What is the difference between a Tajik and an Uzbek: external differences, features of customs and traditions

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

East is a delicate matter - many of you have probably heard this phrase. Indeed, the Eastern peoples are distinguished by their special temperament, customs, traditions, and way of life in general. In the East, their own special laws reign, sometimes incomprehensible to a European person of Western thinking. Often we are not only unable to understand the intricacies of the Eastern mentality, but we also cannot distinguish between representatives of different Asian nationalities. And now, in the era of total globalization, the migration of people to other countries, each nation needs to appreciate its identity, national characteristics. Many representatives (especially for a few peoples) of a certain nationality try to defend their uniqueness. How can you not insult a person of another nation, if you can’t even define this nation, you can’t distinguish him from a personanother ethnic group?

Due to the fact that many people come to Russia from Central Asia to work, it will be especially useful for us to know how the Tajik differs from the Uzbek, because it is the representatives of these nationalities who most often find themselves in our country.

What do Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have in common

In order to proceed to the description of how a Tajik differs from an Uzbek, it is worth saying a few words about these two eastern countries, by the way, bordering each other. Both of these states are located in Central Asia and, by the way, were part of the USSR until 1991.

Undoubtedly, due to the geographical proximity, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have much in common both in natural conditions and in history: a hot dry climate, similar soil relief (mainly mountains and steppes), moreover, in the ninth In the tenth centuries, both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were part of the same ancient state of Sogdiana. This determined the fact that the differences between Tajiks and Uzbeks - in traditions, in mentality, even in appearance - are not visible at first sight. Needless to say, even the population of these countries is heterogeneous: it is Tajiks who live in Uzbekistan in second place in terms of the number of people after Uzbeks.

Thus, the vast majority of the population of both states profess Islam, many national traditions (for example, celebrating a wedding) have something in common with each other, in both cuisines there are similar dishes (remember the same pilaf).

And how do they differ? General information

But since we are talking about how the Tajik is differentfrom the Uzbek, let's talk about the differences in the native countries of these eastern peoples. First, Tajikistan is much smaller than Uzbekistan in terms of area and population. Secondly, different languages are spoken in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (no, both Tajik and Uzbek are common in both states, but Uzbek is recognized as the state language in Uzbekistan, and Tajik in Tajikistan, respectively). By the way, these languages are completely different from each other, they are not even related: if Uzbek belongs to the Turkic languages, then Tajik is the language of the Iranian language group.

The capital of Uzbekistan is the ancient city of Tashkent, and Samarkand, Namangan, Bukhara are also large and popular cities of this country. In Tajikistan, Dushanbe is recognized as the main city of the state, and Khunzhand and Bokhtar are also the largest administrative and cultural centers. The monetary unit of Uzbekistan is the sum, while in Tajikistan the somoni is paid.

Tajik and Uzbek - external differences

The first thing we distinguish one nation from another is, of course, external signs. How do Tajiks differ from Uzbeks in appearance? Let's start with the definition of the race of both peoples. Anthropology classifies the Tajiks as a Caucasoid race, peoples of Iranian origin, but the Uzbeks are a transitional nationality: the DNA of the Uzbeks contains genes of both representatives of the Mongoloid race and Caucasoid. Based only on this information, it is already possible to assume how the Tajik differs from the Uzbek - this is both the shape of the eyes andskin color, and general body structure. So we are dealing with two completely different peoples, even if they live in the neighborhood.

Description of the appearance of a Tajik

The average Tajik has a typical appearance of the Iranian type: medium height (for men it is about 170-180 centimeters), dark hair, black (although there are also blue-eyed representatives of this nationality) almond-shaped eyes, often large, wide-set. Tajiks are distinguished by abundant facial and body hair: even in Tajik girls, you can easily notice a charming fluff above the upper lip.

Description of appearance of Uzbeks

Uzbeks are a short nation, like all representatives of the Mongoloid race. The skin is swarthy, with a yellowish tint; the eyes are dark, most often brown, have a rather narrow incision; Uzbek hair is dark, coarse and straight (as opposed to the slightly curly locks of Tajiks).

Love for national costumes

It is clear that in the modern world, almost every nation has the opportunity to use the latest technological achievements, buy the same goods, follow world fashion trends. In this regard, many nations become similar, lose their individuality. Many, but not Uzbeks and Tajiks. Both peoples are very fond of dressing according to tradition, if not in the national costume in its original form, then at least using the details and motifs of the national attire, stylizing their owneveryday clothes. So, the tradition of dressing authentically and distinctively is what the Tajik differs from the Uzbek to a lesser extent. However, the national costumes themselves have their own characteristics and distinctive features.

National Uzbek costume

The main element of both men's and women's wardrobe in Uzbekistan is considered to be a bathrobe. It can be warm or light, simple or festive, but it is always embroidered with a special pattern that has a symbolic meaning: some patterns serve as a talisman of the owner, others speak of his status. Another obligatory item of clothing is a headdress - a traditional skullcap, also richly decorated, or a turban (turban), women also cover their heads with a scarf or wear a veil. Also, Uzbek girls wear spacious dresses and trousers (by the way, the Tajik national women's costume also combines a dress and pants). Men's trousers are called ishton - they are spacious, narrowed down. A men's Uzbek shirt - kuylak - is put on under the robe. Indispensable for a man will be kiyikcha, that is, a similarity of our belt, which girds a robe. Shoes that in Uzbekistan, that in Tajikistan are made of thin leather, in such boots it is not hot in summer and not cold in winter.

National Tajik costume

How to distinguish an Uzbek from a Tajik outwardly, if not by the costume. But here some difficulties arise. Due to the commonality of traditions, history, religion, as well as climatic conditions, the costumes of Tajiks and Uzbeks differ slightly. The difference will be in patterns, ornaments, in the way of tying a scarf or belt (a male Tajik, for example, can use his kiyikcha as a pocket). Also a feature of the Tajik costume are wedges of multi-colored fabric sewn into the sleeves of a women's shirt as a talisman that ensures fertility. Tajik women are very fond of all kinds of jewelry: ringing bracelets, massive necklaces, earrings shimmering in the light.

As we can see, there is indeed a lot in common between Tajiks and Uzbeks, but these two peoples still cannot be confused, because each of them has its own characteristic features, special traditions, and original customs.