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| Smoking a water chestnut. Uzbeks, Tadjiks. Samarkand. Photograph by S. Dudin 1902 |
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Central Asia
A new permanent exhibition dedicated to the culture of the peoples of Central Asia and Kazakhstan in the 19th - early 20th centuries opened at the Russian Museum of Ethnography.
Cultural peculiarity of the region was largely defined by coexistence of two different civilizations - sedentary and nomadic ones.
The first part of the exhibition (Room 1) represents traditional urban culture of two sedentary peoples - Uzbeks and Tadjiks who inhabit the central territory of the region - Central Asian Mesopotamia. In the 19th - early 19th centuries in such ancient towns as Bukhara, Samarkand, Khodzhent, Margilant, Khiva, and others these two peoples formed a considerable part of population, had many similar features in ritual and daily life and were mainly engaged in trade and craftwork.
On display at the exhibition are samples of traditional homemade fabrics, products of metal craftsmen - all types of copper vessels with elaborate engraved decor; painted ceramic plates and bowls, refined specimens of jewelry and colorful embroidered pieces. All these objects are shown inside the workshops, dwellings and market shops - in the places which allow presenting them in the context of their existence.
One of the scenes reproduces a rite of initiation of an apprentice of the craft guild into the master: the head of the guild tied a belt round him - a symbol of his new status. As an expression of his gratitude, the apprentice presented his teacher with a set of clothes.
Also in this section one can see an interior of the best room in an urban house in which an ancient ritual of the first putting of a baby into the cradle is shown. This rite was accompanied by magic actions intended to ensure the health and wellbeing of the child.
The unique items at the exhibition are glove and marionette puppets placed in the show-case dedicated to the town entertainments.
On display in one of the sections are the objects related to Islam, among them is a manuscript edition of the Koran on the folded support, a prayer rug, a knife for circumcision, and vessels for ritual oblivion. Of special interest is a robe and attributes of dervishes who were adherents of Sufism - mystic Islamic belief and practice.
Another theme is devoted to the culture of the semi-nomadic Uzbeks, whose main occupations were cattle-breeding and handicrafts connected with wool and skin processing.
Rare articles illustrate peculiar culture of mountain Tadjiks and the peoples of the Pamir area which preserved its archaic features as a result of life in mountain isolation for a long period of time. Among these artifacts are hand-made ceramic plates and dishes, carved wooden utensils, and an inflatable skin bag used when crossing mountainous rivers. Here one can also see unique bridal face veils of mountain Tadjik women, on which ancient magic symbols are embroidered.
Room 2. A visual image of vast steppe space creates a special atmosphere for presentation of the exhibits which give an idea of the traditional culture of the cattle-breeding peoples of the region: the Kazakhs, Turkmen, Karakalpaks, Kirgiz, and others. Its original features were become formed under the influence of mobile lifestyle of the nomads as it is evident from their transportable dwelling - yurt. In the exhibition the construction and coloured interior of a Kazakh yurt is installed. The scene inside the yurt illustrates the receiving of an honor guest. Traditional custom of hospitality is considered the most important norm of etiquette amidst the nomads.
In the section dedicated to the Kirgiz people the exhibits disclose a great importance of nomadic way of life for some peoples of the region. Permanent moving, freedom, spaciousness are the highest values for the nomads, therefore, according to their notions, the terms "to move" and "to live" are inseparable. At the exhibition is shown how Kirgiz nomads prepared to move to another place, drove the cattle, and how they loaded their household effects on the horse.
The traditional culture of the Turkmen is represented by splendid carpets which accompanied a man for all his life. Carpets were the most important components of wedding ceremonies. The exhibition illustrates one of the wedding rituals - arrival of the bride to the groom's house. Here one can see such rare objects as richly ornamented camel trapping, a bridal tent placed on its back, and a bridal dress with a large set of silver ornaments.
The exhibition also includes a wedding costume of a Karakalpak bride, all details of which are unique: the dress decorated with exquisite embroidered design named "pattern of chain mail", and richly ornamented headdress in the shape of ancient helmet.
A special section is dedicated to production of woolen fabrics and felts - those materials which had helped the nomads of the region to survive in severe climate conditions of the mountains and steppes of Eurasian zone.
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