A guest in an Uzbek home

It is not necessary to plan ahead. In so called, the old part of any Uzbek city you will see a shady street concealed by vineyards. Knock at any door and you will be welcomed as special guests, handing you fresh grapes cut from the vine and fragrant tea to drink. If you have time they will cook a delicious Uzbek pilov especially for you. Locals will not allow you to leave until you have tasted this famous rice dish.

All towns in Uzbekistan have "makhallyas" once you turn off the main road. Here one can enjoy peace and quiet - there are flowers and trees along the roadside which are looked after by the people in the neighbourhood. Old men sit outside their gates watching life go by, every morning young girls sweep the pavement outside their house, noisy, laughing children play endlessly and women exchange curious stories. There is a special trait that is characteristic of all makhallyas - a respectful attitude to the older people of the neighbourhood.

The climate of Uzbekistan makes it possible for people to spend almost 8 months of the year outdoors where meals are eaten, and some even sleep outside on the trestle-bed in the open air on summer's - much more comfortable than inside. The silence and cool comfort of the outdoors is complemented by the modest singing of female quails in cages hanging in the windows or from the beams of the verandah.

The two most outstanding characteristics of an Uzbek family are hospitality and respect to elders. Usually Uzbeks have large families consisting of several generations which is why they prefer large houses with lots of land. The tea ceremony is an important element of Uzbek hospitality. Brewing tea and pouring it into pialas (cups) for guests is the privilege of the host.

If a dinner invitation is accepted, it is important to come on time. It is advisable for guests to take a small gifts or sweets with them for the host's children. When greeting, only men usually shake hands - women, or people sitting far away can greet by putting their right hand to their heart and bowing their head slightly. When greeting, it is important to inquire about the person's health, home family affairs and work. Shoes are taken off at the entrance of the house. The host will show the guest where to sit, the further it is from the entrance the more respected the position is.

Uzbek national dishes are very high in calories. Suzma and fresh vegetables are always served with all meat dishes. Any meal starts and ends with tea drinking. The meal will start with eastern sweets, then pilov or manti, with sweets, baked deserts fruit at the end. The hosts will lay the tablecloth on the trestle-bed for those who are prepared to sit cross-legged all evening - this is the way it is done in the East.

Listen! The hosts have prepared a surprise - musicians have come, there will be a concert! The doyra-player warms up his instrument in order to obtain a cleaner and clearer sound. A changh, an ancient Uzbek musical instrument is placed nearby. As the music begins to flow, it pure, fascinating sounds waft through the atmosphere. The lyric melody gives place to fast, passionate rhythms as the doyra plays and the dancing-girl, dressed in bright national silk, appears. The Uzbek school of dancing is famous all over the world. The colourful outfits and excellent routines are an endless fascination as you begin moving with the rhythm of the musicians and the movements of the dancer's hands.

Well, the hostess puts large plates of pilov on the table. This appetizing dish is not only the main course on any Uzbek menu, but an entire legend as well. Your guide will certainly tell you about the intricacies of preparing pilov, different kinds of pilov and its ancient origin. The is bound to add raisins, dried sour barberries, chick-peas, cumin and in autumn, quince. Everything that is put into a pilov is especially for you, the guest of the house! As the Uzbek proverb says: "A guest in the house is joy in the house!".

All Tourist Gems of Uzbekistan