photography
and multimedia journalism association
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"Aksakals"- the elders in Shahrisabz. Elders used to be highly respected group among Central Asian societies.
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Mahallya-it is a peculiar settling of people who are linked by family bonds. It is a collective of people united by the rules and laws, traditions and joint work. It is a complex firm organism, the beginnings of which are folk wisdom, national traditions and practical activity.
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Uzbek Tea ceremony Tea is poured from ceramic pots into small pjala bowls. The precious liquid is poured into the clean pjala of the host and poured back into the chainik (teapot) - this is repeated three times. The fourth time round, a half filled cup is offered in the guest's own pjala, allowing for the tea to cool down rapidly so as to quench one's thirst immediately. A bowl filled to the brim goes against all Standards of hospitality and good form. Tea is served with homemade jam or honey, which acts as a sweetener.
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Imam Al-Buchari complex,near Samarkand.Preparation of traditional dish called Sumalak. Sumalak is widely made during Navrus celebrations.Sumalak, which was a tradition among the ancient Turkish tribes who lived in Central Asia, is a favorite dish of the people of Central Asia during the holiday of Navruz.Generally, Sumalak is cooked by women. They sit around the stove as it cooks, and talk, dance and tell tales while taking turns stirring the pot. The following are several traditions and superstitions concerning Sumalak:Prayers are offered to the seven stones which are placed in the Sumalak, and agitated to keep it from burning.Sumalak is offered to brides who have no children. The bride wears an earring made of wheat grass in order to increase her fertility.During the celebration of the Sumalak, unmarried girls must pray to the seven stars.Old women plant new trees with young women who are not married.The old women put a boy on the bride's knees, in order to increase her fertility.
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Kurash is an ancient type of upright jacket grappling which originated in the territory of modern Uzbekistan. According to the latest scientific research the age of Kurash is at least three and a half thousand years. Kurash is one of the oldest martial arts the people had ever practiced.Kurash is an Uzbek word. It means – "reaching the goal with the just or fair way". Since its birth till recent times Kurash was used as a martial art and the public physical entertainment during major holidays, feasts and wedding parties
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Kupkari (ulak, buzkashi) is a traditional Central Asian team competition played on horseback. In Turkic “kup” means “many” and in Persian “kari” means “work, case”, hence “kupkari” is “the case of many people”. In Uzbekistan the kupkari competition is also called an ulak. In this game skilled equestrians compete to carry a goat or sheep carcass into a goal.Usually Kupkari isheld in spring or autumn, when the Central Asian peoples traditionally celebrate weddings, as well as during the main spring holiday, Navruz. Often Kupkari game involves brave riders from neighboring regions.Equestrians prepare for the kupkari competition in advance and carefully. They choose a strong, short horse of great endurance. The horse should be shortll to make it easier to pick up the carcass of an animal from the ground, because in the heat of battle, it often falls to the ground. For the Kupkari game, riders usually wear head protection, quilted cotton robes and pants to protect themselves against other players' whips. Because getting excited, horsemen can whip each other; it is not prohibited by the rules of the game.Kupkari competitors line up and wait until a village elder or other respected person leaves the animal carcass in the center of the circle and signals the start of the competition. Then the horsemen try to grab the lamb or goat from the ground and reach the finish line without losing their trophy, while fighting off rivals who are trying to take away the animal carcass. According to the Kupkari rules it is prohibited to attack a rival from behind or knock the rider off the horse. The riders keep away from the audience not to strike someone accidentally. The audience is prohibited to help riders, giving them the carcass from the ground. The winner, who carries the trophy into a finish line first, gets a prize. In the old days it was a colorful rug, bulls, sheep and goats, expensive fabrics. Nowadyas, the prize for the Kupkari winner may be, for example, expensive appliances or a car.
Every year during the spring equinox, people from all across the lands of the ancient Persian Empire celebrate Navrus Bayrami. It is one of the oldest festivals in history. The word...
Navrus in Uzbekistan
Every year during the spring equinox, people from all across the lands of the ancient Persian Empire celebrate Navrus Bayrami. It is one of the oldest festivals in history. The word "Navrus" originates in a Farsi word meaning "New Day". Navrus is recognized as an Iraninan New Year and usually celebrated on March 21. In Uzbekistan, most known activities during the holiday include preparations of a sacred meal, Sumalak, an ancient horseback game called Kupkari and traditional wrestling called Kurash.
Maciej Moskwa
