Traditions and customs of the Uzbek people have been formed for centuries, carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation. The customs and traditions of Uzbeks are closely connected with family celebrations, such as: engagement, wedding, birth of a child etc.
Hospitality
The most widespread and most revered tradition and custom of the Central Asian people, including the Uzbeks, is hospitality. After all, everyone knows the catch-phrase “According to the laws of oriental hospitality”.
The ability to receive a guest is valued above the wealth of the table itself and the prosperity of the family. Not to receive a guest, not to invite him to the table was considered disrespectful and a disgrace for the whole family. In the modern world, this tradition has been transformed into a good habit.
There are unwritten rules of hospitality:
- you need to greet men with a handshake, and it is customary to greet women with a slight bow, pressing the right hand to your heart, and it is necessary to inquire about the affairs and health of the guests.
- It is not accepted to go to visit empty-handed. Guests usually bring sweets and small gifts with them.
- When the host invites guests into the house, they take off their shoes at the threshold and the oldest and most respected of the guests enters at the beginning.
- Guests usually sit in the most honorable place, as further your place is from the entrance, the more respect you are awarded.
- Men and women usually sit in different rooms. But today this is a rare phenomenon. It all depends on the family and the settlement and how much they honor this tradition.
Beshik-tui
In Uzbek families, the birth of a child was always awaited with excitement. The family strictly followed all rituals and ceremonies. After the birth of a child, usually at 7th, 9th, 11th or 40th day from the birth of the baby, Uzbeks celebrate “Beshik-tui” (wooden cradle) – the first laying of the baby in the beshik.
On this day, all the guests gather in the house. Relatives from the mother’s side of the child bring a cradle (beshik) as a gift, as well as many sweets, traditional Uzbek flat breads and toys for the newborn, wrapped in a tablecloth (dastarhan).
To the sounds of karnay, surnay and tambourine older women begin the ceremony of the first swaddling of a baby in its own bed (beshik).
After the ceremony baby-shower is arranged for all guests who came to see the baby for the first time and give different gifts to the baby.
Fatiha-tui
Fatiha-tui (matchmaking or engagement) – This means that parents choose a bride for their son.
Nowadays, young people choose their own life partner, but this tradition still remains, especially in villages and the rite is strictly observed.
On the appointed day, the matchmakers go to the bride’s house, where they state the purpose of their visit, after which the rite of “non sindirish” (breaking a bread) is performed, after which the girl is considered engaged.
The engagement is held with the blessing of the parents of the bride and groom, after which the groom’s parents give gifts to new relatives.
After Fatiha-tui, preparations for the wedding begin, another interesting tradition and custom of the Uzbeks.
Nikoh-tui
Uzbek wedding is called “Nikoh-tui” and is a very bright and important event in their life.
The wedding begins with a morning pilaf, which is prepared in the groom’s house. Pilaf is served to the groom’s relatives, and part of it will be sent to the bride’s house as a sign of gratitude and congratulations. Young people wear “sarpo”– national wedding clothes.
Marriage registration is carried out in two forms: the first “Khutbai nikoh” is when the imam conducts the marriage ceremony before God, and the second is the official registration of marriage in the registry office.
After “Khutbai nikoh” the bride leaves her parents and family home and goes to the groom’s house accompanied by friends.
The fun begins at the groom’s house, where guests are invited.
At the end of the wedding, another ceremony is held – the bride’s ransom. The bride’s friend “yanga” – helps the bride to change clothes in the groom and bride’s room, where the bride hides behind a curtain (gushanga). The groom, accompanied by friends, enters the room and buys the bride from “yanga”. After that they can stay along.
In the early morning of the next day, the bride has to go through another ceremony “kelin salom” (bride’s greeting). A young wife should greet the groom’s parents, relatives and all the assembled guests by bowing low at the waist and they in their turn should give presents and congratulate her.
