Wishing bride prosperity and wellbeing. Lachak dressing ceremony

Sisters-in-law wishing wellbeing for bride putting couple of bread on the head of the bride.

Uzbek bride.

‘Kelin salom’ performance by Khakima Ghoyibnazarova (sister-in-law), Nozima Mallaboeva (Bride), Nasiba Sotivoldieva Singer of wedding song.

‘Kelin salom’ performance during 'Guli arg’uvon' Festivity in Ferghana.

‘Kelin salom’ performance during “Qo’qon yor-yori” Folklore Ensemble during Sumalak festivity in Qo’qon.

‘Kelin salom’ performance “Qo’qon yor-yori” Folklore Ensemble during Sumalak festivity in Qo’qon.

Verse-reciting process. ‘Kelin salom’ performance during “Qo’qon yor-yori” Folklore Ensemble during Sumalak festivity in Qo’qon.

‘Kelin salom’ performance during 'Guli arghuvon' Festivity in Ferghana.

‘Kelin salom’ performance during 'Guli arghuvon' Festivity in Ferghana.

‘Kelin salom’ performance during 'Guli arg’uvon' Festivity in Ferghana.

During cooking of Sumalak each person should stir from time to time the cauldron making good wishes.

During cooking of Sumalak each person should stir from time to time the cauldron making good wishes.

During cooking of Sumalak national songs are performed. “Qo’qon yor-yori” Folklore Ensemble.

During cooking of Sumalak national songs are performed. “Qo’qon yor-yori” Folklore Ensemble.

During cooking of Sumalak national songs are performed. “Qo’qon yor-yori” Folklore Ensemble.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements of Ferghana Valley: Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events One of the most ancient cultural locations of Uzbekistan is the Ferghana Valley, which is especially attractive for its peculiar social practices, customs, rituals and folklore song traditions. 1. Shombarak Event The term shombarak means ‘evening welcome’, the name given to the process of taking the bride to the groom’s house. The event is conducted as follows: After the groom puts on the wedding clothes sent by the bride, he goes to the bride’s house accompanied by his friends. Meanwhile, at the bride’s house, the bride’s relatives and neighbours gather and wait for the groom’s arrival. When the groom and his friends are seen from afar, two to three boys go into the bride’s house shouting, ‘The groom is coming’. Shortly thereafter, the groom and his friends, singers, and musicians walk into the house dancing and singing the song ‘Shombarak’. In Shahrikhon, the song is performed in Uzbek and Tajik languages. In addition, after the groom and his friends enter, they also sing folk songs ‘Hay Yor Do‘st, Aylanaman’ (Hey Beloved Friend, I am Enchanted) and ‘Vohay Bola’ (Hey, Guy). In the Asaka District, events connected with conducting a wedding party were studied. The customs associated with the groom’s arrival were recorded. These include laying a cloth under the feet of the groom, spreading a kerchief in front of him (a tradition called ‘blocking the road’), presenting a knife to the bride’s young brother, throwing candies over bride’s head, and singing the song ‘Deydiyo’. 2. Lachak Event Lachak is another wedding-related event, which takes place when the bride is leaving her family home to join her new husband. The bride's relatives and her mother-in-law attend the lachak event. During a special ceremony that takes place during the lachak, the bride wears a lachak scarf and receives presents from her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. Following the gift-giving ceremony, a number of folksongs are performed, including yor-yor and lapar songs. When the bride is ready to leave, two breads are laid on her head to express wishes of fertility and prosperity. Then the bride bows to each present while the song `Kelin Salom' is performed. Thereafter, the bride is seen off to groom's house accompanied by a yor-yor song. Through practicing the lachak event, a number of folk songs and practices in Ferghana Valley are preserved.