Tajikistan - Uzbekistan - Shashmaqom music

Tajikistan - Oshi Palav, a traditional meal and its social and cultural contexts in Tajikistan

Oshi palav (pilaf) is a traditional dish of communities in Tajikistan recognized as a part of their cultural heritage. Otherwise known as the ‘King of meals’, it is based on a recipe using vegetables, rice, meat and spices but up to 200 varieties of the dish exist. Considered an inclusive practice that aims to bring people of different backgrounds together, oshi palav is prepared to be enjoyed at regular mealtimes, as well as social gatherings, celebrations and rituals. The importance of the dish to communities in Tajikistan is indicative in sayings such as “No Osh, no acquaintance” or “If you have eaten Osh from somebody, you must respect them for 40 years”. Groups of men or women prepare the dish either in their homes or at teahouses while socalizing or playing music and singing. Knowledge and skills associated with the practice is transmitted on an intergenerational basis in families, in addition to cooking schools from master to apprentice. Once an apprentice masters oshi palav, the apprentice hosts a dinner for the trainer and guests during which the trainer receives a skull-cap and traditional dress while the apprentice receives a skimmer (a tool for cooking oshi palav) symbolizing the apprentice’s independence.

Tajikistan - Falak

Falak, meaning ‘heaven’, ‘fortune’ and ‘universe’, is the traditional folklore music of the mountain people of Tajikistan. The expressive and philosophical musical genre may be performed by a male or female soloist, either acappella, or with a single instrumental accompaniment or an ensemble and dancers. Characterized by their high range, falak songs most often relate to love, pain, suffering, the homeland, and separation and the hope of reunion between a parent and a child or between two lovers. The instruments used for falak performances include traditional Tajikistani percussion and string instruments, such as violins and flutes. Falak performers, known as falakkhons, are the traditional singers and instrumentalists who perform falak during festivities, ceremonies and ritual events. However, the music may be performed in many contexts, including outdoors while working in the fields or looking after herds in the mountains, or during feasts and social gatherings. It is also performed during the annual ‘Day of Falak’ festival. Falak is viewed as a state of mind and an identity marker for the mountain communities. The tradition is passed from one generation to the next within families and through formal education.