of the host. It is common to receive invitations to a lunch or dinner and be on time. When planning a visit it is advisable to take souvenirs or sweets for children of the owner of the house. Hand shaking is usually only for the menfolk

Rites Rites of Uzbek people have formed over the centuries as the result of a complex of merging cultural habits and traditions of all tribes and nations that participated in the in the ontogenesis of the Uzbeks. They are quite original, bright and varied, and go back to the tribal patriarch relations. A large number of ceremonies follows the family life and associated with the birth and upbringing of the child, weddings, and funerals.

Beshik-Tuy Beshik-Tuyi (wooden cradle) a ritual celebration related to the first putting the baby in the cradle. This is one of the most ancient and widespread traditional ceremony in Uzbekistan. Typically such event is held on 7th, 9th and 11th day of the birth of the baby. In various regions ritual has its own differences and depends on the family’s income: the rich families usually celebrate this event extensively, and families with low income celebrate it modestly.

Khanta-kilish Khanta kilish - is another ancient Uzbek ceremony, blessed by Islam (Sunnat Tuyi). This ceremony is held with boys at 3, 5, 7, 9 years old, in rare cases in 11-12 years. Carrying sunnat is controlled by the public. Since the birth of the boy, parents start preparations for the Sunnat Tuyi, gradually acquiring all necessary things. A few months before ceremony which is also called ‘wedding’ begin immediate preparations for it

Fatiha-tui (engagement) The wedding takes place with the permission and blessing of parents and carried out in several stages. When son becomes an adult, parents start looking for suitable girl for him. In this process involved close relatives, neighbors, and friends. When they have found the girl, maternal aunt or father come to the girl’s house under any pretext, to look at her, to met her parents, and take a look on a home décor of potential bride. After that family and friends make inquiries about family of the chosen girl. In case of positive feedback the matchmakers are sent off. 

Wedding Wedding ceremony traditionally plays essential role Uzbeks life, and celebrates as an important event.  In the presence of common features this ceremony has its own characteristics different areas. The highlight of weeding cycle is the transition of the bride from her parents' house to the groom’s house.  On the day of the wedding in the house of the bride arranged wedding pilaf, which is prepared in the house of the groom and then sent to the bride. The same palov ceremony serving in the house of the groom.

Navruz Ancient popular holiday Nowruz ("Nowruz bayrami"), celebrated on March 21, the day of vernal equinox. It is a celebration of nature awakening and beginning of planting, preserved in its rituals features of Zoroastrianism. In the agricultural oasis of ancient Uzbekistan were held every spring the big festivals, holiday bazaars. According to tradition, even today people bake "baursak" and prepare the ritual meal - sumalyak.

Clothes The originality of clothing of indigenous peoples has always been determined by climatic, living conditions and tribal traditions. Back in the 19th century clothing (gowns, dresses, shirts) continued to keep the archaic features: a wide, long, it freely flows down, hiding the shape of the human body.

Headdress (skullcap) One of the most popular and widespread forms of applied art of Uzbekistan has always been a skullcap - hard or soft cap with lining. Skullcap is an integral part of Uzbek national costume, came into the life and traditions of Uzbek people. Skullcap (from the Turkic "Tube"- top) is the national headdress not only Uzbeks, but also other Central Asian nations. Skullcaps are classified by types: men's, women's, children's, for old people.