Domains on a national level: food in Tajik national inventory
Article 2.2: The ‘intangible cultural heritage‘ (...) is manifested (...) inter alia
in the following domains’ (...)
Cultural space of Boysun District (Uzbekistan)
Numerous traditional rituals are still alive in the Boysun District: on the eve of the spring festival of Navruz, for instance, a sowing ritual is held with offerings of food. Family rites also persist: 40 days after a birth, the evil spirits are chased away with fire and ashes; the circumcision of boys is accompanied by goat fights and various games, such as wrestling and horse races. Ancient practices are still often used to conduct wedding ceremonies, funeral rites and shamanistic rituals to cure the sick. Among other popular traditions are ritual chants linked to annual festivals, epic legends and dances. ...
Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan)
Aitysh/Aitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra or Kyrgyz komuz. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections.
The element is practised on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues.
