History and Culture

Dive deep into the rich history and diverse cultures of Central Asia.

The Mystical Sufi Trails of Central Asia: Understanding Shrines and Ziyarat

History and Culture

By Alim Alimov

The Mystical Sufi Trails of Central Asia: Understanding Shrines and Ziyarat

Visit the Naqshband shrine near Bukhara and Yasawi mausoleum in Kazakhstan with context: pilgrimage, architectural patronage and respectful visitor practice.

Ancient Paper of Samarkand: Mulberry Bark, Water and a Revived Craft

History and Culture

By Alim Alimov

Ancient Paper of Samarkand: Mulberry Bark, Water and a Revived Craft

See how mulberry bark becomes handmade paper at Konigil, understand the modern revival and discover what the name silk paper actually means.

The Legendary Fergana Horses: What the Heavenly Steeds Really Tell Us

History and Culture

By Alim Alimov

The Legendary Fergana Horses: What the Heavenly Steeds Really Tell Us

Explore the Han dynasty's fascination with Ferghana horses, the blood-sweating description and why modern breed identifications remain uncertain.

Astrology and Power: How Ulugh Beg Measured the Stars in Samarkand

History and Culture

By Alim Alimov

Astrology and Power: How Ulugh Beg Measured the Stars in Samarkand

Discover the measurements, collaborators and instruments behind Ulugh Beg's star catalogue, and what to look for at Samarkand's observatory.

Traditional Gold Embroidery of Bukhara: Zarduzi and the Royal Workshop

Emotions

By Alim Alimov

Traditional Gold Embroidery of Bukhara: Zarduzi and the Royal Workshop

Discover Bukhara’s zarduzi gold-thread embroidery through court workshops, velvet garments, specialist techniques and the artisans keeping the craft alive.

The Art of Uzbek Puppetry: Characters, Craft and the Bazaar Stage

Emotions

By Alim Alimov

The Art of Uzbek Puppetry: Characters, Craft and the Bazaar Stage

Explore Uzbek puppet-making and popular performance through the puppets themselves, stagecraft and comic characters, without overstating a single origin story.

The Ritual of Bakhshi Storytelling: Epic Bards, Music and Memory

Emotions

By Alim Alimov

The Ritual of Bakhshi Storytelling: Epic Bards, Music and Memory

Meet the bakhshi tradition through epic dostons, music, memory and performance, with guidance on respectfully attending a live storytelling event.

The Alchemy of Fergana Pottery: How Rishtan’s Blue Ceramics Are Made

Emotions

By Alim Alimov

The Alchemy of Fergana Pottery: How Rishtan’s Blue Ceramics Are Made

Go inside Rishtan’s blue ceramics through clay, mineral and plant-ash glaze, firing and the master-apprentice workshop tradition.

Folk Music and Instruments: The Dutar, Doira and Living Sound of Uzbekistan

Emotions

By Alim Alimov

Folk Music and Instruments: The Dutar, Doira and Living Sound of Uzbekistan

Meet the dutar and doira through their sound, roles and regional styles, with tips for enjoying a live Uzbek music performance respectfully.

Suzani Embroidery: Reading the Stories in Uzbekistan’s Stitched Patterns

Emotions

By Alim Alimov

Suzani Embroidery: Reading the Stories in Uzbekistan’s Stitched Patterns

Learn how to look at Suzani embroidery through its stitches, regional styles and makers, without treating every flower or sun motif as a fixed secret code.

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