Uzbek customs.    National customs and traditions of people living in Uzbekistan. Culture Uzbekistan

Traveling in Central Asia is a cultural experience with ancient traditions still rooted deeply in everyday life.

It is not without reason that the art of receiving guests and hosting visitors in Central Asia has developed over the millennia into one of the most traditions in the world!

The art of hospitality
Through the cities along the Great Silk Road, such as Naryn, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva passed hundreds and thousands of tradesmen and the many helpers who accompanied the caravans of olden days. They were of the most diverse origin and backgrounds. They whole caravan would settle down a number of days in commercial capitals since dismantling the camels, storing the wares, trading, re-loading, all took time. Those who had a profound interest in making the caravan's stay a comfortable one, were the local tradesmen. For good business relationships but also to get the best deals, it was vital for these local business entrepreneurs and their family to entertain sumptuously. This meant a table covered, every inch of it, by a dizzying variety of delicacies, which would all be pressed upon the guest, with second and third servings being de rigeur and plates never being anywhere near empty.

Subsequently, foreign trades people, belt loosened, regally propped up on large, soft, beautiful pillows, their bellies stuffed with the most delectable food items, the ladies of the house mastered, served on beautiful china, were most likely in a feeble position to close a deal.

The concept of business lunch or business dinner is there for not of recent. Food, drink, a banquet enjoyed together, set the stage for negotiations. By creating a hospitable ambiente, by making their guest feel at ease inside the own private home, a relationship would turn from strictly business to one of lasting friendship.

The days of the caravans are history but the Central Asian Art of hospitality and the ancient customs around the table are very much alive. Yes, in the last 100 years, more European menu items have been added to a meal, yet the traditions formed during the bustling days of The Great Silk Road still apply and creating bonds, forging friendships through culinary occasions, is still the essence of Central Asian Hospitality and its friendly and peaceful people.

The ancient customs around the table are still very much alive!

Uzbek Tea ceremony
Tea is served 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 ones 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 substitutes as sweetener.

Toast
Every guest takes his turn as toast master. The toast master stands up, his glass of vodka in hand and delivers a short speech, which ideally includes the following elements: thank you, phraise to the host, something witty, best wishes to all for health and prosperity. Then everybody clink their glasses in the center of the table and drink (you may be expected to not leave anything in your glass). When invited to a banquet it is advisable to rapidly lay a strong foundation of bread and cheese since the first toast will be spoken within minutes.

Banquet and Etiquette
Tradition demands that the table in covered with food at all times. When quests arrive, all cold food items are on the table, served on small plates, namely the zakuski, the salads, cakes and cookies and a fruit arrangement in the center. Only completely empty serving plates are cleared. Guest plates are exchanged after every course.

The handshake
Men will always shake hands with other men. Even if you are not introduced to everyone, a simple handshake substitutes a formal introduction. A woman visitor may not be receiving a handshake unless she herself stretches out her hand. For the woman traveler, do not feel offended that you do not receive the same attention as the males in your group. As odd as it may seem to us in the West, it is only out of respect that you are not included in the hand-shaking ritual. Women will often greet you with a big hug, definitely with a handshake. For the winter traveler gloves should be removed when shaking hands.

Etiquette is important and strictly followed. There are a multitude of ways to greet strangers, acquaintances, or even lifelong friends.

The kiss on the cheek
Close friends or family members of the same sex will often greet each other with a more vibrant display of affection than a simple handshake. Kissing is the most common greeting seen among people of the region, and depending on where you are traveling, this is most often done two or three times on alternating cheeks. However, when a pair is exceptionally happy to see each other, or when one is showing a deep respect for the other, the exchange will most definitely continue past the requisite two- or three-kiss norm. As a sign of respect, elders will often receive a kiss from their less mature counterparts, whether acquainted or not.

The "silent bow"
One of the most beautiful features of Central Asian culture is found within one simple little gesture, this "silent bow". Often accompanying the handshake, men will place their left hand over their hearts and offer a slight, almost indiscernible, bow to their counterpart in a gesture of deep respect. This subtle bow or slight inclination of the head is also displayed in a variety of other exchanges among people. However, when not shaking hands, it is the right hand that is placed on the chest. You will most definitely encounter this when someone is offering thanks, saying goodbye or parting ways, or even when a younger man passes an elder in the street and wants to show his respect.

A good tip for any times and nations
There are over 140 nationalities throughout the Central Asian region, so customs differ from country to country, and even from village to village, so there is no one 'right cultural tenet to follow. And, as a foreign guest in a region proud of its tradition of hospitality, locals will readily forgive any transgression from the cultural norm. Also, as with anywhere in the world, a smile and a laugh can go a long way.