The Culture of Uzbekistan is one of the most diverse and unique in the entire Orient. It includes incomparable folk traditions, folklore, music, dances, fine and folk crafts, unique national cuisine and national costume.
The Uzbek family is characterised above all by hospitality and the traditional respectful treatment of the elderly. The Uzbeks usually live in large multi-generational families, therefore large country houses are preferred. In everyday life, the tea ceremony plays an important role as a component of hospitality. The preparation of tea and serving it to guests is also the privilege of the host. In general, it is customary to accept invitations for lunch or dinner and arrive on time. It is desirable to bring souvenirs or sweets for the host’s children when visiting. As a rule, only men are welcomed by hand. Women and those sitting far away are greeted by placing the right hand on the heart and accompanying this gesture with a slight tilt of the head. Traditionally, during a handshake, they are interested in health, the state of affairs at work and at home. At the entrance to the house, the shoes are taken off. There is a need to take a seat, which is indicated by the host. And the further away from the entrance, the more honourable it is.
The customs and habits of the Uzbek people have developed over the centuries as a result of an extensive process of merging the cultural skills and traditions of all tribes and nationalities involved in the creation of the Uzbek ethnic origin. They are very unique, lively and diverse. A large number of customs accompany family life and are connected with the birth and upbringing of children and weddings.
The traditional forms of society in Uzbekistan are mainly the Mahallah, a neighbourhood community, Djura men’s associations and craftsmen’s workshops. The Uzbek Mahallah has a millennia-old history and is the centre of family, domestic and religious customs and festivals. The customs of their lives are carefully preserved here and passed on from generation to generation. The old custom of mutual assistance, Hashar, has also been preserved. With Hashar, relatives are helped to build a house, to beautify their neighbourhood, street and town. In independent Uzbekistan, the Mahallah has become the guardian of the traditions of Culture of Uzbekistan and the morals of the Uzbek people and a legally recognised mechanism of self-government for the citizens.