News WOSCU
"Golden Eyebrows" of the Fergana Valley
Women's forehead ornaments of the Fergana Valley and Tashkent are a vivid example of the traditional art and culture of this region. However, the tillya-kosh, or "golden eyebrows," is a special detail:
Charmduzy are masters of all trades from Samarkand and Bukhara
The Charmduzy, leather craftsmen of Central Asia, were renowned for their artistry and skill, creating unique items in front of their clients. In the bustling bazaars of Samarkand and Bukhara, they transformed ordinary pieces of leather into true works of art. Here’s how they did it:
How the headdress was used to determine the status of women in Bukhara?
The telpak and kaltapushak are not only beautiful but also symbolic elements of women's wardrobe in the late 19th century. These headpieces can be used to determine the wealth of urban women in Bukhara. Here’s how:
How Uzbekistan Changed the Life of a Japanese Artist Who Survived the Atomic Bombing
Renowned Japanese artist Hirayama Ikuo survived the atomic bombing in 1945. In 1959, he learns that he is terminally ill with leukemia. At that time, he creates a painting dedicated to the origins of Buddhist teachings, titled 'The Origin of Buddhism,' inspired by the journey of the Chinese monk Xuanzang along the Silk Road in the 7th century. The artist believes that this work might be the last of his life... What happened next? Read here:
How does the magic of suzani work?
Suzani is the main type of wedding embroidery that originally served as a cover for the newlyweds' bed. By the end of the 19th century, suzani covers began to be used as wall hangings as well. However, this beautiful textile product has always held a magical significance for the people of Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan. What is that significance? Let’s explore here.
Humor in the Miniatures of Medieval Bukhara
In the work of the great writer Saadi, "Gulistan," there are many vivid and instructive stories and parables. This left ample room for creativity for the artists who adorned copies of this remarkable work with their miniatures. Despite the humility that the author advocates in his writings, one Bukhara artist from the 16th century infused the manuscript with a touch of humor. Here’s what we find:
The first painting by an artist from Uzbekistan in the Tretyakov Gallery
It is no secret that the famous Turkestan series of paintings by the battle painter Vasily Vereshchagin was acquired by the Tretyakov Gallery as early as 1874. However, what is the painting, by which artist who lived and worked in Uzbekistan, and when did it first appear in the Tretyakov Gallery? Here’s what we find out:
How much money did Emir Bukharsky invest in the construction of the mosque in St. Petersburg?
Emir of Bukhara Said Abdulkhalid Khan always paid special attention to the affairs of Islam. He heard the pleas for help from the Muslims of St. Petersburg, who had been unable to obtain permission to build a Cathedral Mosque in the city for over a hundred years. In 1907, Abdulkhalid Khan resolved this issue by purchasing a plot of land in the city center for 500,000 rubles. How much is that in modern terms? Let's break it down:
What secrets does "Indian Bukhara" hold?
In the northern part of India, where several centuries ago one of the grandsons of Amir Timur, Zahiruddin Babur, founded the state of the Great Mughals, lies the city of Rampur, which is referred to as "Indian Bukhara" due to its proximity to the capital of the Baburid dynasty, Agra, as well as its rich cultural heritage. It is here, in the once heart of the Great Mughal Empire, that one of the greatest repositories of knowledge and artifacts in the world is located.
"Mirajnama" at the Court of Louis XIV
The National Library of France has a rich history, beginning with its establishment as the royal library. An important milestone in its development was the accumulation of manuscripts from Central Asia, which contributed to the expansion of knowledge about Eastern culture and literature. One of the key acquisitions was the famous manuscript "Mirajnama," which arrived in Paris in the 17th century. Read here about how this ancient manuscript came into the hands of the Musketeers’ ruler, Louis XIV.
Did Prokudin-Gorsky work as a tax collector in Turkestan?
Pioneer of color photography in the Russian Empire, author of hundreds of photographs of Turkestan and the famous photograph of the Emir of Bukhara, Prokudin-Gorsky made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of both Uzbekistan and the world. His works are stored in the Library of Congress in the USA, and exhibitions are held worldwide. But was photography his primary occupation, or were the photographs merely a hobby while he earned his living as a tax collector in Turkestan, a role often despised in the regions of the Russian Empire? Let's explore this here.
Eastern Renaissance - the flow of time
Eastern Renaissance... Three golden ages of scientists, whose discoveries still influence our lives today. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, art - hundreds, if not thousands of the greatest minds of the East, who created on the territory of Uzbekistan, whose achievements we still use, and the names of Beruni, Avicenna or Al-Khwarizmi are essentially household words. In the new WOSCU video.
The gravestone as a memory of the "holder of fatwas" Al-Bukhari.
The gravestone found in the village of Butakara is an important historical artifact, dating back to the year 1323. It features an inscription that tells about Sayyid Hasan ibn Mahmud ibn Muhammad al-Bukhari. He is described as an outstanding imam, scholar, and ascetic who made significant contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and was known for his ability to differentiate and classify various currents within Islam.
Ceramics Tell the Story of Sogdian Life
In the 7th–8th centuries, Sogd experienced significant changes in its political and social structure, which is reflected in its material culture, especially ceramics. Unlike the earlier period (5th–7th centuries), which is primarily represented by ceramic complexes from excavations, data from the later period allows for a more detailed tracing of the evolution of artistic and craft traditions.
How the golden robe of Khudayar Khan ended up in Florence?
The Stibbert Museum is one of the most interesting and remarkable places in Florence. The museum's founder left the city an extraordinary collection of weapons, as well as artifacts of European, Islamic, and Far Eastern art and daily life. Among its exhibits are unique robes gifted to one of the museum's benefactors by Khudayar Khan himself.
Suzani, bringing happiness to collectors in the USA
Unique suzanis from the Bukhara Emirate of the 18th century, featuring large medallions and inscriptions by Karman (Kermine), evoke a sense of happiness in the hearts of Bruce and Olive Baganz, who cherish them in their collection in the USA.
The Vatican Library is planning to engage WOSCU in the study of its archives
The Prefect (General Director) of the Vatican Apostolic Library, Mauro Mantovani, has not ruled out the possibility of close collaboration with WOSCU and the involvement of orientalists from the World Society in studying the archives of one of the unique libraries in the world.
Scientists have proposed that the Center for Islamic Civilization (CIC) and WOSCU study the "contract of Muhammad with the jinn" and the robe of the Quran.
During the VIII Congress of WOSCU, dedicated to the activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization, Deputy Director for Research at the State Museum of the History of Religion, Ekaterina Teryukova, presented a report on a collaborative research project titled "Religious and Domestic Cult Objects from Uzbekistan in the Collection of the Museum of the History of Religion: History, Attribution, Restoration," in collaboration with museum researcher Irina Osmanova.
The Goddess Anahit from Old Termez
The first survey of the territory of a large settlement located near modern Termez was conducted in the 1920s. Among the finds was a figurine of the Zoroastrian goddess Anahit.
How a Czech surveyor created a numismatic collection in the Tashkent history museum
The history of the acquisition of a numismatic collection in the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan begins with the personal fate of World War I participant Bedrich Augst, a Czech by nationality and a surveyor by profession.
Khatifi - Author of Bestsellers from the Timurid Era
Khatifi holds an important place in the history of Eastern literature, particularly due to his epic works. His poem "Temurnama" not only glorifies Timur but also reflects the spirit of the time when art and culture were under the patronage of powerful rulers.
Karakalpak jewelry in the collection of the Russian Ethnographic Museum
Karakalpak jewelry, presented in the Russian Ethnographic Museum, reflects the rich cultural tradition and artistic mastery of this people. Among them, various types of women's pectoral jewelry, earrings, rings and bracelets stand out, each of which carries unique symbolism and meaning.
What the Minaret of the Andijan Mosque Tells Us
The Andijan Mosque complex, built in the 19th century, is a significant architectural and historical monument of the region. An important part of this complex is the minaret, adorned with inscriptions.
Alexander the Great and the Riddle of the Cup of Jamshid
The miniature "Seven Sages," dated around 1590, serves as an intriguing example of the interaction between various cultures and traditions in the art of that time. It likely depicts Iskandar (Alexander the Great) surrounded by seven philosophers, who may symbolize the wisdom and knowledge of different peoples studying the Cup of Jamshid.
Uzbek and Turkmen Carpets: Unification of Cultures
The presentation by ethnographer Adjap Bairyeva from Turkmenistan, based on the research of art historian Elmira Gul from Uzbekistan, delivered during the VIII Congress of WOSCU, represents an important contribution to the study of carpet traditions in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The comparison of the carpet-making traditions of these two peoples, especially in the context of cultural dialogue, allows for a deeper understanding of mutual influence and the development of applied arts in the region of the Middle Amu Darya.
Memory of proto-cities in the collection of the Samarkand Museum
The earliest form of urban culture are proto-cities as precursors of the first state formations, including Jarkutan and Sapallitepa, the emergence of which researchers attribute to the second millennium BC. This period of the culture of Uzbekistan is widely represented in the Samarkand State Museum by ceramics, bronze, stone and bone items.
Ruidjo - the mystery of family happiness
Ruidjo is not just an element of textile, but a symbol of tradition and culture, which plays an important role in the life of newlyweds. An embroidered sheet, sewn from four strips of cotton fabric, is a work of art in which every detail matters.
Chinese monk inspired Japanese to study Central Asia
In the 7th century, the Chinese monk Xuanzang traveled through Central Asia to India in search of Buddhist sutras, writing about it in his travel notes “Journey to the Western Region.” Hundreds of years later, it was this work that inspired Japanese explorers in the 19th and 20th centuries to study the region.
The National Library of Uzbekistan - a journey of one and a half centuries
For more than 150 years of its existence, the National Library of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi has gone through an amazing and difficult path of development, associated with the search and study of unique manuscripts, authorship of outstanding personalities of different eras. In this video, we will be introduced to the history of the remarkable library and its impressive collection.
How did costume influence Tamara Khanum’s career?
Tamara Khanum, a famous Uzbek actress and dancer, left a bright mark in the history of Uzbek art. Her concert costume, kept in the State Historical Museum, is not only an element of her stage image, but also a symbol of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
Mount Mug reveals the secrets of the ancient Sogdians
Documents from Mount Mug represent a unique source of information about the complex and dynamic history of the Central Asian Mesopotamia in the early Middle Ages, especially in the context of the struggle against the Arab conquest. These finds, consisting of 76 documents, mostly of Sogdian origin, provide insight into the social, economic and cultural aspects of life in the region during this period.
Frederick Starr: "We know very little about Khorezm
Frederick Starr, founder and chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) at the US Foreign Policy Council and WOSCU member, spoke about ancient Khorezm, the contribution to science of Al-Khwarizmi and Abu Rayhan Beruni, and the region’s boundless tourism potential in his report at the VIII Congress of the World Society.
Who did the ancient Khorezmians hunt five thousand years ago?
During the New Stone Age, the Southern Aral Sea region became home to the Kelteminar culture, where hunters and fishermen actively developed this region from the 4th–3rd millennia BC. Finds made at lost sites in the sands of the inner regions of the Amu Darya indicate a developed water system that existed here in ancient times.
Kova is an ancient center of Buddhist culture
Archaeological excavations on the outskirts of the city of Kuva have uncovered the remains of a Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. This discovery proves that Kuva became an important center of religious life in its time.
Handwritten monuments of Turkish history in Tashkent's Beruni Institute
The history of Turkey in the collection of the Abu Rayhan Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies is represented by six manuscripts, including "Tarikh" ("History") and "Misbah al-sari wa nuzhat al-kari" ("Lamp for the Traveler and Consolation for the Reader"). These works present important milestones in the history of the Ottoman Empire.
"Chinatown" at the court of Ulugbek
The Chinnikhana Pavilion under Ulugbek became a symbol of cultural exchange, with the tile decorations replicating the style of Chinese porcelain of the Ming Dynasty. This demonstrated the high level of skill of local artists and their ability to adapt foreign influences into their works.