The southern part of Uzbekistan remains largely untrodden by tourist groups, and the folklore of these areas has reached us in its archaic forms. And although the international "Boysun Spring" festival usually takes place here in May, visiting the region during Nowruz means immersing yourself in a riot of colors and feeling the energy of awakening nature.
When the region is mentioned, a Suzani embroidery with its contrasting colors and solar signs comes to mind, along with the headdress called bosh and seemingly angular shoulder movements, and also — the chesty, drawn-out song of a storyteller against a mountain backdrop.
The unique flavor of the ethnic clothing, music, and dances of Surkhandarya, the ancient tradition of the bakhshi — all this is the carefully preserved heritage of the region's ethnically diverse population. While in other regions, folk traditions are sometimes "reassembled" to suit the simple tastes of tourists, Baysun presents its own in the full-bloodedness of their contemporary existence: these are forms of musical and oral folk art, and above all — costume.
The Nowruz holiday is a pre-Zoroastrian tradition that originated and flourished here, in the land of epic mountain landscapes, scorching sun, and green steppes. Therefore, the symbolism in Baysun's culture is a mystery for the casual visitor and invaluable material for the researcher.
Baysun folklore preserves many echoes of the pagan era, having absorbed the traditions of the settled and nomadic tribes and peoples who lived here, enriching its heritage to an incredibly vivid expressiveness and life-affirming aesthetics in everything—dances, decorative and applied arts, oral creativity, and sports games.
Traditionally and obligatorily, participants from all districts of the region gather for the festival, having prepared for at least a year to showcase all the best of what they can do. And, once again, to extol the richness of their local culture.
This time, special attention was paid to children's amateur activities — the inheritors of traditions — and amateur sports: gymnastics, tennis, wrestling. Young masters presented their creations, which could be purchased as souvenirs: woodwork, dolls, and keepsakes.
Last year, the celebration in the center of Baysun, at the park of the same name "Nowruz," lasted only an hour and a half. Yet, in that short time, I saw so many beautiful girls in national costumes, folk singers, amateur ensembles, and young athletes! Each district presented something unique—such an abundance of colors makes it impossible to remain indifferent.
All the guests at the celebration were also dressed in their finest and most festive attire.
Ildar Sadykov
From the amphitheater, the festivities spill out onto the streets of Baysun, continuing in cafes and festively decorated homes. Sumalak, prepared over a full day as tradition demands, flows like a river.
The equinox has been met, spring has established its rights, and people are facing a challenging period of agricultural work. But the people of Surkhandarya are of astonishing vitality. It seems they have unabashedly borrowed fiery colors for their garments from the scorching sun and learned to generously warm others with their own warmth and love of life.