Uzbekistan

People

The Uzbeks are of Turkic-Mongol origin, with a long-standing presence in the steppes and oases of Central Asia. Their traditional way of life is closely tied to trade, agriculture, and the urban culture that flourished in historic cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Though they are predominantly Muslim, religious practice tends to be moderate and deeply intertwined with cultural customs, shaped by both pre-Islamic heritage and Soviet-era modernization.

Traditional clothing varies depending on the occasion. Men often wear the chapan (a quilted robe) along with the characteristic round cap known as doppa, while women frequently dress in colorful garments and loosely cover their heads with scarves, without the strict codes seen in other Islamic societies. In the cities, fashion is more modern, while in rural areas, traditional elements remain strong. Uzbeks are known for their hospitality, their rich musical and dance traditions, and their cuisine—most famously the plov, a rice dish with lamb and carrots, which accompanies nearly every major social gathering.

There is hardly any Uzbek who will not gift you a wide smile, usually having a golden denture, perhaps from the same material their hearts are made.

Places

The walled city of Khiva, with an atmosphere of mystery surrounding the enchanting mausoleums and madrasas, stands in the middle of the desert for thousands of years, and along with the river Amu Darya (Oxus of the Ancient Greeks) are the landmarks of the empire of Alexander The Great. Bukhara, a city-museum with countless monuments, has been a strategic part of the street of silk and Islamic teaching. The fabulous Samarkand, an ancient town of the Sogdian kingdom, flourished after the conquest of Alexander the Great and his marriage to Princess Roxanne, while later became the capital of the empire of Tamerlan. Tashkent, a modern, clean capital city with an influence of Soviet architecture, is a delightful city to walk around.