The Navruz spring festival is celebrated with unique traditions in each region of Uzbekistan. Readers of Podrobno.uz have begun sharing their stories related to the holiday, and we are publishing the first responses.

In Namangan, for master craftswoman Saida Khalitova of the "Hunarmand" Association, Navruz is primarily associated with craftsmanship. Every year during the holiday period, she participates in applied art fairs where she presents her authorial dolls. She draws inspiration for them from literature and history: Yusuf and Zuleikha, Farhad and Shirin, Tahir and Zuhra, Amir Timur, Alisher Navoi, Boburshoh, Abu Rayhan Beruni. There are also characters from everyday life: a dancer, a bride, a mullah, a poet, a dutar musician.

By profession, Saida is a pedagogue and language teacher, so literary tradition naturally entered her creative work. "Creating a doll combines elements of different arts – sculpture, painting, decorative costume. It is a kind of harmony of image," she says. During Navruz, master craftsmen traditionally gather at exhibitions and fairs. For Saida, this is not only an opportunity to present her creativity but also to feel the atmosphere of spring renewal, when music sounds in the square and sumalak is prepared nearby.

In the Bukhara region, in Gijduvan, another interesting custom has been preserved. According to master ceramist Dilnoza Narzullaeva, on March 21, people here whistle into special ceramic whistles. It is believed that their ringing sound symbolically calls for rain – for a good harvest and prosperity in the coming year. The whistles are made by the craftswoman herself. They are painted with traditional patterns and sold at holiday fairs. For locals, these are not just souvenirs but part of a local tradition where craftsmanship merges with ritual.

From the editorial board: What traditions exist in your region? We continue to collect your stories. We remind you that stories can be sent to our editorial office until March 15.

Source: podrobno.uz