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Juraev Firuz Birth: 1997 06 05

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE MENTALITY OF UZBEK PEOPLE?
Since Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, in the middle of Great Silk Road, its traditions and customs are heavily influenced by different cultures. It is generally accepted that most of traditions and mentality have taken shape as a result of interaction of ancient Zoroastrian rituals and traditions of nomadic people, though great impact of Islamic traditions and rites are also undeniable. For foreigners and travelers many Uzbek traditions and customs might seem odd and sometimes quite extraordinary. To understand Uzbek traditions and customs one should be aware of some basic facts about their mentality which is very unique and exotic in its own way. For example, Uzbek weddings are extremely pompous and hence, very expensive. Presence of five hundred or more guests in a single wedding party is a typical phenomenon. Each guest is treated with special attention, offered many courses of delicious food, drinks and entertainment. In addition some guests are treated with gifts and presents from the host. All of them cost too much and an ordinary Uzbek works hard for many years to afford himself such magnificent party. Foreigners might get surprised by such strange way of thinking, but it has its serious reasons and arguments. Firstly, Uzbeks are extremely hospitable people and hospitality is a must in terms of life standards and morality. In old times, when people lived as nomadic tribes, hospitality was a matter of survival and death in many circumstances. On setting out on a journey across the vast dry terrains of Asia, a traveler often found himself in a hostile environment of nature. But what consoled him was the hope that in the nearest settlement he would be provided with food and shelter. So, there formed the important and deeply rooted life standard – not to give a bad reception to anyone who was travelling across their land. If you do that, the next time you would die yourself from another person’s bad reception. People would be proud with that they had received many guests, both friends and strangers. So it is not surprising today that a regular Uzbek often boasts that he had five hundred guests in his son’s wedding party, had slaughtered dozens of animals and so on. Another reason for large wedding parties is a feeling of debt: you enjoyed other people’s lavishly organized parties, so please pay back the same way. Another important aspect of Uzbek mentality is immensely strong feeling of self-devotedness to the family. Family is one of the central notions in their lives. Uzbek families are usually quite large with many generations under one roof. In such families respect towards the elderly is crucially important. While eating the eldest people start first, they speak their opinion first and they enter the house first, etc. When children get married, the parents usually provide them with everything they need, a house, furniture and even the clothes for the whole year. All this is not cheap of course, but parents never care about themselves while their children stepping into their own independent life. This is an important and unique aspect of Uzbek character. Uzbeks cannot imagine their lives without children and their children in turn idolize their parents, respect and love them, and take care of them to the very end of their lives. It can be compared with self-sacrifice of Japanese samurai for example, but samurai sacrifices himself only for his lord, while Uzbeks sacrifice themselves for many people – their family, their mahalla (local community) and for the entire nation and country.By the way, community, so called “mahalla”, plays crucial role in the life of Uzbeks. It has also its own history of origin. Initially, it was a kind of trade union of artisans and craftsmen. In old days the artisans of different kinds worked and lived in the same place. Still you can hear old street and place names such as “zargaron” (the jewelers), “ohangaron” (the blacksmith). Later people began to do different businesses but continued to live under the umbrella of mahalla. Mahalla is managed by mahalla committee elected at common meeting of residents. It is an exquisite example of unified amicable community. It plays a wide range of roles from supervisory and educative ones to organizing joint activities. Before saying and doing something people reconsider their actions from the perspective of mahalla members. It is shame for Uzbeks to be disgraced among their community. Thus, mahalla upholds precious human values and social obligations. That is why Uzbek girl reconsiders her appearance and garments before she steps out to the street in order not to seem odd to the neighbors, especially, the elderly.Earlier we talked about pompous weddings. One important reason for such great parties is love and respect to the community. Someone who didn’t care about people’s opinion wouldn’t bother himself to spend so much money for a single day of wedding. But respect to community’s opinion provokes them to do their best for people living around them.All in all, the Uzbek community is something like the beehive: each individual’s life depends on the whole community. People live, work and struggle not for themselves alone, but for their families, communities and for the entire nation.