Culture of Uzbekistan

Uzbek women

Uzbekistan has a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with the Uzbek being the majority group. In 1995 about 71% of Uzbekistan's population was Uzbek. The chief minority groups were Russians (8%), Tajiks (officially 5%, but believed to be much higher), Kazaks (4%), Tatars (2.5%), and Karakalpaks (2%)and other minority groups include Armenians and Koryo-saram. It is said however that the number of non-indigenous people living in Uzbekistan is decreasing as Russians and other minority groups slowly leave and Uzbeks return from other parts of the former Soviet Union. Uzbeks and Tajiks are descendants of the Indian and European nomads roaming and settled in the steppes of Central Asia.

Heritage

Cultural heritage sites in Uzbekistan inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List^[1] are:

• Historic Centre of Bukhara (1993)
• Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (2000)
• Itchan Kala (1990)
• Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures (2001)

Religion

Mosque of Bukhara.

When Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991 it was widely believed that Muslim fundamentalism would spread across the region. The expectation was that an Islamic country long denied freedom of religious practice would undergo a very rapid increase in the expression of its dominant faith. As of 1994 about half of Uzbeks were said to belong to the Islam religion, though in an official survey few of that number had any real knowledge of the religion or knew how to practice it. However Islam is increasing in the region.

Education

Uzbekistan has a high literacy rate with about 88% of adults above the age of 15 being able to read and write. However with only 76% of the under 15 population currently enrolled in education this figure may drop in the future. Uzbekistan has encountered severe budgeting shortfalls in its education program. The education law of 1992 began the process of theoretical reform, but the physical base has deteriorated, and curriculum revision has been slow.

Cuisine

Palov

Tandir Kabob - Mutton prepared in the tandir oven

Main article: Uzbek cuisine

Uzbek Cuisine is influenced by local Agriculture, as in most nations. There is a great deal of Grain farming in Uzbekistan, so Breads and Noodles are of importance and Uzbek cuisine has been characterized as Noodle-rich. Mutton is a popular variety of Meat due to the abundance of Sheep in the country and it is part of various Uzbek dishes.

Uzbekistan's signature dish is Palov (Plov or Osh), a main course typically made with Rice, pieces of Meat, and grated Carrots and Onions. Oshi Nahor, or Morning Plov, is served in the early morning (between 6 and 9 am) to large gatherings of guests, typically as part of an ongoing Wedding celebration. Other notable national dishes include: Shurpa (Shurva or Shorva), a Soup made of large pieces of Fatty Meat (usually Mutton) and Fresh Vegetables; Norin and Lagman, Noodle-based dishes that may be served as a Soup or a main course; Manti, Chuchvara, and Somsa, stuffed pockets of Dough served as an appetizer or a main course; Dimlama (a Meat and Vegetable stew) and various Kebabs, usually served as a main course.

Green Tea is the national hot beverage taken throughout the day; Teahouses (Chaikhanas) are of cultural importance. The more usual Black Tea is preferred in Tashkent, both Green and Black teas are typically taken without Milk or Sugar. Tea always accompanies a meal, but it is also a drink of hospitality, automatically offered green or black to every guest. Ayran, a chilled Yogurt drink, is popular in summer, but does not replace Hot Tea.

The use of Alcohol is less widespread than in the west, but Wine is comparatively popular for a Muslim nation as Uzbekistan is largely secular. Uzbekistan has 14 Wineries, the oldest and most famous being the Khovrenko Winery in Samarkand (est. 1927). The Samarkand Winery produces a range of Dessert Wines from local Grape varieties: Gulyakandoz, Shirin, Aleatiko, and Kabernet likernoe (literally Cabernet Dessert Wine in Russian). Uzbek Wines have received international awards and are exported to Russia and other countries.

The choice of desserts in Bukharan Jewish and Uzbek cuisines are limited. A typical festive meal ends with fruit or a compote of fresh or dried fruit, followed by nuts and Halvah with Green Tea. A Bukharan Jewish specialty for guests on a Shabbat afternoon is Chai Kaymoki - Green Tea mixed, contrary to the standard Uzbek practice, with a generous measure of milk (in 1:1 proportions) and a tablespoon of butter in the teapot. The Tea is sometimes sprinkled with chopped almonds or walnuts before serving.

Sport

Djamolidine Abdoujaparov is the most famous Cyclist in Uzbekistan, winning 3 Tour de France point contests. Abdoujaparov is also one of the world's fastest Cyclists.

Main article: Sport in Uzbekistan

See also: Uzbekistan at the Olympics, Uzbekistan national football team, and Uzbekistan national rugby union team

Uzbekistan is home to former racing Cyclist Djamolidine Abdoujaparov. Abdoujaparov has won the points contest in the Tour de France 3 times, each time winning the coveted green jersey. The green jersey is second only to the yellow jersey. Abdoujaparov was a specialist at winning stages in tours or one day races when the bunch or peloton would finish together. He would oftern 'sprint' in the final kilometer and had a reputation as being dangerous in these bunch sprints as he would weave side to side in a sprint. This reputation earned him the nickname 'The Terror of Tashkent'. Artur Taymazov won Uzbekistan's first Wrestling medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics, as well as 2 gold medals at both the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Men's 120 kg.

Ruslan Chagaev is a professional Boxer representing Uzbekistan in the WBA. He won the WBA champion title in 2007 after defeating Russian Nikolai Valuev. Chagaev defended his title twice before losing it to Vladimir Klitschko in 2009.

Uzbekistan is also the home of the International Kurash Association. Kurash is an internationalized and modernized form of the traditional Uzbek fighting art of Kurash.

Football is the most popular Sport in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's premier Football league is the Uzbek League which features 16 teams. The current champions are FC Bunyodkor, and the team with the most championships is FC Pakhtakor Tashkent with 8. The current player of the year is Odil Ahmedov. Uzbekistan also regularly participates in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.

Before Uzbekistan's independence in 1991, the country used to be part of the Soviet Union Football, Rugby, Ice Hockey, Basketball, and Handball national teams. After Uzbekistan got split up from the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan created its own Football, Rugby, and Futsal national teams.

Rugby, Handball, Baseball, Ice Hockey, Basketball, and Futsal are becoming popular Sports in Uzbekistan.

See also

• Islam in Uzbekistan
• Music of Uzbekistan
• Scout Association of Uzbekistan
• Education in Uzbekistan
• Public holidays in Uzbekistan

References

• This article contains some text originally adapted from the public domain Library of Congress Country Study for Uzbekistan at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/uztoc.html

1. ^ World Heritage List: Uzbekistan