Why are there many children in Uzbek families. Uzbek traditions and features of mentality. average life expectancy

TASHKENT, June 1 - Sputnik. Experts from the Izhtimoiy Fikr Public Opinion Research Center learned what citizens of Uzbekistan think about the concepts of "reproductive health" and "reproductive right", how they relate to family planning and how many children they want to have.

Children traditionally remain the highest value of the family. This point of view is supported by 77.8 percent of Uzbeks. Quantity large families generally decreases, but every seventh family has four children, every tenth has five or more. In total for last year 726.8 thousand children were born in the republic.

Nevertheless, among young people under 30, the most popular opinion is that it is best to have two children. People over 30 believe that there should be three children.

24.3 percent of city dwellers would like to have two children, 32.2 percent - three, 31 percent - four. Among rural residents, these figures are 23.5 percent, 37.8 percent and 23.3 percent, respectively, writes Nuz.uz.

Opinions about the age at which a woman should give birth to her first child fluctuate. A small part of the respondents speaks for 18-19 years, however, in general, Uzbeks are in favor of more late dates. 25 percent each prefer 20-25 and 23-25 ​​years. Nearly a third of citizens believe ideal age 22 years old. Statistics show that the age of women giving birth for the first time in Uzbekistan is steadily increasing.

The question of the need to observe an interval of at least three years between births led to interesting results. In general, this point of view is supported by half of the citizens of the country. However, opinions of residents of different regions differ greatly. Preservation of women's reproductive health is taken care of in Andijan region (72.3 percent of respondents), in Bukhara (71.2 percent) and Samarkand (66.9 percent).

But in the Kashkadarya region, only 39.2 percent of the population understands the need for an interval between births. This figure is even lower in the capital: only 36 percent of Tashkent residents answered positively to the question.

Sociologists also found out how many Uzbeks are familiar with the term "reproductive health" - complete physical, mental and social well-being, characterizing the ability of people to give birth to healthy children, guaranteeing the safety of pregnancy, childbirth, survival and health of the child, mother's well-being, the possibility of planning future pregnancies, in including junk warning.

As it turned out, this concept is known to 36.5 percent of respondents, which is significantly less than last year. The figure is especially low among 18-19-year-olds.

The awareness of the population about reproductive rights was also studied - the right of men and women to receive information and access to safe, effective, inexpensive methods of birth control, in accordance with their choice, the right to access appropriate health services that can provide women safe pregnancy and childbirth, as well as create for couples best opportunity to have a healthy baby. Mainly, it is the right to decide whether or not to have a child.

51.6 percent of respondents characterized reproductive right as the right to plan the birth of children, more than a third named the right to receive proper medical care and plan to have children. Sociologists have noted that the number of people who approve of protection from unwanted pregnancy, continues to grow. At the same time, 48.7 percent are against artificial termination of pregnancy.

According to the results of the survey, Izhtimoiy Fikr specialists recommended improving the quality of legal and medical education of citizens, especially among young people.

Subscribe to the Sputnik Uzbekistan channel to keep abreast of the latest events taking place in the country and the world.

It all starts with a hello.
Since ancient times, the peoples of Central Asia have developed a tradition - when meeting, Muslims must necessarily greet each other, even if they are not friends and even if there are hostile relations between them. Responding to every greeting was considered a sign good manners.
And who should greet whom first? It turns out that people on horseback were supposed to greet those on foot, people occupying a higher position on the social ladder were supposed to be the first to greet people standing lower, gentlemen were supposed to greet their servants, and younger ones were supposed to greet elders. Well, if at the same time several people expressed a desire to greet one person, then this person had to respond to their greetings so that it was clearly visible that his greeting applies to everyone at once.
Who should not be greeted and under what circumstances? According to the instructions, one should not greet, for example, in cases where someone was busy praying or reading the Koran, if a person was busy eating or was in a latrine, etc. And it was strictly forbidden to answer greetings and even more so to let go of greetings to ill-mannered, dishonorable and cruel people.

Famous Uzbek hospitality
Eastern hospitality is not just a custom, it is a moral law that has come to us from time immemorial.
"Hospitality is higher than courage" - so the old proverb said. And these are not empty words. To refuse to receive a guest, not to put him at the table, not to treat him or to accept him badly - such non-hospitality was a grave shame not only for the family, but for the whole family. Hospitality could not be denied even to the enemy.
The laws of hospitality have survived to this day, turning into a good tradition. Uzbek families are, as a rule, large families consisting of several generations. Respect and reverence for elders is another main tradition Uzbek people.
If you have never been a guest in a traditional Uzbek family, then it is advisable for you to familiarize yourself with some rules of conduct.
So, you have been invited. It would be impolite to refuse an invitation or to arrive late. Once on the doorstep of the house, you need to say hello to the owners and other guests. You can only shake hands with men, it is better to do it with both hands or with your right hand, without squeezing your palm. During the handshake, it would be appropriate, according to tradition, to take an interest in health, to ask how things are at home and at work. But it will be appropriate to shake hands with a woman only if she is the first to extend her hand to you. It is customary to greet women and other guests who are sitting away from you by placing your hand over your heart, slightly tilting your head. And you can’t openly admire female beauty and show her all sorts of signs of attention.
It is not customary to visit an Uzbek family empty-handed. Traditionally, guests bring sweets and souvenirs to the house. It is customary to take off your shoes when entering a house. There is such ancient custom, according to which women should not sit at the same table with men, so as not to interfere with their conversation. But in our time, this custom has been preserved mainly in rural areas.
So, you are already visiting. The head of the family himself will escort you to the place allotted to you among other guests. The host assigns places at the table to the most respected guests at a distance from the entrance. When all the guests are assembled, the oldest person at the table reads a short prayer with Best wishes hospitality owners. Then, according to tradition, the host invites guests to drink a bowl of tea. And only after all the necessary ceremonies are observed, guests can start the meal.
Now a little about how to behave at the table. If during a meal you need to take an object with your hand, pass something to a guest sitting next to you, use only your right hand for these purposes. But you should not point with the index finger of your right hand at objects or people.

tea drinking
Traditionally, any meal in an Uzbek family begins and ends with tea. The tea ceremony occupies a special place in the life of the people of Uzbekistan. First of all, the owner or hostess of the house should brew tea and treat guests at the table with this amazing drink. Various sweets and fruits are served on the table, and tea is brewed in small teapots and poured into small bowls. Before serving tea to guests, the host or hostess pours tea into the bowl three times and pours it back into the teapot. This ancient custom was not invented by chance - in this way tea is quickly brewed, the tea leaves poured into bowls will be the same. And do not be surprised if the owner pours you an incomplete bowl. This is a traditional element of hospitality. The more honorable the guest, the less tea is poured into his bowl.
How is this strange custom explained? Everything is very simple - the guest, having drunk tea from his half-empty bowl, again and again turns to the owners of the house for more, and it is precisely such repeated appeals with an empty bowl to the owners that are considered as a tribute to the hospitable family. In addition, if the bowl is not more than half full of tea, it is convenient to hold it in your hand, the guest does not risk burning his fingers with hot tea, and the hosts are happy to demonstrate their hospitality by their readiness to take care of the guest once again.
Are there cases when a guest is poured a bowl of tea full to the brim? In the old days, it was customary to do this in those exceptional cases when an unwanted guest came to the house. The owner served him a bowl filled to the brim with hot tea, in such a diplomatic way letting the guest know that he is persona non grata and they do not want to communicate with him. The guest, understanding the host's hint, drank tea and left. But this custom remained far in the past, today it is no longer observed.
The traditional tea-drinking place in Uzbekistan is a chaikhona (tea house). It is customary to choose a place for teahouses closer to the water, under the crowns of sprawling shady trees. The traditional interior of the tea house consists of low sofas covered with carpets and similarly low tables. The main place of the interior is given to the hearth, over which water is boiled and food is cooked. Near the hearth are teapots. The atmosphere of the tea house is cozy and original. Social life is in full swing here, teahouse visitors not only drink tea, eat and rest, but also share among themselves breaking news, discuss urgent life problems conduct philosophical discussions.

Uzbek holidays
The Uzbek people love and know how to celebrate. wedding, anniversary, National holidays- any celebratory event in Uzbekistan it is fun, hospitable with a large number of guests with an abundance of the most delicious national dishes to the sounds of national instruments and traditionally with incendiary dances.
Main Public Holiday- Independence Day, which is solemnly celebrated on September 1. Two more significant holidays- this is the Constitution Day, it is celebrated on December 8, and the Day of Remembrance and Honor, which, like in many other countries, is celebrated on May 9. One of the most significant Muslim holidays are Ramadan-Khiyit and Kurban-Khiyit. The holiday of Ramadan Khayit is a wonderful holiday of spiritual and moral purification. According to Islamic laws, this holiday begins on the 9th month of the Muslim year of the Hijra after the end of the 30-day fast. Kurban Hayit is one of the most important Muslim holidays. On this day, believers perform the prescribed rituals, and then receive guests or go to visit themselves, do charity work.

Asalom, Nowruz or Happy New Year!
The word "Navruz" is translated as "new day". The holiday is celebrated on March 21st. It is at this spring time of the year that nature finally wakes up after hibernation, symbolizing the beginning of a new year with its renewal. Navruz is an ancient holiday, according to historians, it was celebrated 3000 years ago.
How is Navruz celebrated today? If the celebration of the European New Year begins at midnight, Navruz is celebrated in the afternoon. Like New Year, Navruz is a family holiday, it is also customary to celebrate it in the circle of relatives and friends. Following the main day of the celebration of Navruz - March 21, 13 more holidays follow, when it is customary to invite guests, as well as to visit, visit relatives, friends and just good acquaintances. IN holidays in parks and gardens, a large number of young seedlings of fruit trees are traditionally planted.
Residents of cities and villages in Uzbekistan are preparing for Navruz in advance. In each mahalla (neighboring community) hashars are held (joint work is akin to subbotnik). People, united by the common task of preparing for the holiday, bring the city or village into the proper festive look.
And here comes the long-awaited day of March 21. The holiday fun begins. Festive tables are laid in each mahalla, amber festive pilaf, music, songs, dances are prepared in huge cauldrons! Here is such a popular fun!

Taste sumalak!
Navruz has been considered since ancient times special holiday. Therefore, the table should be laid in a special generous way. There is such a sign - the richer the table, the richer the whole coming year will be. The festive menu is of great importance. On the day of Navruz, the main festive dishes are pilaf, shurpa and samsa with the first spring greenery. Also on the table should be a variety of snacks, sweets and fruits. But the highlight of the program this day is a plate of sprouted wheat! This dish must be on every holiday table.
From the grains of sprouted wheat, the main holiday delicacy, sumalak, is prepared. Sumalak is prepared in a special way, this is a real ritual, in which only women take part. Sumalak is prepared for a long time, for a whole day. Women, replacing each other, slowly stir the sprouted grains of wheat in a huge cauldron, which, thanks to their efforts, gradually turn into a thick, viscous brown mass. During this action, women sing folk songs about spring, about the Navruz holiday. During stirring, interesting sounds are heard in the cauldron. This is small pebbles or nuts hitting each other, which, thoroughly washed, are specially placed on the bottom of the boiler at the very beginning of sumalak preparation. This is necessary so that the sumalak does not burn during cooking. Well, if such a pebble or nut ends up in your bowl with sumalak - rejoice, the whole year will be successful and happy for you!

Kupkari
The ancient national game kupkari (ulok, buzkashi), beloved by the people, is associated with the celebration of Navruz. This is a game of truly strong and courageous men. Riding on dashing horses, players at full gallop strive to take away a young lamb from each other.
Prepare for the game seriously and in advance. You need to think through everything to the smallest detail. First you need to choose the right horse, which should be undersized, hardy and fast. Why are short horses preferred? There is a logical explanation for this - in the midst of this gambling and exciting game, the lamb often falls out of the hands of the players and the rider has to hang from the horse to the very ground in order to pick up the lamb again. The next moment of preparation for the game is the choice of clothes. Kupkari participants usually choose for themselves a quilted cotton robe and the same thick quilted pants. This choice is due to the fact that during the competition the rivals strike each other with a whip, which is allowed by the rules of the game, and wadded clothing is a good protection against blows.
And here comes the long-awaited moment of the game. All the horsemen line up and look forward to when one of the respected men throws a lamb into the center of the circle. And as soon as the animal is in the center of the circle, the riders rush forward. The goal of the game is to snatch the lamb from the hands of the opponent and with this trophy to ride to the finish line, leaving the rivals far behind. The finish line can be an ordinary post dug into the ground. Clouds of dust, snoring of horses, intensity of passions - this truly expressive spectacle causes a storm of emotions not only among the players competing with each other, but also among numerous spectators.
The main prize is awarded to the winner by respected aksakals. At the end of the game, the participants will have a festive dinner.

Beshik-tuyi
And now a joyful and important event - was born new person! In the Uzbek family, the appearance of a baby is accompanied by the ancient ritual festival "Beshik tuyi" - "Wooden cradle". This ceremony is usually performed on the seventh, ninth, eleventh or fortieth day from the birth of the child. On the day of the ceremony, relatives from the wife's side bring a richly decorated cradle "beshik" and the necessary accessories for the child, as well as many different sweets, traditional Uzbek cakes and toys for the baby, which are wrapped in a tablecloth - dastarkhan. The sounds of karnay, surnay and tambourine announce the beginning of the ceremony. Many guests gather in the house, who are led to a festive table filled with rich treats. And while the guests are eating, enjoying the play of musicians, celebrating and having fun, elderly women in the children's room perform the ceremony of the first swaddling of a baby and putting it in a beshik. At the end of the ceremony, according to tradition, the child's bride is arranged. Guests enter the children's room, admire the baby and shower the beshik with parvard, navat and other sweets, according to the rite, this is done so that the child's life is joyful and prosperous.

Hatna-kilish
The kid has grown up. Now he has to go through a very important rite of hatna-kilish or sunnat tuyi. This is a very ancient, sanctified by Islam, Uzbek rite of circumcision. It is carried out in boys aged three to nine years. In the people this ceremony is also called "wedding". Parents start preparing for the wedding from the very birth of the child, relatives and neighbors also take part in the preparation wedding gifts. Before the ceremony, the Koran is read in the presence of the imam from the mosque, relatives and honorary elders of the mahala. After reading the surahs from the Koran, the elders bless the boy and give him gifts. After that, a festive table is laid and the rite itself begins - a big "wedding". At the end of the ceremony, the guests congratulate the boy, showering him with money and sweets. And here is the climax - a young stallion, decorated with elegant ribbons and rich harness. With wishes to grow up as a powerful and brave horseman, the boy is seated on a horse. And at the end of the ritual, a holiday begins with plentiful refreshments, music, and dancing.

Fatiha-tui
The son grew up, matured, reached the age of majority - it's time to start your own family. According to tradition, parents themselves choose a bride for their son, matchmakers help them in this. The choice of the bride is treated with all responsibility, asking in detail about her family, getting to know the girl's relatives. All! The choice has been made! The day of the engagement comes - "fatiha-tuy". On this day, guests gather in the house of the betrothed girl, including respectable old men and the chairman of the mahalla. The matchmakers state the purpose of their visit, after which the rite "non sindirish" is performed, in literal translation it means "to break the cake." After this interesting ancient ceremony, the young are considered engaged, and the wedding day is appointed. The bride's relatives generously present gifts to the groom's relatives and matchmakers - they each give a dastarkhan with two cakes and sweets, and also give gifts to the groom and his parents. From the moment of the engagement, preparations for the wedding begin.

Ah, this wedding!
In the life of the Uzbek people, a wedding is an extremely important significant event. The wedding is celebrated especially solemnly, with the obligatory observance of a number of wedding ceremonies. The wedding day starts with plov. On this day, wedding pilaf is arranged in the houses of the bride and groom, and pilaf for the bride's house is prepared in the groom's house. Marriage in the registry office takes place after the imam of the mosque reads to the young a prayer for marriage - "Khutbai nikokh" and declares them husband and wife before God. Before the start of the wedding, the bride and groom are dressed in wedding clothes - sarpo. The central event of the wedding is the rite of farewell to the parents, which is held before the bride, accompanied by her friends, leaves her father's house and goes to the groom's house. As soon as the bride crosses the threshold of the groom's house, the wedding celebration begins. Numerous guests gather at the festive table. The number of guests of two hundred and even three hundred people at a traditional Uzbek wedding is quite common. The festival is fun, bright, incendiary. At the end of the wedding, another ancient ceremony is held - the ransom of the bride, which takes place in a room specially designated for young people. The groom escorts the bride to the door of the room, where she is usually met by a close friend "yanga". In the room, the bride changes clothes and hides behind a special "gushanga" curtain. Accompanied by friends, the groom enters the room, where he is offered to give a ransom for the bride. A bargaining begins, as a result of which the groom symbolically redeems the bride from the "yangi". At the end of this ceremony, the bride and groom are left alone in the room for the whole night.
The next morning after the wedding, the rite "Kelin salom" is performed. This ceremony means the reception of the bride in new family. Parents, relatives and friends of the groom gather in the yard, give the bride gifts and bless her. The bride, in turn, greets everyone, bowing low. From this moment begins family life.

Morning pilaf
In what cases is pilaf cooked in the morning? The ancient rite of the morning pilaf is not only a festive, but also a memorial pilaf, which in both cases is served only by men. The preparation of the morning pilaf begins in the evening, with the ritual of chopping carrots - "sabzi tugrar". The morning pilaf itself is prepared by the end of the morning prayer - "bomdod namozi". It is the participants in the prayer who are the first to taste the freshly prepared morning pilaf. The beginning of the morning pilaf is announced by the sounds of karnays and surnays. The guests sit down at the tables and, having performed the ceremony of wishes - fotihi, proceed to the meal. First, cakes and tea are served on the table, then pilaf in large lagans, one lagan is designed for two people. At the end of the meal, the rite of fotihi is performed again. At the end of the morning pilaf, guests of honor are usually presented with national men's dressing gowns - chapans.

mahalla
The neighboring community - mahalla - always takes an active part in all the main events of the Uzbek family. The mahalla principle is independence and self-government for the purpose of mutual assistance. Possessing vast thousand years of experience in doing business, the Uzbek mahalla is still the center of family, household and religious ceremonies today. The community is the custodian of the culture and traditions of the Uzbek people. But mahalla is not just a mutual aid society, it also successfully performs educational functions. Under the direct supervision of the entire community, generation after generation grows up. Children who grew up in the mahalla are brought up in the spirit of respect for elders.

Khashar
In any mahalla there is a wonderful ancient tradition of mutual assistance - hashar. As they say, the whole world residents of the mahalla voluntarily and disinterestedly help each other if necessary. You need to build a house, improve a street or a district, organize a morning pilaf - hashar always comes to the rescue.
Both in sorrow and in joy, the residents of the mahalla try to stick together. As a rule, no one refuses when everyone is notified about hashar. People are preparing for this event together, they also work together and work together, managing to complete a large amount of necessary work in one calendar day. And then they also arrange lunch or dinner together. A wonderful oriental tradition!

Uzbek national clothes
Uzbek national clothes, which testify to the rich, have original and unique features. cultural traditions Uzbek people, their way of life, rituals and traditions. Of course, in the cities, most of the population, following the trends of the time, wears European clothes, but in the villages the main trends of traditional Uzbek clothes are still preserved.
In all ages, people loved to dress beautifully, because it is clothes that perfectly emphasize the individuality of a person. Everyday men's clothing in Uzbekistan was a traditional shirt - kuylak, and among the inhabitants of the Ferghana and Tashkent regions, an open shirt - yakhtak was common. Both of these shirts were sewn from cotton fabric. Sometimes the edges of the collar of the shirt were sheathed with braid - jiyak.
Other accessory men's suit there were pants - ishton. They were of the simplest, uncomplicated cut, wide at the top and tapering downwards, without buttons, slits, and even without pockets.
The men's suit was complemented by a robe - chapan. Dressing gowns were sewn from striped fabric with vertical cuts on the floors, they were sheathed with woven braid. There were no buttons on the dressing gown; the floors of the dressing gown were connected by two strings attached in the chest area. Depending on the season, the dressing gowns were light without lining, more insulated with a thin lining, and winter ones, insulated with wadding.
The clothes of people of a noble family were decorated with gold embroidery. Dressing gowns, skullcaps and even shoes were embroidered with gold thread. Nowadays, the details of the male wedding suit there are also a robe embroidered with gold - a zaparchon and a turban made of silver or gold brocade.
A square scarf made of cotton or silk fabric, folded at an angle, called belbog, was also a common attribute of national men's clothing. Belbog was tied around the waist, usually it was of a bright tone and stood out against the habitually dark men's clothing.
According to the laws of Islam, the faithful were forbidden to leave the house with their heads uncovered. Thus, another element of the men's costume appeared - the headdress kuloh or skullcap - duppi.

The most common male skullcap is the Chust skullcap of the Ferghana Valley. It has a strict, but at the same time very interesting decorative appearance - on a black background, an ornament in the form of kalampir pepper pods is embroidered with white threads, and sixteen patterned arches are arranged in a row along the edge. Skullcaps made of velvet or cotton fabric in black, blue or dark green were and remain popular in Tashkent to this day. But in Khorezm, hats made of sheepskin are preferred as a headdress.
traditional clothing For the fair sex living in Uzbekistan, these are kuylak dresses and Lozim bloomers. The dresses were long, straight, but sometimes widening downwards. The sleeves are also long, covering the brush. Later, at the end of the nineteenth century, the dresses were somewhat modernized - a detachable yoke, a stand-up collar and cuffs on the sleeves appeared in their cut. Dresses made of bright silk and the famous khan-atlas have survived to this day.
An integral part women's clothing were and have reached today's modern harem pants.

These are trousers that are wide at the top and narrowed at the bottom, worn under the dress. Sometimes the bottom of the bloomers is sheathed with a braid - a jiyak.
The upper national dress, as well as for men, was a robe - mursak. This robe was made long in the form of a tunic, sometimes quilted on wadding. Also, women used a tun chapan dressing gown, similar in cut to men's, as outerwear. In the nineteenth century in women's wardrobe a camisole or kamzur appeared. At the same time, waistcoats - nimcha - came into fashion.
After the abolition of the veil in the twenties of the last century,

Uzbek women began to use a headscarf as a headdress. Sometimes the headdress consisted of not one, but two scarves - one, folded diagonally, was worn in the form of a headband, and the second was thrown over the head. The shawls were sometimes decorated with embroidery. By the beginning of the twentieth century, duppi skullcaps with gold thread or silk embroidery were widely used.
What woman doesn't love jewelry? According to tradition, gold and silver jewelry was an addition to the national costume of an Uzbek woman, regardless of age. These are rings with natural stones, and bracelets, and earrings with pendants in the form of domes. Necklaces made of coins or coral beads served as decorations for the neck. All decorations were real works of art.
Peace to your home, dear citizens!

Each country welcomes guests in its own way, but few places have special traditions and even rituals for this. In Uzbekistan, hospitality is one of the most ancient traditions and customs that have survived to this day.

Hospitality does not just reflect the respect of Uzbeks for their guests, it is a kind of law for every Uzbek family to accept a guest with all the necessary honors, no matter how much a person has. big weight in society and position. To important guests, of course, even more honor is expressed.

The ancient custom of hospitality has become important for the Uzbeks since the time when there were nomadic tribes and when people went on a long journey in order to find the best place for their tribe or community. Then, throughout the journey, honors were given to such a person, because he risked going on a long journey, alone, and he deserves great respect.

That family in Uzbekistan, which receives guests badly, is not worthy of respect, and members of this family can only bring shame to all other relatives. It is very bad if it turns out that the guest was received not according to tradition.

In each family, the owner of the house himself chooses a place at the table for guests, and only after that he and his family members sit down at the table. It is not customary to plant the most honored guests near the entrance or near the door. Traditionally, several generations live in one house in Uzbekistan and, of course, the oldest generation is treated with great respect.

Women and men sit down different tables, but this custom is currently preserved only in some villages. In the city, a large table is usually set up, which can accommodate both guests and the whole big family. Guests usually shake hands with men, and women are given a deep bow, as the keeper of the hearth and warmth in the house.

They always come to visit with souvenirs for adults and sweets for children. However, it will be a big mistake and an insult to the whole family if you refuse an invitation to dinner or lunch. You can start a meal only after the owner of the house reads a prayer at the table.

These are not the only traditions that have been preserved today in Uzbekistan. A lot of customs in Uzbek families are associated with the birth of children, with weddings, and also with funerals.

As soon as young people in Uzbekistan reach the age when they can marry, parents start thinking about how to find a suitable match for their children. Young people are now free from prejudices and therefore parents give them the opportunity to decide on their own with whom to go through life. However, such rules were initially observed that parents looked for couples from a worthy family for their children.

Not a single wedding in Uzbekistan begins without the matchmaking and engagement taking place. Usually, the most respected women from the groom’s family come to the Uzbeks to woo a young girl, because women can better understand each other, and they themselves know how to approach the girl’s mother and the bride herself with such questions. After consent is given to formalize the marriage the day of the wedding is set. During the matchmaking, the groom's relatives give gifts to all the girl's relatives, and from that moment on, the young are considered engaged.

The Uzbek wedding itself is associated with a large number of different customs and rituals that are strictly observed. It is necessary that marriage be concluded both before God and before society. As a result, for the young, a mullah is first invited, who reads a prayer, blessing the young on life together. After that, the newlyweds are already sent to the registry office in order to legitimize their relationship in front of all people and officially become husband and wife.

Weddings among Uzbeks are always numerous and up to three hundred people can gather at the festive table. It is the festive table that is the most obligatory for the Uzbek wedding. The groom's parents always make the largest and most expensive gift - a house or apartment for a young family, so that they can live separately and start their own business. new life.

The parents of the bride must fully furnish the housing for the young with everything necessary. This, of course, requires a lot of money, but in the case of a wedding, funds are usually not considered and each party does everything that is necessary.

When a young wife comes to her husband's house, the event is accompanied by many rituals related to the fact that young people can enter new house clean and start a new life with a clean slate. The second day of the wedding is also full of various rituals. The second day is marked by the fact that the young wife finds a new home and enters her husband's family. The husband's relatives give the girl many gifts and bless her for a happy life.

Another significant event in Uzbekistan, which is accompanied by many rituals, is the birth of a child in a young family. To celebrate the birth of a baby come on the fortieth day after his birth.

On this day, a large number of guests gather, and everyone brings gifts for the baby: sweets, diapers, all things necessary for the child, toys.

The oldest women gather in the children's room in order to perform the first swaddling ceremony on the baby, while everyone else celebrates this day at the festive table. The whole ceremony of the holiday ends with the fact that each of the guests is allowed to see the child, and each gives his gifts.

Of particular importance for the family is the birth of a boy. For Muslims, circumcision is obligatory, which must be performed before the boy is nine years old. This rite is accompanied by a gathering of guests, holiday table and joy after the rite of circumcision is performed. The oldest men who came to the circumcision ceremony bless the boy.

Each ritual is of great importance for the Uzbek people and each family honors the traditions of these rituals, despite the fact that today in many countries some traditions and family values ​​\u200b\u200bare starting to depart.

Uzbekistan is a country with a long history, located in the very heart of the Great Silk Road. Some cities of Uzbekistan are more than 2 thousand years old; ancient states once flourished on its territory. The current sovereign Uzbekistan is the heir to the Uzbek SSR, which was considered one of the most developed republics within the Soviet Union. On August 31, 1991, Uzbekistan declared its sovereignty. Today's life in this country bears little resemblance to the Soviet past. The republic is part of the CIS. The foreign policy of the state is aimed at increasing its international prestige and strengthening interregional ties. The country's government officially announced its neutrality and refusal to join military-political blocs.

Uzbekistan yesterday and today

By the time the territory of modern Uzbekistan was annexed to the Russian Empire, which took place in the second half of the 19th century, three independent states existed within its borders: the Kokand and Khiva khanates, as well as the Emirate of Bukhara. The entry of the khanates into the empire passed peacefully, while the army of Bukhara was defeated by Russian troops. After the 1917 revolution, the Uzbeks put up fierce resistance to the Soviet regime, which was finally suppressed only in the 30s of the XX century.

Members of the partisan movement were called Basmachi.

During the period of being a part of the USSR, Uzbekistan has turned from a backward colonial territory into a modern industrial and agrarian country.

In Uzbekistan, as in any other republic of the post-Soviet space, traces of the Soviet system are still visible. They are felt in the mentality of the Uzbeks, they can be seen in the actions and attitudes of officials, in the daily behavior of people. A guest who has set foot on Uzbek land for the first time is gripped by the feeling that a time machine is not a fantasy. Uzbekistan is developing disproportionately. The service sector lags far behind other sectors of the economy, and private business requires further self-assertion. A significant part of the economy is the public sector. The main reforms in cultural life are aimed at accepting and following Islamic traditions.

Geographical and climatic features

In terms of territory (447,400 sq. km), Uzbekistan ranks 56th among the countries of the world. 5% of the area belongs to the water surface of the Aral Sea. The climate is sharply continental, arid, with a large difference in daily temperatures.

The main cities are located in the valleys of large rivers. Uzbekistan itself is located in the very heart of Central Asia. It borders on Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The state is well and harmoniously integrated into the economy and politics of the region. Ecological cleanliness is at the proper level, since there are not many working industrial enterprises in the country.

In 2016, 31 million 807 thousand people lived in the country. The population density was almost 76 people per square kilometer. Uzbekistan ranks 41st in the world in terms of population. The urbanization rate is slightly over 50%.

The main cities of the country are its capital Tashkent (2 million 352 thousand inhabitants), Samarkand (510 thousand), Namangan (476 thousand), Andijan (403 thousand). In 2009, an administrative reform was carried out in the country, which transferred almost a thousand large rural-type settlements to the category of cities. As a result, the level of urbanization rose sharply from 35% to 50%.

In terms of population, the Republic of Uzbekistan became the third in the CIS. More residents in Russian Federation and Ukraine.

average life expectancy

The country has a high birth rate, a lot of young people. Population growth - 2.2% per year. The average life expectancy is 72.9 years. Men live 70.6 years, women - 75.1 years. The last census was conducted back in 1989.

What nationalities live in Uzbekistan

The national composition and number are determined by periodic assessments of the UN and the government of Uzbekistan. The latest figures show that representatives of more than 25 major nationalities live in the country. Ethnic Uzbeks make up 82% of the population, 4.8% belong to Tajiks, Russians are in third place - 2.6%, and Kyrgyz are in fourth place with 1.4%. The number of ethnic Ukrainians in the republic is estimated at 105 thousand people, and Belarusians - at 20 thousand. Smaller nations are Tatars, Karakalpaks, Tajiks, etc. These figures are approximate, the accuracy is within the limits of statistical error.

Religion, language and traditions of Uzbeks

93% of the population is Muslim. It is recognized as the official religion of the country. The Sunni direction prevails, Shiites are no more than 1%. Orthodox make up 4%, Catholics - 3%. The Constitution of Uzbekistan declares it a secular state. Islam, however, as in any Muslim country, significantly affects all spheres of life in Uzbek society. There are 2050 mosques, madrasas and Islamic centers in Uzbekistan.

For comparison, in 1980 there were only 89 mosques in the Uzbek SSR.

The spiritual capital of the Uzbeks is ancient Samarkand. There are 175 Orthodox churches in the country. There are practically no conflicts on religious grounds; relations between Muslims and Christians are characterized by tolerance. A significant part of Muslim believers is Uzbek youth, the attendance of mosques is very high.

The official language of the country is Uzbek.. The Russian language, which is considered the second most important, is widely spoken in Uzbekistan. It is spoken by most of the population, especially the urban ones. Despite the fact that Russian does not have an official status, a large percentage of the document flow is conducted in it. Almost all documentation is duplicated in Russian. A lot of TV shows, radio programs, printed publications can be watched, listened to and read in Russian.

Almost the entire older generation knows Russian. Young people also know a little, but are unlikely to speak it. That is, if you need to learn something from a passerby, it is better to ask someone who is older.

At school, the study of the Russian language is mandatory from the first grade. There are 848 schools in the country where Russian is the main language of instruction. Some universities also provide training on it. Compulsory study of English has been introduced in schools since the first grade.

In the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, Karakalpak is considered the official language.

Family and attitude towards women

Uzbek traditions are ancient, they began in the mists of time, in prosperous Bukhara, sultry Samarkand, mysterious Khiva.

In Uzbek society, a man dominates, in rural areas women are still forbidden to appear in public with an open face, but this tradition today is far from being valid in all regions of the country.

Uzbek families, as a rule, have many children. It is considered the norm if there are five or even ten children in the family. Islam allows a man to have up to four wives. National traditions and customs are jealously guarded and observed, especially in the provinces. Much is determined by Sharia law.

The vast majority of Uzbeks are hospitable and friendly people. Guests are always welcome here, this is one of the national traditions. Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan love and are proud of their country, they are sincerely patriotic. Therefore, having arrived in Uzbekistan, in no case should one offend the national dignity of the Uzbeks.

The cities of the country are more modern, today's Uzbeks cannot be caught either in technical or cultural backwardness. The most cosmopolitan cities of Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Andijan) can even boast of the presence of women in business. There are also many of them in the field of education and culture. Uzbeks are much more relaxed and modern in relation to women than their neighbors in Tajikistan or Afghanistan.

Russians in Uzbekistan

Russians began to come to the country at the end of the century before last. IN Soviet time migration intensified: many went to raise the economy, healthcare, and public education of the Central Asian republic. A significant part of the ethnic Russians who settled on Uzbek soil were servicemen who received housing after their retirement, as well as members of their families.

With the release of the republic from the Soviet Union, the situation changed dramatically. Many ethnic Russians left sovereign Uzbekistan as inter-ethnic problems worsened, the threat of Islamization loomed, and an explosive situation arose in the Central Asian region. For decades after the collapse of the Union, the situation of Russians in Uzbekistan does not cause much joy. Since the late 80s, hundreds of thousands of representatives of the Russian people have left the territory. Their approximate number in the republic today is about one million people. In general, the situation with interethnic relations now looks quite acceptable, despite individual manifestations of nationalism by Uzbek radicals.

The ethnic composition of the country's population has changed significantly since the collapse of the USSR. In addition to Russians, a large number of Ukrainians, Germans, Meskhetian Turks and Jews left Uzbekistan. At the end of the 1980s, the contradictions between the Uzbeks and the Meskhetian Turks escalated to the extreme, which led to bloodshed.

To live in Uzbekistan, you need to know and observe the customs of the country. It cannot be said that a person with a Slavic appearance is perceived by the locals with hostility. Rather, they closely monitor him and his behavior and respect for the local mentality and traditions.

Full integration into Uzbek society for an immigrant from Russia and other Slavic countries is most likely impossible. It is closed and conservative. Despite the fact that there are practically no religious conflicts in the country, the Orthodox are somewhat wary.

Video: how Russians live in Uzbekistan now

The economic basis of modern Uzbekistan was created in the Soviet period. Agriculture is focused on growing cotton and cereals. In terms of cotton exports, the country ranks third in the world, and sixth in terms of production. The share of agriculture in GDP is 17%. In addition to cotton and wheat, vegetables and gourds are grown in the fields of the country. About 95% of agricultural products are produced by dekhkans (farmers).

Uzbekistan ranked 11th in the world ranking of gas exporters, fifth in uranium production, and the total gold reserves in Uzbek subsoil put it in fourth place in the world. The share of industrial production in GDP was 24%, more than 50% is occupied by the service sector. The country is actively exploring and further developing mineral deposits, they make up a significant part of exports.

Thus, oil reserves in Uzbek soil are estimated by experts at 5 billion tons, gas - more than 5 trillion cubic meters.

Also, the bowels of the country contain large reserves of coal. An important gas pipeline from Central Asia to China passes through the territory of Uzbekistan. The main part of the country's industry is cotton production, food and machine-building enterprises, and ferrous metallurgy.

Everyday life in modern Uzbekistan

Life in the country is gradually improving. Economic growth is stable and is about 7% per year. Accordingly, there are new jobs and opportunities for business development. The authorities are constantly attracting foreign investment by concluding agreements at the government level. But it is not easy for a foreigner who does not have connections in high circles to open his own business.

It is worth noting that official government statements contrast sharply with the responses of ordinary residents of the country. Uzbekistan is a state with authoritarian rule.

IN last years a reform was carried out, as a result of which taxes in the republic were significantly reduced. For example, the income tax today is 7.5%, and for small commercial enterprises the rate of the single social payment has been reduced (from 28 to 15%).

Budget spending on education is 6%, and on healthcare - 11.5%.

Secondary education is compulsory and free. Money from the parents of schoolchildren is charged only for the use of textbooks. The system of higher education is well developed, it has two levels. There are seven state universities in the country, most of the young professionals have diplomas from Uzbek universities. Since 2004, distance learning has been abolished.

The national currency of Uzbekistan is the sum. One US dollar is equal to 3,250 soums at the official rate. On the black market, the rate is incomparably higher. For a dollar, they ask about 6,100 soums here. Individuals can buy currency only by bank transfer. The maximum amount of the purchased currency cannot exceed 2 thousand dollars and requires an application to be submitted to the bank. It is completed within two to three months. Purchase of air tickets is made only for currency. Usually cash. Therefore, the black market for currency is thriving.

Video: review of life in Tashkent

The standard of living of an average resident of Uzbekistan today cannot be called high. One can observe a significant difference between a city, especially a large one, and a province. In terms of living standards, the Republic of Uzbekistan ranks 138th out of 193 in the world. Each citizen accounts for $2,090 of GDP.

The salary in the republic is much lower than in economically prosperous countries. The minimum wage is revised annually upwards. So, in October 2016, it was raised by 15%, social benefits were also increased. The minimum wage in Uzbekistan is 149,775 sums per month ($46 at the official exchange rate).

The most popular specialties among Russian youth in Tashkent now are waiter, DJ, hairdresser, beautician, as well as computer designer, operator or system administrator. In these areas of activity, we have skills, albeit artisanal, but real, acquired in practice, that are still in demand without a rigid connection with higher or special education. And young people often seek, first of all, to occupy any “free niche” that has turned up, and only then think about education, prospects for professional and career growth. It must be admitted that they unconsciously learned this by looking at us. More precisely - on that part of the older generation of Russians, for which the ability to adapt to the surrounding givens and humble their ambitions has become almost the main character trait.

For a foreigner coming from a developed Western European country, prices in Uzbekistan will seem simply ridiculous. But the natives are not laughing at all. This is due to low incomes.

A square meter of housing in a new building in a residential area of ​​Tashkent will cost the buyer about $600, the same meter in the center will cost $1,060. Renting a one-room apartment in a residential area is $180, a similar apartment in the center is $220.

The products are not cheap. For example, a kilo of potatoes costs 50 cents, a kilo of rice costs $1.85, a dozen eggs cost $1.50, a loaf of bread costs 26 cents, and a liter of milk costs $1.83. A pack of cigarettes is about 80 cents, a bottle of vodka is about $3. Food prices are approximately the same throughout the country.

It is customary to bargain at the oriental bazaar. If the buyer does not do this, then he is not taken seriously. In a trader, on the contrary, they see a worthy person. On the market, you can cut the price by half, or even three times. This rule is true for any oriental bazaar.

Video: how much do groceries cost in Tashkent

The minimum pension in the country is 292,940 soums (a little over $90). In the absence of the necessary length of service, it will amount to 179,755 soums, and those who have been disabled since childhood receive 292,730 soums per month. Men go on a well-deserved rest when they reach the age of 60 and have an experience of 25 years, and women - at the age of 55 (with a work experience of 20 years).

Where is the best place for ordinary people to live?

The degree of its development directly affects the income of residents of a certain area. Tashkent traditionally has the highest incomes. Here an average salary of $300 is considered, in Samarkand this figure is somewhat lower - $250, and in Andijan an income of $200 will be considered a rating. The city of Shavat will become somewhat more promising - its residents earn an average of $255. The lowest average salary in the city of Urgench is only 147 dollars. Much depends on the profession of a person. High (for Uzbekistan) salaries for employees of oil and gas companies, in geological exploration, in the financial sector. There are currently 26 branches of various banks operating in the country.

The most expensive city is Shavat, followed by Tashkent.

It is easier for a person with an education who is in demand in the labor market to live in large cities. Here he has the prospect of finding a relatively well-paid job in an innovative company, banking, etc. In the city, he will have to spend more on living. But there are also many more prospects. Work in the field of oil and gas production in the regions may be of considerable interest. The highest salaries in the country can be observed here. Foreign specialists are in demand, who can find a job in this sector of the economy for good money.

The standard of living in rural areas is much lower. The government of the country has taken a course on the development of farms. Most of them are small, but there are also medium and very large ones. Farming (dekhkanism) is inherent in the Uzbek mentality from time immemorial. That is why the population offered fierce resistance to Soviet collectivization. And today there are relatively few large agricultural producers in Uzbekistan, the bulk of the products are grown by small ones.

The income of an average resident of a remote village is equivalent to the minimum wages in the country. Farmers are considered a privileged caste, their income is directly proportional to the amount of labor invested in the land and the quality of the crop. Agricultural production is most developed in the fertile regions of the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers. From time immemorial, they have been the basis of agriculture in the region in which present-day Uzbekistan is located. The income of the owner of a small farm is $ 200 per month. This amount is conditional, since farmers receive the main profit during the harvest.

It should be noted that Uzbek legislation does not allow the possibility of dual citizenship. If a citizen of Uzbekistan receives a passport of another country, then he may well be deprived of Uzbek citizenship.

A ticket on a city bus will cost about 40 cents. The price of a taxi fare varies greatly depending on the region, as well as on whether the taxi driver represents a company or works on a private cab. In the latter case, the cost will be much higher. The average taxi fare in Tashkent is approximately 30-40 cents per kilometer. But from an inexperienced foreigner, local bombers may well rip off a dollar.

The country has a severe currency deficit. Therefore, having arrived in Uzbekistan, one should remember that none of the services in the country, with the exception of air tickets, is sold either for dollars or euros. When entering and leaving, the amount of currency should be strictly controlled, since the exported amount should be less than the imported one. It is better to make an exchange in official exchangers, although illegal buyers can give much more. It is better not to get involved with the latter, since the black currency market is highly criminalized.

The price of a trip by bus or train on an intercity route directly depends on the comfort of the vehicle and the distance. The fare for a hundred kilometers on an intercity bus will cost about eight dollars. The transport network in Uzbekistan is well developed. The central roads of the country are distinguished by good coverage, which cannot be said about the secondary ones. Chinese companies took an active part in the construction of highways.

The price of A-95 gasoline at gas stations in Tashkent is about 4,000 soums. Despite the fact that Uzbekistan produces and refines its own oil, there is a noticeable shortage of fuel in the country.

Until October 2016, the fuel business flourished, when A-80 gasoline was sold in remote regions at double the price of gas stations in Tashkent. President Islam Karimov, by his decree, introduced the same fuel prices for the whole country. Also, on all TV channels, on the radio and in the press, citizens were informed by a helpline, through which the latter are obliged to report illegal transactions with fuel, overpricing at gas stations, as well as resale by private individuals. By the way, the cost of gasoline in the republic is growing by about 10% from year to year.

Country perspectives: a look into the future

Over the past 15 years, the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan has quadrupled. The country's GDP today is more than $55 billion. Economists predict further growth, by 2035 GDP could reach at least $128 billion. Hence, life ordinary people will improve. The main directions of growth will be a further increase in the volume of mining, especially oil and gas. A significant increase in agricultural production is also expected. Uzbekistan already today declares its leadership in the world market of agricultural products in the export of plums, apples and gourds.

Some analysts see Uzbekistan as a potential economic and political leader in the Central Asian region, which will soon overtake Kazakhstan in many respects.

What you need to know about men and life in Uzbekistan

If you are madly in love with an Uzbek man and agree to anything to be with him, you should definitely read this article written by a Russian woman who married an Uzbek 6 years ago, especially for intdate.ru.

Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia, and it was through it that the Great Silk Road once passed. Usually, Russians and residents of other countries represent our country as a very backward state, in which residents ride donkeys, wear only national clothes and live in clay houses.

And often those who come to the country are surprised that everything is different here, however, this applies mainly to Tashkent and the Tashkent region. Indeed, the metropolitan region is completely different, much more modern and tolerant, for example, shorts and tops that girls like to wear.

As for the regions, in general, girls rarely go outside alone, without being accompanied by male relatives, not to mention open clothes. In general, there are fewer and fewer people of European nationalities - many leave for permanent residence in Russia, Kazakhstan, the USA, etc., so that the indigenous population noticeably prevails.

As for the national composition of the country - more than 80% of the inhabitants are Uzbeks, then there are Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Karakalpaks, Tatars, Koreans, Kyrgyz, etc., but I’ll say right away that Russians outside the Tashkent region can be counted on the fingers, they live mostly native Uzbeks, and if you happen to meet representatives of other nationalities, they usually speak the state language as their native language.

Now about the climate. Indeed, the weather and climate in Uzbekistan are favorable, however, in summer it is very hot, but quite dry (low humidity), so few people are afraid of 40 degrees. Autumn and spring are beautiful - autumn is warm, you can wear a light windbreaker until December, the rains are rarely cold and long.

Spring is the most delightful time of the year, it starts at the end of February and turns into summer in mid-May. Everything is blooming, fragrant, a light breeze, gentle sun, rains are rare and very warm, gentle. But the most beautiful spring in the mountains! The spurs of the Tien Shan Range are magnificent - every summer many residents of the capital region go there for a weekend, and in spring poppies, tulips bloom there, and the mountains themselves resemble Switzerland.

If you met an Uzbek man, and he charmed you at first sight (by the way, modern educated guys are great at seducing Russian women), you should first find out where he was born and raised. Usually it’s better not to mess with guys from the regions - the eastern mentality is too strong there, which sooner or later will make itself felt, even if the young man is very Europeanized and easily communicates in Russian.

At the same time, Tashkent men are considered more stingy and prudent, although there are exceptions everywhere.

Nevertheless, life in the capital, even in Uzbekistan, is the most acceptable option for a Russian girl who has decided to connect her life with an Uzbek. The fact is that life in Uzbekistan and life in Tashkent are two different things. In the capital, you will meet quite a lot of representatives of national minorities, including Russians, there are parks, theaters, exhibition halls and galleries, and there are many times more entertainment than in the regions.

- a colorful country with a special oriental flavor and richest history. The Uzbek ethnic group belongs to the oldest on the planet and is the most numerous in Central Asia.

Many features of the behavior of Uzbeks in society and family are determined by Muslim rules. The dominant religion in the country is decisive in everyday life, worldview and many other issues, as well as in politics and art. Thus, the daily five-time “prayer” is obligatory, the severity of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan, and there is also a ban on alcohol, cigarettes and food before sunset.

The rituals that take place during the birth and upbringing of children, marriage and even cooking are, in fact, an interweaving of the customs of Islam and magical ancient rituals. Taking into account all this, the Uzbeks are not religious fanatics, in their life there is a place for the secular side and all kinds of religious tolerance.

The family has a rather rigid hierarchy of relationships. The younger ones are unconditionally subordinate to the head of the family and the older ones. A woman is given a strong position as the mother and wife of the owner of the house and a weak one as a subordinate of her husband and his father (or mother).

In ancient times, the age of marriage for women was 13-14 years old, but in modern society, preference is given to European voluntariness in this matter. However, even today early marriages happen quite often. Children in any family are supposed to be loved and cherished in every possible way.

A peculiar traditional social form in Uzbekistan is the so-called "makhalla", which is a neighborhood community, including close neighbors and relatives, united by the rules of mutual assistance. Sometimes such a community includes the whole village or other locality.

The unshakable tradition of Uzbeks is the clear rules of hospitality. To be able to receive a guest well is extremely important in the local society. Usually the family meets a distinguished guest right at the door, they are sure to greet everyone, and also ask about the news in life. A table for a meal (“dastarkhan”) is usually placed either in the central hall or in the shade in the courtyard (fortunately, the warm climate allows this).

Eating opens and ends the tea party. The amount of tea also determines the degree of the guest's desire. A dear, long-awaited guest is supposed to pour as little as possible so that he often turns to the owners for more, this is a sign of respect for the house. An unwanted guest will receive a cup filled to the end.

Communication between Uzbeks is simple and democratic. A favorite place for talking about the important and transient is the tea house. Here you can hold business negotiations and discuss someone's personal problems.

Population

Population Uzbekistan and today has exceeded 28.5 million inhabitants. About 80% of them are Uzbek nationality, belonging to the Pamir-Fergana race with the addition of Turkic and Mongolian blood. Among the national minorities, the Russian population occupies the first place in terms of numbers (about 5.5%).

In addition, in Uzbekistan you can find Tajiks (their 5%), Kazakhs (their 3%), as well as Karakalpaks (2.5%), Tatars (1.5%) and representatives of other nationalities. On average, the life of a resident of Uzbekistan lasts 64 years. About 42% of the country's population is urbanized.

Language

official language country is Uzbek, which is spoken by almost everyone (about 90% of the population). Within the Uzbek language, dialects and dialects (Karluk, Kypchak, Oghuz and others) are widely spread. The Russian language is regularly used by 5% of the population, it is used much more widely in cities. In addition, it is the language of interethnic communication.

In cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara, people from Tajikistan live in large numbers, so Tajik speech can be heard here quite often. The tourism and trade sector is increasingly using English.

Religion

Despite the fact that officially Uzbekistan is a secular state, about 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims. In addition to them, professing Orthodox Christianity (9%), Buddhism and other confessions live in the country.

Behavior rules

If the owners received an invitation to dinner, it would be impolite to refuse. It is better to come with souvenirs and sweets for children, it is indecent to be late. When entering the house, do not forget to take off your shoes.

It is worth remembering that the reception of guests for Uzbeks is like some important theatrical ceremony, where everyone wants to please everyone as much as possible. Politeness in this process is required from the guest without fail.

The most honorable places at the table are those located away from the front door. Women are traditionally not supposed to sit at the table with men, but in cities few people remember this condition. At the table do not admire beautiful women and generally do not pay close attention to them. It would be appropriate to ask about the affairs and health of the family.

When starting a meal, it is worth remembering that Uzbek dishes put fat in abundance, so you should try to drink more green tea so that there are no digestive problems. Care must be taken with the hot cakes that are placed on the table. They can not be turned over and dropped to the ground, this is a very bad omen.

Uzbek tea drinking is often accompanied by complex rituals. The best way do not goof off - repeat the actions for those present.

They shake hands with everyone, even with strangers (however, not with women). At the same time it is supposed to take an interest in health and the like. It is customary to greet women and those who sit too far away by placing the right hand over the heart and bowing politely.

There are no restrictions on clothing styles, but you should not come to places of worship in short or too open. And in everyday wardrobe, you should refrain from shorts, especially if it is a rural area with its more conservative views.

National Uzbek holidays

January - Eid al-Adha (date floating);

March-April - Prophet's birthday (date floating);

October-November - Ramadan Bayram (end of Ramadan);