Uzbek
Member of the majority ethnic group (almost 70%) living in Uzbekistan. Minorities live in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan and include Turkomen, Tatars, Armenians, Kazakhs, and Kirghiz. There are 10–14 million speakers of the Uzbek language, which belongs to the Turkic branch of the Altaic family. Uzbeks are predominantly Sunni Muslims but retain aspects of shamanism.
History
Uzbeks were part of the 13th-century
Golden Horde and are named after Uzbek, a descendant of
Genghis Khan. They appeared in Transoxania in the 15th century. In the 16th century they founded the kingdoms of Bukhara and Khiva. Collectivization of the land was introduced under the Soviet government of the 1930s, though some groups in northern Afghanistan remained partly nomadic, and many farms remained outside the state system.
Culture Although the majority of Uzbeks follow a sedentary life and are traders and artisans, some have remained pastoral nomads. These live in felt-covered tents (yurts) and herd sheep and goats, especially in more mountainous regions. Traditional dress includes baggy trousers and a long cotton shirt, and embroidered turban caps for men and veils for women. The Uzbeks also make use of donkeys. Traditionally the Uzbeks play buzkashi, a fast game played on horseback, involving the use of a calf's carcass; it is still played in northern Afghanistan. |
