Since ancient times, where the territory of Tajikistan is now located, lived one of the most ancient peoples of the world, who are now universally called Tajiks. However, despite such a long history of this people, now a very small number of people not only in the world, but also in Russia perceive the ancient history and culture of the Tajik people. In particular, this happened due to the huge number of labor migrants who came to earn money. It was they who removed that aura of mystery from the ancient people. This article will reveal the picture of the origin of the Tajik people, as well as its formation to the present day.

Neolithic era

In 1980, excavations were carried out on the territory of the Kulyab region. They were the ones who gave the world the knowledge that ancient history Tajiks begin in the Neolithic era, which was about 500 thousand years ago. At that time, some of the first people lived in this area primitive people. Gradually they began to populate the highlands, including here unique rock paintings from the early Neolithic were found - more often the images show fragments of hunting, since people in these places were mainly wandering hunters.

However, in addition to the hunters themselves, tribes that belong to the Gissar culture also lived on the territory of modern Tajikistan. Their main activity was cattle breeding, although they did not disdain agriculture. During the Bronze Age they left numerous evidence of their existence, leaving sites of pottery, metallurgical and mining activities in the north of the country.

In the south, the history of the Tajik people is connected with agriculture and production beautiful works ceramic art.

Bactria and Sogd

It was precisely two tribes - the Bactrians and the Sogdians - that over time turned into citizens of Tajikistan who exist in this moment. Their history begins in the 1st millennium BC, when two large states with a slave-owning form of government were formed. They were called Bactria and Sogd. However, the cities themselves were quite weak, and therefore could not resist the invasion of one people - the Persians, under the leadership of the great conquering king Cyrus, completely subjugated this people. So Tajikistan entered the huge Persian empire, which subjugated vast territories.

However, even great people The Persians were unable to hold it for long. The greatest conqueror of all time, Alexander the Great, was born in the next century. The Macedonian king simply crushed the majestic Persian empire, and therefore the territory where the Tajik people lived became part of his kingdom. After his death, it passed to his heirs - the Seleucids.

Tocharians

Alexander's heirs, unfortunately, did not possess his military genius, and therefore they simply could not fully retain his empire. The king's generals tore it apart piece by piece. The Greco-Bactrian kingdom was also separated. However, the power of the Macedonians was completely removed from the state after the people of the country themselves rebelled against the conquerors. The Tokharian tribe had a significant influence here, who not only had a huge influence on the culture of the Tajik people, but also on their political life. Over time, the Tocharians so organically merged with the ordinary people that they became an essential part of the Tajik nation that had begun the process of its formation. The new state changed its name - instead of Bactria it began to be called Tokharistan. This happened already in the 4th century AD, so the development process took quite a long time.

Kushan Empire

In the 4th century, most of Asia, which includes modern-day Tajikistan, Afghanistan and northern India, belonged to a huge empire ruled by the Kushana dynasty. The full development of the history of the Tajik people can begin from this period. It was then that the true flourishing of the economy and culture for this country began. Several cultural and historical monuments of that period have survived to this day, which fully reflect the amazing fusion of Hellenistic, Indian and Central Asian art. However, even in this form, this people could not remain under one rule for long - the period of steppe nomadic tribes began. Already in the 6th century, the territory of the country was under the rule of the Turkic Khaganate.

Arab Caliphate

Gradually, in the 5th-6th centuries, the history of the Tajik people began to move into the area of ​​feudalization. The period itself feudal relations lasted almost until the end of the 19th century, although it was constantly modified. The greatest economic boom began just before the Arab conquests, which caused great stratification between social groups. In addition, the development of culture began. Penjikent can safely be called one of the examples of the culture of the early Middle Ages that exist in Central Asia - its frescoes, as well as buildings, speak of an unprecedentedly high cultural level, as well as the presence of great achievements in the field of architecture and art.

However, the country simply could not survive on its own. Although the people showed significant resistance to Arab expansion, Tajikistan eventually became part of the Arab Caliphate. The conquerors, constantly fighting the rebellious people, practically destroyed their culture and cities, and also imposed huge taxes.

Samanids

The process of completing the formation of the Tajik people ended while Tajikistan was part of the Samanid state. It was during this period that two cities began to take first place - Samarkand and Bukhara, which became famous as the greatest centers of culture and science. An important role for the history of the Tajik people was played by the fact that the Western Iranian Tajik became dominant, displacing all others. This made it possible to actively develop Tajik history, culture and art. Unfortunately, this led to the fact that the people living near the Pamirs took a slightly different path, since they were geographically quite isolated. Here, their own ethnic formations with a distinctive culture began to take shape.

The first of the rulers

It was Samani who can be considered the greatest emir of the Samanid dynasty, because he became the founder of the state. Although most of his history lies in the territory of modern Uzbekistan, he is highly revered in Tajikistan. In addition to numerous monuments, the Tajiks themselves recognize him as their first ruler. At the moment, a banknote with his image of 100 somoni is in use. In 1999, the country celebrated the 1100th anniversary of the Samanid state, where an architectural ensemble was erected in honor of Ismail Samani.

Period of conquest

Over the next few centuries, the territory of modern Tajikistan passed from one state to another, it was constantly conquered. All this did not allow Tajikistan to establish itself on the world map and become an independent country. And in the 13th century, in addition, the invasion of the troops of the commander Genghis Khan began. Despite the fact that there was strong resistance against him, the conqueror was able to subjugate Central Asia, but this was accompanied by blood and destruction. After this, the country became part of the Chagatai ulus of the vast Mongol empire.

For the Tajik people, an important event occurred during the period of conquest. Turks and Mongols began to penetrate their ethnic group, which led to the fact that Turkization began to occur in the lowland peoples, which to a lesser extent penetrated into the mountain tribes and cities.

Khanate period

After the death of Genghis Khan, transfers began again, but only between khanates. In the 14th century, it became part of the state of Timur, and later his heirs. During this period there was a development of science and art, in particular astronomy and literature. However, after two centuries they came under the protection of the Uzbek khans, who constantly formed new khanates. Basically, the Tajiks were divided between the Bukhara and Kokand khanates. But this does not mean at all that the people began to live in peace - the political situation itself was constantly under martial law. External and internal wars for power led to the decline of agriculture, exploitation of people and destruction. During this period, feudal dependence simply flourished - due to huge taxes, the people were in constant debt to their feudal lord, and therefore had to perform forced labor. Culture, art, artistic Tajik speech and language - everything was in unprecedented decline.

Joining Russia

A new round of development of the people began only in 1868. Constantly in need of new markets, the Russian Empire, fighting with England, accelerated the annexation of Central Asia. Almost the entire emirate became part of the Turkestan General Government, which automatically deprived itself of the opportunity to conduct independent trade and diplomatic relations with other countries. became a vassal territory of Russia, and later it was annexed Northern part modern Tajikistan in 1976. Gradually, a border was drawn between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, which were divided between England and the Russian Empire.

It must be admitted that during this period the Tajiks were under double oppression, both by their rulers and Russian emperors. That is why there were a huge number of popular uprisings that tried to overthrow the exploiters. However, joining Russia also had its bright moments. First of all they stopped internecine wars, and capitalism gradually began to penetrate the country. Tajiks gradually became familiar with the Russian people, a mixture of Russian and Tajik words took place, and a working class began to form.

Red Revolution

After the overthrow of the empire in Russia, a period began civil war between red and white. The revolution came to Bukhara precisely with the Reds, and therefore already in 1920 the Bukhara People's Soviet Republic was formed. True, it existed for a relatively short time, and the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was created as part of the Uzbek SSR in 1924. Initially, it included 12 volosts, which captured Turkestan, the eastern part of Bukhara and part of the Pamirs. However, since the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was considered subordinate, the main political centers remained part of Uzbekistan. Only in 1929 did this republic get the opportunity to become independent and began to be governed according to the all-Union model. But at the same time, the traditions of numerous ethnic groups simply began to be ignored, which led to the loss of many cultural values. After this, until 1991, the country remained under the rule of the USSR, but also became completely independent of the Uzbek SSR.

Culture

Despite the fact that Tajikistan had Soviet period several prominent writers and scientists, none of them became as famous as Sadriddin Aini. It was this man who became the founder of Tajik Soviet literature, as well as a prominent public figure and scientist. In addition to compiling several books on the history of Central Asia, he helped create the Samarkand State University. It was Sadriddin Aini who had the honor of being called the first president of the Academy of Sciences of the Tajik SSR, as well as being among the deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. As you can see, he left his mark not only on the country’s culture, but also on its politics.

Collapse of the USSR

Tajikistan appeared on the world map as an independent state quite late. The first step towards gaining independence was the version of the declaration of the country's government, which was invented by the deputies, but at the same time formulated rather vaguely.

The second step in the struggle for independence was taken not by the government at all, but by the Rastokhez movement, which the members sent to the press for review. They wrote a different version of the declaration because they believed that they simply could not be satisfied with a government document that contained numerous ambiguities. In addition to the text itself, they also posted critical remarks. They proposed using the second version of the declaration itself as the basis for a new Constitution, and therefore the text was very large-scale and contained more than 20 points that related not only to independence, but also to the state structure and branches of power in the country.

It was one of the last republics to declare its sovereignty, since the declaration itself was adopted only on August 24, 1990. The final text contained excerpts from both documents.

Tajikistan became fully independent only on September 9, 1991, when the resolution “On State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan” was adopted. At the moment, it is customary to celebrate the Independence Day of the Republic of Tajikistan on September 9, which is considered an officially non-working day.

Civil War

The first year after the declaration of independence, it seemed that Tajikistan and its people were gaining momentum. Accession to the CIS and the UN confirms the fact that the country began to be accepted on the international stage, but the Civil War of 1992-1997 put an end to this. At its core, it became an intra-ethnic conflict that developed between supporters central government and the opposition, which united different groups. It is impossible not to recognize the fact that the start of the war was largely due to the clan worldview of the people themselves - the Tajiks, as well as their attitude towards religion. All this was superimposed on the difficult economic situation in the country. After everything was mixed, the explosion came - the Civil War. And the mass unrest in Dushanbe in 1990 only worsened the situation. The most fierce fighting occurred only in the first year after the start of the war - during this period the country was simply split into two parts, but it was only possible to stop it completely only in 1997 with the mediation of the United Nations.

Present day

Despite the fact that the Tajik SSR was recognized as one of the smallest and most undeveloped, the republic is now considered a completely independent state. Unfortunately, the country's territory is separated by mountains, which largely impedes international trade. However, despite this, Tajiks have a rich history, considering themselves descendants of the Persians, which generally does not contradict history, since the settlement of the country began precisely from the territory of Ancient Persia.

Tajiks are the dominant nation in the country, almost 85% of all residents belong to this ethnic group. In fact, the country, which was under the rule of other peoples for so long, is even now in the first stages of its development. The low degree of urbanization, constant problems with water supply and electricity, constant migration - all this significantly undermines the country. The indigenous population is practically unable to find work, which leads to young and healthy people leaving their region and going to work, often completely illegally. However, if we take into account the fact that the Republic of Tajikistan appeared on the political map only in 1991, then it has achieved very great success with a small amount of resources.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Tajik people trace their history back to ancient times, and therefore it is impossible to completely trace their movements. Answering the question of how many Tajiks currently live in the world, scientists call the minimum figure 20 million people, including among them the Iranian people who speak various dialects related to Perso-Tajik. They not only inhabit Tajikistan itself, but also a small part of Afghanistan. They have an independent culture, culinary traditions and many other attributes. At the moment, about half a million Tajiks live and work in Russia who are in the country illegally, although this figure is gradually decreasing.

But, despite the current political and migration situation, it is impossible not to recognize that this people has a distinct identity. Even though for many years it was subordinate to other states, it was constantly transferred from empire to empire, but the population survived, preserved cultural monuments and is rightfully considered one of the most ancient peoples in the world, tracing its history back to primitive tribes. Now the Tajiks are a numerous nationality, bright enough to attract attention, but not yet developed enough to take a significant place in politics and interstate trade.

Islam is recognized as the official religion in Tajikistan. However, Muslim believers are divided into different religious movements.

Basically, these are Sunnism and Shiism. This is how it happened historically...

Before the Arab conquests at the beginning of the 7th century AD. The main religious cults professed by the peoples on the territory of Tajikistan were Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as Nestorian Christianity and Judaism.

The Arab invasion brought with it the complete “Islamization” of the territory, which was completely completed by the middle of the 11th century.

Scientist: who are Tajiks and where do they come from?

However, earlier, back in the 7th century AD, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, several movements arose in Islam, the main of which were Sunnism and Shiism.

Followers of Shiism - Shiites recognize the legitimate successor of the Prophet Muhammad only as the fourth caliph Ali - the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as his descendants.

In turn, the Shiites are also divided into several directions.

For example, the Ismailis live mainly in the territory of Gorno-Badakhshan. It received its name from the name of Ismail, the son of the sixth imam, the head of the Shiite community, Jafar al-Sadiq. The head of the Ismaili community is currently Prince Karim Aga Khan IV (born 1936 in Geneva; permanently resides in France).

Unlike Shiites, Sunnis do not recognize the possibility of mediation between God and people after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and they deny the idea of ​​​​the special nature of Ali and the right of his descendants to the imamate.

Sufism is another direction of Islam, as many say, mystical-ascetic.

Already in the 11th-12th centuries, Sufi brotherhoods or orders began to emerge, headed by pirs and ishans. Some of these orders exist and are still active today. The most famous Sufi orders are Naqshbandiya, Kubrawiyya, Qadiriya, Yasawiyya.

On October 14, 1924, the second session of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR after the division of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and the Bukhara SSR approved a resolution on the national-territorial delimitation of Central Asia and the formation of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic as part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, the Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, the Kara-Kyrgyz and Kara-Kalpak autonomous regions within the RSFSR. And on October 16, 1929, the Tajik ASSR was transformed into the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic, which voluntarily became part of the USSR.

USSR postage stamp 1957 / photo source: wikipedia.org

The Republic was henceforth proclaimed a home for all Tajiks, its official language a northern dialect of the Tajik-Persian language was declared, henceforth called Tajik (zabon-i tojik), in which Soviet-style literature was created.

In the 1930s, Tajik, along with other languages ​​of the region, was first translated from Arabic script to the Latin script, and then to the Cyrillic script.

"Arabs"

According to the most common and almost generally accepted version, the word “Tajik” is traced back to the Middle Persian tāzīk (“Arab”, New Persian tāzi) or another related Iranian word (for example, Sogdian).

When Muslim armies invaded Transoxiana in the 8th century, they included, in addition to Arabs, a large number of Iranian-speaking representatives who had recently converted to Islam. During the conquest of this region, Muslims often came into conflict with the Karluk Turks. Therefore, the Turkic population of Central Asia adopted a variant of the Iranian word täžik to refer to their Muslim opponents.

The Karakhanid Turks used this term to refer to Iranian-speaking Muslims living in the Amu Darya region and Khorasan.

Maverannahr, or Transoxania, Khorasan and Khorezm on the map / photo source: wikipedia.org

As historian Beykhaki reports, for example, the word “Tajik” was adopted as an ethnonym (name of a nation or people) - according to him, the expression “we, Tajiks” (mā tāzikān) was used at court.

The division between Turks and Tajiks from this time on became to some extent an expression of the conflict between nomads and sedentaries, military power and civil bureaucracy.

Bureaucrats


The flag of Tajikistan uses the same colors as the flag of Iran, but in a different order / photo source: pixabay.com

In the literature of the Ilkhanid and Timurid eras (this is also characteristic of the Safavid period), the term was usually used to refer to the entire Persian-speaking population.

Who is more ancient: Uzbeks or Tajiks

The name “Tajik” served to distinguish Persian subjects (state functionaries, merchants, artisans or peasants) from the ruling Turkic or Mongol elite. Thus, in the work of the Ilkhanid court historian Rashid ad-din, the expressions bitikčiān-e tāzik (“Persian secretaries”) raʿiyat-e tāzik (“Persian peasants”) are found. This word has also been found quite often in literature since the 13th century - in Saʻdi or Shah Nematullah Wali.

By the mid-Safavid period, the term tājīk had become part of a clichéd formula describing the confrontation between the “men of the pen” (bureaucracy) and the “men of the sword” (military elite).

It should be noted that this confrontation was somewhat far-fetched - there have been examples in history when representatives of the bureaucratic classes made a successful military career.

From profession to people

In Central Asia and Afghanistan, since about the 1400s, this word has been recorded as the name of all Persian-speaking inhabitants of these regions.

Ruy González de Clavijo, envoy of the Castilian king Enrique III to Timur, writes that the people living in this territory are called tangiquis (the Castilian emissary seems to have interpreted the word tājīk this way) and speak a Persian language, which is somewhat different from the Persian that is used "in Persia". Gonzalez de Clavijo's remarks are confirmed by the writings of Uzbek authors of the 17th century.

Interestingly, already at the beginning of the twentieth century, the word tājīk was recorded to denote non-standard Persian dialects in the province of Fars in order to distinguish them from the urban Persian-speaking population and the nomadic Lurs.

Khan's Palace in Kokand (modern Uzbekistan) / photo source: wikipedia.org

When in 1868 Russian troops conquered Samarkand and Bukhara, the Persian-speaking population of these cities used the term tājīk as a self-name.

The same situation was recorded in the Kokand Khanate and the Fergana Valley. And only the Soviet government in 1924, when creating the Tajik autonomous republic officially approved the word “Tajik” as the nationality of all people living in this territory.

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Tajikistan is a mountainous country. 93% of its territory is surrounded by mountains, and faces the highest mountain systems of Central Asia: the Tien Shan and Pamir. Almost half of the territory of Tajikistan is located at an altitude of more than 3000 m. Huge mountains with numerous gorges and canyons, through the base of which mountain rivers flow. It should also be noted that the mountains of Tajikistan arose in different eras.

The mountain range of the Kurama Range and the Mogoltau Mountains are located far to the north of the Republic and are part of the structural mountain structure of the western Tien Shan.

The length of the Kuraminsky ridge is almost 170 km. The highest peak (Babai-ob, 3768 m) is located in the northeastern part of the mountain range. The small isolated Mogoltau ridge rises in the southwest of the Kurama mountain range, its height reaches 1623 m. Mogoltau is isolated by the Mirzarabat pass, stretches along the Syrdarya River for 40 km. The Kumenyan mountain range and the Mogoltau mountains have a height of 320 - 500 m; the left bank part - between the river and the foot of the Turkestan mountain range, gradually rises to the south up to 1000 m

Then comes the Fergana Valley.

The valley is located between the Chatkal mountain range and the Kuraminsky ridge, and the Mogoltau mountains, in the northwest between the Turkestan and Alai ridges. The height of the Fergana Valley varies from 320 m on the islands and rivers of the Syrdarya, and up to 800-1000 m.

in the foothills surrounding the valley. To the west of the Fergana Valley, there is the plain of the Hungry Steppe, the largest area located in Tajikistan. Its absolute height is 250-300 m.


The Gissar mountain ranges occupy a central place in the territory of Tajikistan and face the southern Tien Shan, including Turkestan, Zarafshan, Gissar, Karategin and Alay mountain ranges.

They are surrounded by the Fergana Valley from the north, Gissar, Surkhobob and the Alai River from the south. The total length of the mountain ranges of this system from west to north is approximately 900 km.

Tajik people

The Turkestan ridge extends for 200 km. between the Fergana and Zarafshan valleys. Reaching high altitude in the eastern part (Pyramid Peak, 5621 m), gradually falls in the north and ends with the Nuratau mountain range in Uzbekistan. The southern and northern slopes of Turkestan are very different: the southern is almost snowless (8-14 km); the northern slope is longer and its snow levels reach 3500-4000 m.

Glaciers are located only in the eastern part of the mountain range.

The most significant of them is Rama (20 km). The roads connecting the Zarafshan and Fergana valleys pass through the Turkestan mountain ranges, many of which are up to 4000 m or more in height.
The most important among them is the Shahristan Pass (3351 m).

The part of the ridge between the Fandarya and Kshtut rivers is called the “Fan Mountains”, which are distinguished by their complexity and colossal height (Chimtarga 5495 m).

The Gissar ridge is separated from the Zarafshan, forming a watershed between the Amu Darya and Zarafshan basins. His most high point located in the eastern and middle parts (peak, has the name of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party Soviet Union(KPSS) - 4688 km, Kaznok peak - 4491 m). The Gissar mountain range has many passes, the most significant of which is the Anzob Pass (3372 m). Gissar Valley (the length of which is approximately 100 km.

and width from 1.5 km. up to 24 km.) expanded at the foot. The Vakhsha Valley is located in the South - 110 km, width 7 - 25 km.

The Pamir Mountains occupy the eastern part of the Pamir mountain system, where two regions are distinguished: Western Pamir and Eastern Pamir. The border passing between these regions connects the Zulumart mountain range with the Usoi dam and Lake Yashilkul.
The short and meridionally located ridge of the Academy of Sciences is considered the main component of the Pamir Mountains system, the average height of which is 5757 m.

The lowest pass, Cachall-Ayak (4340 m), is almost at the level of Mont Blanc, the highest peak of the Alps. The highest peak of this ridge is Ismoil Samoni Peak (former Communism Peak) reaches 7495 m. Several glaciers flow down the slopes of the peak, merging with the Garmo glacier. In the northern part of the mountain range, the peak of E. Korzhenevskaya (7105 m) is located. The Western Pamirs are characterized by the diversity of their surfaces and the contrast of their altitudes.

The foothills of the mountain ranges are located at an altitude of 1700 - 1800 m above sea level, and rise to 6000 m and higher. From the north, the Pamirs are surrounded by the Trans-Alai Range (which is 95 km long). The highest Pamir highway, connecting the city of Osh with the center of GBAO-Khorog, passes through the Kizylart pass -4280 m. In the eastern part of the Pamirs there is the Sarykol mountain range (whose height is 5909 m), passing along the state border with China.

Details about the Pamir Mountains

Ak-Su. About 120 km south of the city of Khujand is the wonderful Ak-Su mountainous area, famous for the beauty of its untouched nature and extraordinary mountains. The peaks of some mountains exceed 5,000 meters. These are Ak-Su (5355 m), Blok (5239 m), Iskander (5120 m) and others. These mountains are made of dense granite with small protrusions and cracks. It seems almost impossible to climb them, but climbers easily climb the rocky surface, conquering new peaks.

The beautiful, easily accessible gorges and passes of the area create ideal conditions for trekking and traveling on horseback.

Source of the Tajik people

Tajikistan: famous locals

Here are many famous people Tajikistan who were born, regardless of whether they lived most of their life in this country.

  • politician Abdumalik Abdullayanov, former prime minister
  • artist Abdullaev Abdullaev, artistic director, cameraman
  • Yusup Abdusalamov, Olympic medalist, wrestler
  • Andrey Khakimovich Abduvalev, Olympic medalist, impact hammers
  • singer Sharomi Abubakr
  • singer Firuza Alifova
  • poet Shihabuddin Am'aq
  • Chess grandmaster Farrukh Amonatov
  • politician Kadriddin Aslonov
  • Ambassador Sirodzhidin Mukhridinovich Aslov
  • Sadriddin Aini, poet, writer
  • politician Yakhior Nuridinovich Azimov, former prime minister
  • poet Abdumalik Bakhori,
  • Maulana Jalal ad-Din Muhammammi, writer, poet "Rumi", lawyer, theologian, mystic
  • singer Nargis Bandishoeva
  • Khasan Baroev, Olympic medalist, wrestler
  • Football coach Yuri Mikhailovich Baturenko
  • artist Murivat Bekhnazarov
  • Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, scientist, scientist
  • Rasul Bokiev, Olympic champion, judoka
  • poet Kiram Bukharay
  • Ambassador Abdulmayid Salimovich Dostoev
  • boxer Sherali Dostiev
  • Andrey Dragin, Alpine skier
  • Oleg Fezov, musician, composer
  • actress Rena Galibova, Opera singer
  • Bobojon Gafurov, historian, author, academic
  • singer Arthur Olegovich Gladyshev
  • Odbojkaš Angelina Grun
  • politician Asadullo Gulomov
  • artist Zuhur Khabibullaev
  • poet Inoyat Khoyveev "Farzona"
  • Scientist Mamadsho Ilolov
  • politician Akbarsho Iskandarov, Former incumbent
  • musician Barno Iskhakov
  • swimmer Katerina Izmailova
  • mathematician Abdukhamid Yuraev
  • dancer Malika Kalontereva
  • archer Albina Kamaletdinova
  • politician Jamshed Khilolovich Karimov, former prime minister
  • poet Gulnazar Keldi, lyricist of the national anthem
  • politician Safarali Kenyaev
  • Football coach Makhmedyon Khabibulloev
  • boxer Abdusal Hasanov
  • the reporter Iskandar Khatloni
  • Davlatman Kholov, singer, musician
  • Bakhitar Khudoinazarov, director, producer, screenwriter
  • Davlat Khudonazarov, Active human rights activist
  • Kamal Kuyandi, poet
  • mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, astronomer, geographer
  • politician Georgy Koshlakov
  • Alisher Kudratov, Alpine skier
  • poet Abulkasim Ahmedzade Lahuti, political activist
  • Vyacheslav Lampiv, Olympic medalist, hockey player
  • deceiver Vladimir Landsman
  • the reporter Otahon Latifi, policies
  • Yuri Lobanov, Olympic medalist
  • Kahr Mahkamov, First President
  • Rakhmul Khudoynazarovich Malakhbekov Olympic champion, boxer
  • athlete Vladimir Eduardovich Malyavin, jumper length

Have you forgotten something?
Add famous citizens of Tajikistan

Origin of the Tajiks

Tajiks are one of the ancient peoples Central Asia. Tajiks make up the bulk of the population of Tajikistan, and a fairly large part of the population of Afghanistan.

A large Tajik diaspora has also developed in Russia and Pakistan. Tajiks consider their origins to be “Aryans”.

According to historical research, the ancestors of the Tajiks are settled and nomadic Iranian-speaking peoples (Scythians/Sakas and Sarmatians), who spread throughout the vastness of Central Asia at the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 1st millennium BC.

Initially, by the word “Tajik” (from “Tazi, Tozi”), the Eastern Iranians (Bactrians, Sogdians, Khorezmians) meant Western Iranians (Persians) converted to Islam, who, along with the Arabs and other peoples, made early raids on their lands.

Currently, some eastern Iranians in Afghanistan and Central Asia continue to call themselves Tajiks.

How Tajiks appeared in the Iranian world

Over time, the term “Tajik” acquired a “collective” meaning for all eastern Iranian peoples, therefore, along with the Persians of western Iran, they are the rightful heirs of the history, culture and literature of the entire Iranian world.

Appearance and religion of Tajiks

In the external physiognomic features of the Tajiks, the main features of the Iranian type are clearly visible: they are usually of medium height, with wide, strong bones; their face is longer than that of the Turks, but from the wide forehead, thick cheekbones, thick nose and large mouth one can conclude that there is a significant admixture of Turanian blood.

Tajiks have a high forehead, expressive eyes, black eyelashes, thick dark brown hair, and a thick beard.

Most Tajiks profess the Mohammedan religion of the Shiite persuasion, but still retain traces of the veneration of fire and the sun. In terms of spiritual qualities, the Tajiks are much higher than their Tatar conquerors - the Uzbeks: Bukhara only became the center of Central Asian civilization because since ancient times the Tajiks constituted the overwhelming majority of the population, which, although conquered, did not cease to play the role of civilizers in relation to their overlords.

In their way of life and way of life, Tajiks are similar to Sarts, as a result of which some scientists considered them to be the same tribe.

Vambery argued that the word “Sart” is the Turkish name for Tajik.

Tajiks Wikipedia
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According to the 2002 All-Russian Population Census, 5,125 people of Tajik nationality (0.1 percent) live in the Southern Urals; in 1989 there were 870 (0.02 percent)

When preparing an essay about Tajiks Southern Urals I distanced myself further and further from the images of Ravshan and Dzhamshut, which were firmly entrenched in the Russian mass consciousness. I was struck by how different the widespread vulgar image of our heroes today is from their true cultural face.

Persian roots

are an Iranian people who speak various dialects of the Perso-Tajik continuum and inhabit the regions east and northeast of modern Iran, located in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. The traditional lands of the Tajiks cover the Fergana Valley, Chach (a region in the Chirchik River valley), the Zeravshan River Valley, the basin of the upper Amu Darya (Pyanj), Mugrab and Kabul, as well as the Helmand and Arghandab basins. In Afghanistan, Tajiks also include the Persian-speaking population of the Harirud and Lake Hamun basins. Afghanistan is characterized by other variants of the name of this population group: Farsivans (Persian-speaking), Dekhkans (sedentary farmers). The total number of Tajiks, according to unofficial estimates, is about 22 million people.

The ethnonym is associated with the Middle Persian tāzīg - “Arab”, from the name of the ancient Arab tribe closest to Iran. Or with the corresponding Sogdian word tāžīk - this is how in the east of the Iranian world the Arab armies that invaded the 8th century under the banner of jihad were called. Persian-speaking Muslim converts from Fars, Zagros and Khorasan also participated en masse in the Islamic conquest of Central Asia. The Persian language, related to the Sogdian and Bactrian languages ​​widespread there, turned out to be not only the language of the dominant layer of Persian-speaking conquerors, but also the language of Islamic preaching. He began to displace local dialects, laying the foundation for the Persian-speaking Muslim community of modern Tajiks.

Qualitatively new stage development of the ethnic group began in late XIX century, after the inclusion of the Tajik regions into the Russian Empire. Since the 1920s, the Sovietization of culture began, accompanied by widespread literacy in the Russian and Tajik languages ​​(graphics based on the Russian alphabet). The official consolidation of the widely used term “Tajik” as a nationality occurred precisely in the 20th century, during the Soviet power national division. In 1924, the Tajik ASSR was formed with its capital in Dushanbe as part of the Uzbek SSR. In 1929, Tajikistan became a separate Soviet republic - the predecessor of modern independent Tajikistan.

Modern Tajiks consider themselves bearers and guardians of a millennia-old tradition associated with the culture of the entire Persian-speaking area. The Republic emphasizes its continuity with the early medieval state entities, first of all, with the Samanid power with its capital in Bukhara (874-1005 AD). It is believed that the Tajik ethnic group emerged during this period. The culmination of the cultural development of the people was the reign of Ismoili Somoni. This period is called the Golden Age of Tajik civilization. The best scientists, writers, philosophers, poets, astronomers, painters, and alchemists were gathered at the court. The doors of the palace were open to guests bringing news about world culture. In 1999, the 1100th anniversary of the Samanid state was solemnly celebrated in Tajikistan. The highest peak (former Communism Peak, 7495 meters) and the main square of Dushanbe are named after Ismoili Somoni. A monument to this great Tajik was erected in the capital of the republic.



Tajiks are a very beautiful nation. They have dark hair and eyes, and skin ranging from medium dark to light. Blonde hair and eyes are found among the mountain Tajiks of Badakhshan. Part of the people living in Central Asia has an admixture of ethnic features of the Turks; in remote mountainous regions, the Tajiks better preserved the features of the eastern Iranians of the pre-Turkic and pre-Mongol periods. Since the time Arab conquest, the main religion of the Tajik population of Central Asia is Sunni Islam. In Tajikistan, other countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan with Pakistan - two various shapes literary language Tajiks: Tajik and Dari. Main dishes – pilaf And kurutob. The main musical instruments are the torus (wooden plucked, five strings) and dutor(two strings).

A nation of craftsmen

There are many talented folk craftsmen and artisans among Tajiks. Over the centuries, they created textiles, dishes, musical instruments, carpets, furniture, jewelry and much more. And everything is made from natural, environmentally friendly raw materials. There are dynasties of folk craftsmen who pass on ancient art from generation to generation. The oldest species folk crafts - weaving. The most common types of Tajik fabrics are: Zandona(during the Samanid era it was exported to different countries‚ had a plain-colored and patterned shape‚ sometimes it was ornamented using the method of knotted ligation‚ which formed the basis of the abra, cloud-like ornamentation); alocha(multi-colored striped fabric made of silk and cotton, its surface shimmers and shimmers); snipe(multi-color semi-silk fabric, striped, patterned ornament); brocade(silk fabric, known all over the world); karbos (cotton fabric, the most common type of fabric in Central Asia); shokhi-kamus(silk fabric is very dense, with a rich pattern, used for sewing formal dresses and headscarves); cheat(cotton, ornamented fabric, one of the most common fabrics among the population of Central Asia); zarduzi – gold embroidery(two types of threads are used - golden and white, used in finishing velvet); zaminduzi(multi-colored ornamentation applied over the entire area of ​​the material); gulduzi(the ornament is created on the basis of a design applied to the material; this method is used to embroider robes, chapans, shoes for the bride, boskat, skullcaps, jewelry for horses, most often used in modern gold embroidery); abrbands(printing or stuffing, applied by printing patterns onto the finished material).

A rare woven product among Tajiks is devoid of national artistic embroidery. Central Asian women have been doing it since time immemorial; in the 19th century, embroidery became one of the most developed, popular and prosperous types of folk art there. Suzane- a large rectangular embroidered panel on the wall, the main and constant decoration of a Tajik home, not inferior in beauty to a carpet. It is embroidered on velvet, silk, cotton fabrics. Braid– decorative embroidery of mountain Tajiks, decorating some objects. Its compositional design has a border and ribbon character. Rumol– cotton belt scarves for men, decorated with embroidery of different colors, basma stitch or double-sided satin stitch. Floral patterns predominate, reminiscent of Arabic script. Embroidery is also used to decorate: borpush (bedspread), joynamoz (mat for reading prayers), kars (shawl), ruijo (bedspread), zardevor (for decorating the walls of the house), oinahalta (for mirrors, personal belongings).

*Toki*–*kallapush* (skullcap) is a traditional part of the national Tajik costume. Particularly popular “chusti” are men’s black and white skullcaps: the usual pattern – bodom (almond) or kalamphur (capsicum) is embroidered on white silk.

Tajik craftswomen

Tajiks are fluent in art decorative carving. It decorates architectural monuments, household items, musical instruments, dishes, doors, frames, and souvenirs. A distinction is made between wood carving (dishes, furniture), stone and ganch (architectural monuments, houses, interior decoration). Previously, images of people and animals were widely used in such carvings. With the spread of Islam, they gradually disappear, replaced by a large number of Arabic inscriptions.

Celebrities

At the end of the 1st - in the first century of the 2nd millennium AD, many nuggets became famous. This is a doctor Abu Ali ibni Sino(aka Ibn Sina, Avicenna). The whole world knows the founder of Tajik-Persian literature Abu Abdullah Rudaki(IX century), Abdulqasim Ferdowsi– author of the Shahnameh (10th century), Saadi, Hafiza, Omar Khayyam. Loïc Sherali- Tajik poet, Iranian scholar, one of the main figures of Tajik-Persian literature. Did a lot for the formation of a modern literary language famous writer Sadriddinu Aini(1878–1954). Poets are considered classics of literature Abulqasim Lahuti(1887–1957) and Mirzo Tursun-zade (1911–1977).

Emomali Rahmon in Chelyabinsk.

The name of the oriental historian is widely known and statesman Bobojon Gafurov. Tuichi Erdzhigitov– Hero of the Soviet Union, participant of the Great Patriotic War. Muhammad ibn Zakariya Razi-medic, founder of the first medical institutions in Central Asia, Ahmad Shah Masood– Afghan field commander, Minister of Defense of Afghanistan. Raimkul Malakhbekov- Russian boxer, silver and bronze medalist of the Olympic Games, two-time world champion. Timur Zulfikarov- poet, writer, screenwriter. Thanks to the video, he became famous on the Internet. Tajik Jimi, this migrant worker funny plays on a bucket and sings a song from an Indian film.

Tajiks in the Southern Urals

According to the 1989 census, there are 870 Tajiks in the region. Who are they, how did they get here? At the Tajik National Cultural Center “Somonien” they answer this question approximately - they came by assignment, on a Komsomol voucher, and stayed after serving in the army. Historians, due to the insignificance of their presence, also cannot say anything definite. But after the collapse of the USSR, there is something for a variety of specialists to study - officially the number of Tajiks in the region increased by 5.9 times. There are from 25 to 30 thousand people in the Southern Urals. Of these, about eight thousand are permanent residents, this is more than according to the 2002 census, but the official “roll call” data for 2010 is not yet ready.

Tajik students of the 80s.

Our heroes live in all cities and districts of the region. I met them when a team of young Tajiks was plastering the house next door to the editorial office. Passing by, I was amazed at how bravely they climbed fragile scaffolding and worked without any safety net. I spoke to the person below. He shouted something to the boss - the guy standing at the top (I smiled when I heard the familiar intonations of Ravshan - Misha Galustyan). Having gone downstairs with the dexterity of Tarzan, the chief (foreman) agreed to answer questions, but asked not to take photographs of anyone and not to give his last name. It turned out that most of the guys from the brigade had been living in Russia since childhood, their parents bought apartments, and everyone received citizenship. Russian masters taught them the craft of plastering. Orders are provided by a Russian company, salaries are issued without delay (20-25 thousand rubles). The whole time the Tajik guys were working at the site, they politely greeted me and waved to me from the top.

We are also used to seeing Tajiks as traders, janitors and minibus drivers, but there are many of them in other fields of activity. A professor works at the Chelyabinsk Academy of Culture and Art Bozorali Safarov. Talented judokas live in the capital of the Southern Urals: winner of the European Youth Championship Zafar Makhmadov and winner of the Russian championship Sherali Loikov. Young judokas occupy leading positions in the Urals Federal District Sherali and Khayridin Makhmadov. Many people know the surgeon Emomali Radjabov, dentists Muslikhidin and Marifat Pirov(brother and sister) and other doctors - surgeons, therapists. Among our heroes there are university teachers. More than 300 young Tajiks are students of SUSU, ChelSU, and the Medical Academy; they study in almost all technical schools. Children go to school. Relations with Russians and others are good. Misunderstandings arose only at first. As the Tajiks say, those who lived in one big country We have a lot in common, and the Urals are generally very kind people. The only negative is that in our region, southerners lack the energy of the sun and greenery; in Tajik villages, the air is literally saturated with the aromas of basil and other herbs.

Football player and dad
Chairman of the Somonien Center Islomudin Radjabov I came to the editorial office with my son.
- What is your name?- I asked a smiling boy with a fashionable hairstyle (hair is short in front and on the sides, and long in the back), who looked about six years old. He replied.

- How? – I asked.
- Khus-ra-vi! – The boy spoke syllable by syllable and smiled. I realized that he was no stranger to introducing himself to Russian people like this. He is not offended when they do not understand the first time.

- Was Khusravi already born in Russia?– I ask Islomudin Asoevich.
- Yes. In general, I have five children!

Islomudin Radjabov himself was born in 1965. He served in the army in the Kuibyshev region, in the railway troops. He built bridges and visited dozens of cities. Then he graduated from Tajik agricultural university, became an agronomist. He worked in the Komsomol committee, chief agronomist of the farm, director of the Chorsoda-1 state farm in the Komsomolabad district (republican subordination). The farm raised sheep, chickens, cattle, as well as irrigated potatoes (450 centners per hectare were harvested!), apples, pears, peaches, apricots - the land in Tajikistan is good.

Islomudin had heard about Chelyabinsk since childhood and knew that tanks were made in the city during the war. After the civil war disrupted the peaceful life of Tajikistan, he began to establish business relations with the Southern Urals. It first appeared in our area in 1995. He supplied vegetables and fruits by carload, lived here and there. In 2000, customs difficulties arose and I moved my family. In 2002 I bought an apartment. He is engaged in business in the Dovatorsky market, his company sells goods from Tajikistan. There are generally a lot of Tajiks in this place. They have established good relationships with customers from all over the area. They wanted to close the market, but changed their minds; this would have been a significant blow for the diaspora.

The eldest of the Radjabov children is a 20-year-old daughter, she graduated from school with straight A's and married a Moscow Tajik, he is also involved in trade. The eldest son studies at a motor transport college. The rest are schoolchildren.

I pour tea for Khusravi and dad. The boy tries cookies with pleasure, but ignores sweets. “He is our football player,” says Islomudin Asoevich. I smile and take the editorial soccer ball out of the closet. “Should I stuff it?” – Khusravi inquires busily. Out of excitement, he manages to hold the round projectile above the floor for not very long. “I support Barcelona,” says Khusravi, putting the ball aside. “My favorite players are Messi, Xavi, Puyol, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabregas, Arshavin and Rooney.” Islomudin Asoevich looks at his son with a happy look, sometimes they exchange short remarks in their native language. We remember the Dushanbe team “Pamir”, which played in the USSR championship. Guests say that it turns out he plays football Rustami Emomali, son of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

Chairman of the regional Tajik cultural center Samonien Islomudin Radzhabov.

Islomudin Asoevich brings another son to the next meeting at the editorial office. Shahrom is 11 years old, he is also a football player. We shake hands with Khusravi like old friends. He immediately reports football news about Barcelona. The guests brought a cake with them, which we immediately cut...

National Cultural Center

Tajik National Cultural Center "Samonien" named after Ismoili Somoni. It was created in October 2002. Since 2005, Islomudin Radzhabov has been the chairman of the organization’s regional council. Every Tajik in Chelyabinsk knows him. “If even 10 percent of the diaspora do not respect me, I will not be chairman,” says Islomudin Asoevich. – I receive 100 or more calls every day. For many, it is enough to say two words so that they understand what to do. I can be anywhere any day.” I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Radjabov does all this for free. He spends a lot of his money on Samonien shares. In addition, Islomudin Asoevich is a member of the Public Council at the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan, a member of the Public Council under the head of the Chelyabinsk administration.

Tajik folk ensemble.

Far from the homeland, it is difficult to observe national traditions and customs, but we try,” says the chairman. – We try to ensure that children do not forget their national language and culture. To do this, we constantly invite famous artists from Tajikistan to Chelyabinsk, this is very good cultural and linguistic support for our youth. National culture is especially valuable at a distance, when a certain lack of it is felt. However, even here, far from our native country, our large diaspora tries to observe all national rituals and celebrate the main cultural holidays.

The center organizes and hosts dozens of events every year. Among Chelyabinsk residents different nationalities the annual National holiday“Navruz” (this Persian-Tajik word is translated very simply: nav - new, ruz - day). It was first held on the initiative of Islomudin Radjabov on April 5, 2008 in the athletics arena. About 10 thousand people gathered, representatives of more than 50 peoples and nationalities. A famous Tajik singer was invited to the celebration Fakhridini Malik. 1000 flatbreads and 10 cauldrons of pilaf were prepared, which took 500 kilograms of meat.

Family at the festive table.

In addition, we always celebrate the holiday of the red tulip, which symbolizes the onset of summer, warmth, and flowering,” continues Islomudin Radzhabov. – We participate in the Days of Friendship of Nations. In September we celebrate Independence Day of the Republic of Tajikistan. Participation in Children’s Day and assistance from the Chelyabinsk administration in holding public holidays (Victory Day, Navy and others). We are always represented at the citywide socio-political opening day; we organize national wrestling competitions “Gushtingiri” with rewarding the winners with valuable gifts and certificates from the organization. We provide charitable assistance to orphanages, educational institutions region, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, disabled people.

The center provides assistance and support to compatriots living in the Southern Urals. In 2007, during a visit to Chelyabinsk region At the exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, on the initiative of the chairman of the Somonien center, his meeting was organized with 120 active members of the association in the Legislative Assembly.

Stay human!

Having been to practice in Dushanbe, my fellow students at the Faculty of Journalism of the USU talked about the hospitality of the people. Tajiks love to invite people home and generously treat them. Before meeting the Chelyabinsk diaspora, I only had such “knowledge” about the human qualities of this people. Well, of course, images from “Our Rashi” were mixed in with them. Therefore, at first there was some kind of inconsistency. Real Tajiks did not correspond to my stereotypical ideas. I thought that they were emphatic, as if in contrast they wanted to appear only from the good, front side. They try to conform to something civilized. It seemed unnatural; I wanted more openness.

I was very surprised that Tajiks do not want to talk about real problems, including here in the Southern Urals. “You left because life became difficult?” – I asked. In response to this simple human question, I have received the same simple human answers many times, full of life drama. Here it’s different. “Migration is a global phenomenon,” they answered me. My interlocutors did not want to say anything bad about their country. “We were brought up in a secular way of life,” they said. “We don’t want to go back to feudalism.” And we consider it an honor to move forward together with Russia.” Moreover, our heroes want to go, being not only in Russia, but also in Tajikistan, this is the policy of the president. “Is Emomali Rakhmon truly respected?” – I asked “purely in Russian” and saw bewilderment. Like, how could it be otherwise?! I showed photographs of Tajiks in national costumes found on the Internet, my interlocutors hastened to say that they have not been wearing them in Tajik villages for about 60 years. They emphasized the modernity and civilization of their people, and I saw this as a partial loss of their originality. For some reason, I remembered Japanese girls who dyed their hair blondes and, with the help of operations, widened their beautiful eyes in the European style...

Girl in national costume.

Chelyabinsk Tajiks were also confused by the fact that I was asking them to tell an anecdote about their people. Here we especially felt resentment and annoyance at the vulgar image of our people in the Russian mass consciousness, formed by “Our Russia”. “Would you shake hands with Misha Galustyan?” – I asked Islomudin Radzhabov. “Yes,” he answered with some reluctance, “but let someone else do it, I’m still not a boy.” And then, from young Tajiks, the author learned that they had questions for Mikhail Galustyan at a completely different level. I was reminded that the Armenian and Tajik peoples are of Persian origin. They have a lot in common in the language (“thousand” - “Khazar” in Armenian and “Khazor” in Tajik; the words sound the same in both languages: “freedom” - “azat”, “bell” - “zang”, “board” - “takhtag”, “nails” - “fur”, etc.). Tajiks and Armenians created powerful centralized states, when other peoples still lived in scattered tribes, contributed to the development of human civilization, and were subjected to genocide: Tajiks by the Mongols (XIV century), Armenians by the Turks (1915). Young Tajiks believe that if the Armenian Mikhail Galustyan (real name, by the way, is Nshan) knew better the history of his ethnic group, he would hardly have mocked his kindred people. But the Tajiks don’t have the name Jamshut at all.
Gradually I realized that Tajiks are not showing off, they really feel like representatives of their culture. Each of them carries it within themselves.

They say that before going to bed, a Tajik should weigh how the day went, what he did right and what he did wrong, in order to go to work in the morning with a pure soul. One of my interlocutors began to quote Abu Abdullah Rudaki from memory:
“There is nothing brighter and stronger in the world,
Than seeing, dating and meeting friends.”
And then he started talking about the connection between Tajik poetry and Russian poetry, about eternal philosophy.
At the end of the meeting, Islomudin Radzhabov said that the main thing for a Tajik, no matter who he is, no matter what his life is, is to remain human.

Kitchen

A characteristic feature of Tajik cuisine is the use of large quantities meat products. When preparing pilaf, rice is pre-soaked for one to two hours in warm salted water, this is done to speed up cooking. Other recipes add chickpeas to the rice. Tajiks also prepare pilaf, where they use Ugro grains instead of rice. It is customary to add pieces of quince or whole heads of garlic to pilaf. There is a special dish in the national cuisine - khushan or Tajik manti with chickpeas.

Tajiks use very little fish, eggs, and certain types of cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, pearl barley). The most common types of meat are lamb and goat; chickens and chickens are less commonly eaten, and ducks and geese are almost never eaten. In some areas, game is popular: partridges, quails. Other feature national cuisine– increased consumption of legumes and rice. A significant share in the diet is occupied by flour products: flat cakes, lagman, ugro, sambuse, brushwood and others. To prepare the first courses, the meat is first chopped with bones and fried. With this method, the finished dishes acquire a unique taste and a brown tint. Poultry is skinned before or after heat treatment. Fish, as well as meat and vegetables, are fried in large amounts of hot fat. Potatoes and carrots for first courses are boiled whole.

Products are subjected to heat treatment in cast iron cauldrons, as well as in special pressure cooker pans or pans with liners. Frying products on grills and in tonura gives the finished products a specific taste and aroma. Most dishes of Tajik cuisine are richly seasoned with onions, spices, herbs, and sour milk (katyk). Red pepper and cumin are widely used spices. Spicy greens– cilantro, dill, parsley, mint, raikhon (basil), green onions, sorrel and others – crushed and added to salads, first and second courses, as well as sour milk. Favorite drink is green tea. For sweet dishes, preference is given to refreshing fruit sorbets. Tajiks eat sitting on kurpach, around low tables.
Recently, Islomudin Radjabov opened the Samonien cafe in the Dovatorsky market area.

Tajik joke

Afandi was sitting in a room on the top floor. A beggar approached his house and knocked on the gate. Afandi looked out of the window: “What do you want?” - “Come down here, I have business with you.” When Afandi came down, the beggar asked him for alms. Without saying a single word, the owner took him upstairs and intoned: “The Almighty will provide, I have nothing.” - “Why didn’t you say this downstairs, but made me get up?” - “Why did you make me come down, wanting to tell you what you need?”

How do you like life in the Southern Urals?

Bobojon IKROMOV, entrepreneur:
- In the 80s, I graduated from the All-Union Agricultural Institute in Moscow, worked for two years as the chief livestock specialist in the Tula region, then returned to Tajikistan. And after the civil war, by the will of fate, he ended up in Chelyabinsk. I am engaged in the supply of vegetables from my homeland, we manage to deliver them fresh. At home, not only her own dishes are on the table, my wife learned how to cook borscht and cabbage soup. Children - schoolchildren, native language they know, but they already speak with an accent, they communicate with each other in Russian. We are already accustomed to Chelyabinsk, there is work here, children study, make friends - this means that this is now our homeland.

Kurutob

Required Products. The dish takes its name from the Tajik word “kurut”. This is dry salted cottage cheese among the pastoral peoples of Asia, prepared for future use. The Kazakhs call it kurt, the Buryats - khurut, the Tatars - kort. For kurutoba you need half a glass of this product, you will also need finely chopped green onions - 2 tbsp. spoons, onions – 1 pc., tomatoes – 2 pcs., sweet peppers – 2 pcs., butter – 4 tbsp. spoons, finely chopped parsley and dill - 2 tbsp. spoons, flatbread fatyr(from puff pastry) – 1 piece, ground red pepper, salt to taste. Preparation. Dilute the kurut with warm boiled water to the consistency of thick sour cream, add salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Place the kurut in the middle of the dish, arrange bouquets of finely chopped onions and green onions, tomatoes cut into circles, bell peppers cut into rings, and finely chopped herbs. Break freshly baked fatyr into very small pieces and place on kurut, pour over hot oil. Kurutob is a very nourishing and tasty dish, it is prepared for distinguished guests.

Islomudin Radjabov was almost offended when he found out that I wanted to “try on” a national costume using Photoshop. Unlike some other diasporas, the Tajiks of Chelyabinsk turned out to have their own authentic outfit. My heroes were both surprised and delighted that I wanted to wear it. In this chapan for the millionth Russian city, of course, you don’t look like it, but a warm robe can protect very well from both the Central Asian heat and the coolness.

History of the emergence of the Tajik people The formation of the Tajik people was preceded by long ethnogenetic processes that began in the 1st millennium BC. The territory where the Tajiks were formed was ancient Bactria (basin of the Amu Darya river), Sogdiana (basin of the Zeravshan and Kashkadarya rivers), and the Fergana Valley. Bactrians, Sogdians, Parkans (ancient Fergana people) lived here - farmers, as well as Saka tribes who roamed the northern and eastern outskirts of this country. Modern descendants Sogdians are considered to be Yagnobis, Saks are considered to be Pripamir Tajiks. In the 2nd century AD. The Yuezhi (or Tocharians) penetrate into Bactria. One of the branches of the Sako-Tokhars, the Kushans, created a powerful state (Kushan Empire). Its weakening led to the 4th-5th century AD. to the invasion of Central Asia by new steppe tribes - the Hephthalites, who formed a vast state that successfully fought with Sasanian Iran. With education in the 6th century. The penetration of Turkic ethnic elements into the Turkic Khaganate increased.(Bukhara, Samarkand, Khojent). During the Tajik SSR, the Tajik language completely completed its formation. This is an article from the Soviet Historical Encyclopedia, published in 1973. Now let’s write the same article from the Encyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius for 2005. The formation of the Tajik people was preceded by long ethnogenetic processes dating back to the end of the second - beginning of the first millennium BC, when Iranian-speaking tribes came from the Eurasian steppes to Central Asia. They mixed with local tribes of the Late Bronze Age and the main population of Central Asia became Iranian-speaking. In Ancient Bactria (the Amu Darya basin), Sogd (the Zeravshan and Kashkadarya basin), and the Fergana Valley, the agricultural tribes of the Bactrians, Sogdians, and Parkans (ancient Ferghans) lived; the Sakas roamed the northern and eastern outskirts of Central Asia. The descendants of the Sogdians (according to linguistic data) are considered to be the Yagnobis; Saka tribes played important role in the formation of the Pamir Tajiks. In the second century BC, the Yuezhi, or Tocharians, which included Saka tribes, penetrated into Bactria. With the formation of the Turkic Khaganate in the 6th century, the penetration of Turkic ethnic elements into Central Asia intensified. Turkic rulers. In 1868, the northern regions inhabited by Tajiks became part of Russia's possessions, while the population of southern Tajikistan remained under the rule of the Bukhara Emirate. The original occupation of the Tajiks was agriculture, based largely on artificial irrigation, and gardening; cattle breeding was of an auxiliary nature. Tajiks have developed crafts, including artistic ones, many of which had ancient traditions (wood and alabaster carving, decorative embroidery). The Tajik people developed in close connection with other peoples of Central Asia. The medieval history of Tajiks and Uzbeks - peoples with common ethnic elements - is especially close. As you can see, in modern encyclopedias the history of the emergence of the Tajiks is written in almost the same way. And now I will trace the history of the emergence of the Tajik people according to my historical atlas and based on the information I collected. I'll start with ancient times, which many modern historians. By this time, the asuras were already smaller (up to 4 meters). From the continent going under water, some of the asuras, who by this time can already be called descendants of the asuras, began to move to the newly emerging continents - East Africa, South Asia, Australia and Guinea, and the islands of Indonesia. 1 million years ago on Earth the largest continent was the continent of Atlantis, it was located in Atlantic Ocean , other continents have not yet been fully formed. Asuras continued to move to eastern Africa, southern South Asia, Australia, Guinea, and the islands of Indonesia. From 400 thousand years BC, and especially quickly from 199 thousand years BC, the continent of Atlantis began to sink under the waters of the ocean, by which time modern continents had already been largely formed. Therefore, the migration of peoples (descendants of the Atlanteans) to modern continents began with Atlantis. At the same time, the continent of South Asia united with the continent of North Asia, and a vast territory appeared around the Pamirs. But even in those days, the territory of Turkmenistan, the northern part of Uzbekistan, and southern Kazakhstan were under the water of a large sea, which included both the Caspian and Aral Seas. Most likely, the first inhabitants appeared on the territory of Tajikistan at this time - these were the descendants of the asuras. They were already short in stature (degraded, feral asuras). Their appearance was similar to modern Australian aborigines and Papuans. These were the ancient Australoids. In addition to them, ancient great apes, Pithecanthropus, also lived in these places. By 79 thousand years BC, the territory of Central Asia was already approximately similar to the modern one, only the Caspian and Aral seas were larger. And rivers to Central Asia began around 17500 BC. These were the tribes of the Kostenki culture, who were under pressure from other tribes in Europe. The Kostenki culture was formed from a mixture of Australoids who lived approximately in modern times. Voronezh region (Grimaldi race) and the Caucasian Seletian culture. The tribes of the Kostenki culture were the creators of a new people - the Dravidians (a transitional people between Caucasians and Australoids). To the north of the Bactrians, the Sakas (Iranian tribes) roamed; to the west of the Bactrians lived the Sogdians (an Iranian-speaking people related to the Bactrians). Around 550 BC, Bactria was subjugated to Achaemenid Persia, but this had no effect on the Bactrians or their language. Even the conquest of the territory of Bactria by Alexander the Great did not affect the Bactrians and their language. large state, which also included Afghanistan and North India. The language of the Hephthalites (especially since it is closely related to the language of the Bactrians) did not greatly change the language of the Bactrians. From about 650, nomadic Turkic tribes began to invade the territory of Tajikistan from the north. But if by 1100 the related people Sogdians completely lost their language, and the Sogdians themselves turned into a Turkic people, the Bactrians (future Tajiks) lived together with the Turks and retained their language, especially V major cities

and mountainous areas. Later this language became Tajik (perhaps several Turkic words came into it).

By 1200, the Tajik language and the Tajik people were finally formed, almost simultaneously with it the Turkic people - the Turkmens, and a related people - the Pashtuns (in Afghanistan) were formed. But I think that the Tajiks who now live in the mountainous regions speak a little differently than the valley Tajiks; the mountain Tajiks probably retained more words from the Bactrians.
History of the emergence of the Tajik people
By the time of the Arab conquest in the 8th century. On the territory of modern Tajikistan, three main ethnic regions were distinguished: Sogdian in the north, Fergana in the northeast and Tocharian in the south. Arab invasions slowed down the process of formation of the Tajik people. With the formation of the Samanid state in the 9th-10th centuries. The process of formation of the ethnic core of the Tajiks was completed. This process was associated with the spread of the common Tajik language, which gradually replaced the languages ​​of the Eastern Iranian group (Sogdian, Bactrian, Saka).
From the end of the 10th century, political dominance in Central Asia passed to the Turkic-speaking peoples, and new waves of Turkic, and later Mongolian tribes penetrated into the areas of the settled Tajik population. The process of Turkization of Tajiks begins, especially on the plains, and to a lesser extent in the mountains and big cities (Bukhara, Samarkand, Khojent).
During the Tajik SSR, the Tajik language completely completed its formation.
This is an article from the Soviet Historical Encyclopedia, published in 1973.
Now let’s write the same article from the Encyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius for 2005.
The formation of the Tajik people was preceded by long ethnogenetic processes dating back to the end of the second - beginning of the first millennium BC, when Iranian-speaking tribes came from the Eurasian steppes to Central Asia. They mixed with local tribes of the Late Bronze Age and the main population of Central Asia became Iranian-speaking. In Ancient Bactria (the Amu Darya basin), Sogd (the Zeravshan and Kashkadarya basin), and the Fergana Valley, the agricultural tribes of the Bactrians, Sogdians, and Parkans (ancient Ferghans) lived; the Sakas roamed the northern and eastern outskirts of Central Asia. The descendants of the Sogdians (according to linguistic data) are considered to be the Yagnobis; Saka tribes played an important role in the formation of the Pamir Tajiks. In the second century BC, the Yuezhi, or Tocharians, which included Saka tribes, penetrated into Bactria. With the formation of the Turkic Khaganate in the 6th century, the penetration of Turkic ethnic elements into Central Asia intensified.
By the time of the Arab conquest (8th century), three main ethnic regions of the future Tajik nation had emerged: Sogdian in the north, Ferghana in the northeast and Tocharian in the south, the population of which for many centuries retained distinctive features in culture and way of life. The Arab invasion slowed down the formation of the Tajik people. But with the formation of the independent Samanid state in the 9th-10th centuries, the process of formation of the ethnic core of the Tajiks was completed, which was associated with the spread of the common Tajik language, which became dominant in the Samanid era. Tajik culture and science are developing in this language, and a rich literature is being formed. Since the end of the 10th century, political dominance in Central Asia passes to the Turkic-speaking peoples, new waves of Turkic, and later Mongolian tribes penetrate into the areas of the settled Tajik population; The centuries-long process of Turkization of Tajiks began, especially on the plains, and to a lesser extent in the mountains and big cities. However, the Tajik language not only survived, but was also the state language of the Turkic rulers. In 1868, the northern regions inhabited by Tajiks became part of Russia's possessions, while the population of southern Tajikistan remained under the rule of the Bukhara Emirate.
The original occupation of the Tajiks was agriculture, based largely on artificial irrigation, and gardening; cattle breeding was of an auxiliary nature. Tajiks have developed crafts, including artistic ones, many of which had ancient traditions (wood and alabaster carving, decorative embroidery). The Tajik people developed in close connection with other peoples of Central Asia. The medieval history of Tajiks and Uzbeks - peoples with common ethnic elements - is especially close. As you can see in modern encyclopedias, the history of the emergence of Tajiks
It's written almost exactly the same.

And now I will trace the history of the emergence of the Tajik people according to my historical atlas and based on the information I collected. I'll start with deep antiquity, which many modern historians do not recognize.
17 million years ago, the largest continent on Earth was Lemuria, it was located on the site of the modern Indian Ocean. The western part of Lemuria included the modern island of Magadascar, the northern tip of Lemuria was modern Ceylon, the extreme eastern tip of Lemuria was the area around modern Easter Island. The southern coast of Lemuria was the coast of Antarctica. There were no other large continents on Earth or they existed in the form of small islands. Even Tibet was an island in those days. The Pamirs and the territory of modern Tajikistan did not exist - there was an ocean in this place. Lemuria was inhabited by the first people on earth - the first human race - the Asuras. Their civilization was very highly developed. Later peoples were even called gods or demigods. These were tall people (up to 16-36 meters, and later up to 6 meters).
By 4 million years ago, the main part of Lemuria went under the waters of the Indian Ocean. By this time, the continent, which included Tibet, had expanded due to the appearance of mountains - the Himalayas and Tibet, as well as a small part of northern India. By this time, the asuras were already smaller (up to 4 meters). From the continent going under water, some of the asuras, who by this time can already be called descendants of the asuras, began to move to the newly emerging continents - East Africa, South Asia, Australia and Guinea, and the islands of Indonesia.
1 million years ago on Earth the largest continent was the continent of Atlantis, it was located in the Atlantic Ocean, other continents had not yet been fully formed. Asuras continued to move to eastern Africa, southern South Asia, Australia, Guinea, and the islands of Indonesia.
From 400 thousand years BC, and especially quickly from 199 thousand years BC, the continent of Atlantis began to sink under the waters of the ocean, by which time modern continents had already been largely formed. Therefore, the migration of peoples (descendants of the Atlanteans) to modern continents began with Atlantis. At the same time, the continent of South Asia united with the continent of North Asia, and a vast territory appeared around the Pamirs. But even in those days, the territory of Turkmenistan, the northern part of Uzbekistan, and southern Kazakhstan were under the water of a large sea, which included both the Caspian and Aral Seas. Most likely, the first inhabitants appeared on the territory of Tajikistan at this time - these were the descendants of the asuras. They were already short in stature (degraded, feral asuras). Their appearance was similar to modern Australian aborigines and Papuans. These were the ancient Australoids. In addition to them, ancient great apes, Pithecanthropus, also lived in these places.
By 79 thousand years BC, the territory of Central Asia was already approximately similar to the modern one, only the Caspian and Aral seas were larger. And the rivers of the Aral Sea have already appeared. There are more inhabitants (Australoids), but still few. By this time, Pithecanthropus was replaced by a new species of ancient monkeys - Neanderthals, similar to humans because they constantly walked on two legs, but they were still monkeys.
The few tribes living in Tajikistan at that time were related to the tribes of the Soan archaeological culture that existed at that time in Northern India (Australoids).
From 38 thousand years ago, the mass settlement of the descendants of the Atlanteans throughout Eurasia began,
But the main flow (Turanian tribes) passed mainly from Europe to East Asia, to the territory around the sea (in place of the Gobi Desert there was a sea). And it is unlikely that any of the Turans participated in the settlement of Tajikistan. Australoid tribes still lived there and there were few of them.
The first wave of settlers from Eastern Europe to Central Asia began around 17,500 BC. These were the tribes of the Kostenki culture, who were under pressure from other tribes in Europe. The Kostenki culture was formed from a mixture of Australoids who lived approximately in the modern Voronezh region (Grimaldi race) and the Caucasoid Seletian culture. The tribes of the Kostenki culture were the creators of a new people - the Dravidians (a transitional people between Caucasians and Australoids).
By 14500 BC, the Dravidians populated (en masse) the entire territory of modern Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Around 7500 BC, the archaeological culture of Ali-Kosh was formed on the vast territory of Central Asia and Iran. This is the Dravidian culture. They also engaged in hunting, gathering, and fishing.
Around 6500 BC, the Gissar culture developed on the territory of Tajikistan,
The tribes of this culture were also Dravidoid. In the rest of Central Asia, by about 5700 BC, the Jeitun culture had developed (these are also Dravidians).
By about 4100 BC, the developed culture of Anau had developed on the territory of Central Asia, this was an agricultural culture and they were also Dravidians.
By about 2800 BC, a more developed culture had developed on the territory of Central Asia - the Altyn-Depe culture, the people of this culture (also Dravidians) had already begun to build urban settlements, crafts, agriculture and livestock breeding were developing.
From about 1900 BC. the tribes of the ancient Aryans (ancient Iranians and Indians) began their movement from the steppes of the Southern Urals and Kazakhstan to the south - to the territory of Central Asia.
Around 1500 BC, tribes of ancient Indians entered the territory of Tajikistan from the north, the Dravidians were destroyed, assimilated or fled to the south - to India (later, on the basis of unification with the ancient Indian population, they would create the Dravidian peoples, who will survive to this day in the south of India).
Around 1300 BC, ancient Iranian tribes invaded and settled on the territory of Tajikistan.
By 1100 BC, most of the territory of Tajikistan was included in the Kairakum archaeological culture (these are ancient Iranian tribes).
By 600 BC, a new Iranian-speaking people had formed on the territory of Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan - the Bactrians, who created their own state - Bactria.
I believe that the Bactrians (and the Bactrian language) became the basis for the formation of the Tajik people (and the Tajik language). To the north of the Bactrians, the Sakas (Iranian tribes) roamed; to the west of the Bactrians lived the Sogdians (an Iranian-speaking people related to the Bactrians). Around 550 BC, Bactria was subjugated to Achaemenid Persia, but this had no effect on the Bactrians or their language. Even the conquest of the territory of Bactria by Alexander the Great did not affect the Bactrians and their language.
Around 250 BC, the territory of Tajikistan was invaded by the Tochar tribes (these are Indo-European tribes who had previously lived in northwestern China and were driven out from there by the Xiongnu tribes (future Huns). One of the Tochar tribes, the Kushans, created a powerful state - the Kushan Empire. The Tocharians and the Bactrians lived together and gradually, the Tocharians adopted the language of the Bactrians. The country was called Tokharistan, but the language remained Bactrian (perhaps it included some Tocharian words).
Around 450 AD, the Hephthalite tribes invaded the territory of Tajikistan (these are Iranian-speaking tribes from Kazakhstan, displaced from there by the Huns). The Hephthalites also created a large state, which also included Afghanistan and North India. The language of the Hephthalites (especially since it is closely related to the language of the Bactrians) did not greatly change the language of the Bactrians.
From about 650, nomadic Turkic tribes began to invade the territory of Tajikistan from the north. But if by 1100 the related people Sogdians completely lost their language, and the Sogdians themselves turned into a Turkic people, the Bactrians (future Tajiks) lived together with the Turks and retained their language, especially in large cities and mountainous areas. Later this language became Tajik (perhaps several Turkic words came into it).
By 1200, the Tajik language and the Tajik people were finally formed, almost simultaneously with it the Turkic people - the Turkmens, and a related people - the Pashtuns (in Afghanistan) were formed. But I think that the Tajiks who now live in the mountainous regions speak a little differently than the valley Tajiks; the mountain Tajiks probably retained more words from the Bactrians.