Childbirth in Uzbekistan

The birth of a child is usually accompanied by “Aqiqah”, the Islamic tradition of slaughtering an animal on such an occasion. Based on the means of the family, one sheep is slaughtered during the birth of a girl and two upon the birth of a boy. After 9, 10, or 11 days of the birth of the boy, the child is placed in the Beshik (cradle), and after 21 or 40 days (Chilla – 40 days after the birth), the “Beshik Tuyi” ("cradle celebration") takes place.[1] If the first child is a girl, it is believed that seven generations of her family will live in prosperity and a “Beshik Tuyi” is held after 7 days following the birth. When the child begins to walk by itself, the ceremony of “Oyek turi” is held. In the Bausun, Sherabad, Altynsay, Denau, and Sariasiya regions, this rite is called “Tushov Kesdi”. A date is fixed and the child is dressed in new clothes. A thin thread (“Toshov”) of cotton yarn is tied to the child's feet, without impeding the child's movement. In the presence of the guests, the child begins to walk and, with the words “tushov kesildi, tushov kesildi,” the thread is cut with scissors by an elders. The baby is showered with coins, sweets, and what is called “sachala”- “sochki”.[2]

A traditional rite of sunnat (khatna) tuyi[note 1] is carried out when a child is in an odd number of years; i.e., when 3, 5, 7 years of age, and in some cases when the child is older.[1][note 2]

Depending on the capabilities, kurash and kupkari with the prizes were held on the Sunnat tuys. A close relatives ascended to the roof of the house and showered the boy with money and sweets from there. There were songs, melodies, epics, the men sang “Heyr”, women- “Lo-o-lo”.

In some villages in Northern Surkhan, “Utin yigar” (collecting some wood for housekeeping) events are carried before the rite in which the boys divide into groups and go to the mountains and gather wood. Then, the one who gets the most firewood is awarded the prize. Men responsible for the activity are assigned close friends and relatives for various services. In order to make the event successful and to honor the memory of ancestors, they read “Khatmi Kuran” first.

Uzbek people have a saying: “Tuyga tuyona bilan”, meaning to come to the wedding with a gift. Wedding expenses are generally significant and the tuyona (wedding gift) is the material support from the friends and relatives.