Culture

Uzbekistan is also famous for its tchoykhonas (teahouses), where men get together to talk and laugh, and sometimes play games, over a bowl of tea. The best place for tchoykhona is somewhere in the shade of the trees, near the water, this gives the feeling of serenity and quiet. Traditionally women take care of the house and do the cooking. Uzbek men are also good cooks in general and the tchoykhona is a place where they enjoy cooking together and preparing plov (a traditional dish of rice with meat and vegetables) or Kazan-kebab (fried meat with potatoes).

The origins of Uzbek decorative and applied arts find their roots far back in history. Several archaeological finds in rural areas have brought to light certain aspects of these areas and their ancient cultures. There is a wide diversity of Uzbek folklore, in style, materials used and decoration.
The ceramics, silk and cotton materials, woodwork, stone carving , metal engraving, fine leather goods, calligraphy and precious miniature paintings, are vehicles of the past to show the different ethnical, cultural and religious traditions. Each displays unique qualities, each presents its own master craftsmen.

The traditional clothes of Uzbeks stand out for the diversity, it depends both on a season and on the region of residence. Uzbeks along with clothes of the European style wear national garments, especially on special occasions. Men have striped silk oriental robe of bright colors girded by a beautiful scarf (belt) and a skullcap on the head.
Women wear silk dresses of bright colors (atlas), wide and long, with yoke, on the head they have a colored or white shawl, or embroidered skullcap.

When if not during the national holidays the whole culture of the nation is revealed? The brightest and joyful holiday of the Uzbek people is Navruz, the spring festival. It is celebrated on March 21, at the time of the vernal equinox. During many centuries of its celebration there is belief that nature will be more generously with people when the holiday will be brightly and happily celebrated. Therefore, on this day people sing ritual songs of Navruz, dancing and having fun, enjoy the coming of spring.
The main holiday custom is "sumalak" - a New Year’s dish cooked in wood-fire and made of flour and germinated wheat grains, sometimes with spices. Sprouted grains are a symbol of life, warmth, abundance and health.
It is considered that Sumalak needs to be cooked slowly during 24 hours, and it should be accompanied with songs and humorous, fun melodies, and telling funny stories and various legends. It is needed to throw a few pebbles and walnuts into the cauldron due to avoid Sumalak burning. When legendary dish is ready it’s became sweet, although there is no a single gram of sugar put on it. And those who find a nut or a pebble in their dish believe that their sincere desires will come true.
Also, the celebration of Navruz includes street festivities, dog and cock fights, national wrestling “Kurash” and horse racing called “Buzkashi”.

Kurash is very ancient type of martial arts. The word "kurash" is translated from Uzbek as "achievement of the purpose by fair means". For a long time, kurash was not only a wrestling, but also public entertainment on traditional holidays and weddings. It was mentioned in many historical sources. The great scientist of the East, Avicenna, believed that Kurash is one of the best ways to keep body and spirit healthy.

Buzkashi ("goat game") is a collective equestrian sport. The word buzkashi is originated from two persian words boz (goat) and kashi ( dragging). A headless carcass of a goat, a calf or a sheep is placed in the center of a circle and surrounded by the members of two teams playing horseback. The object of the game is to pick up the carcass and bring it across a goal line or into the winner's circle. On a signal, all the horsemen race to grab the carcass and gallop away with it. The team or rider who carries the carcass across the goal line wins. Horses used in this game are specially trained and they are very expensive.

Sharq taronalari – is a musical dialogue of Uzbekistan with the world. The International Music Festival biennially brings together a big number of people from all over the world on the main square of Samarkand – Registan Square.
Here, among the majestic monuments of the oriental medieval architecture, visitors enjoy the wonderful performances of all participants that come from far away to participate in this grandiose show. The main goal of the festival is the preservation of the best achievements of traditional music and further expanding of the international creative communications.