Baysun - Experience Ancient Traditions
Do you wish to travel into time that will transfer you to a forbidden territory that keeps the memory of culture of Greek and Baktrian and Kushan kingdoms that fell into oblivion of heathen ceremonies of fire-worshippers, and shaman cults?
Trade caravans traveled here through Iron Gates in narrow mountain canyon for thousands years. Armies of Alexander the Great, Chengiz Khan, Tamerland passed through this area.
Cave Teshiktash, where remains of Neanderthal people were found is well known around the world. Rock paintings of "magical bull-hunting" of Mesolite Era may be seen nearby in Kohitang Mountains . All these are BAYSUN.
In just two hours drive from Termez towards the Baysun Mountains , one can find himself in totally different world, where centuries old local customs and culture of local people remained almost unchanged.
Names of villages such as Rabat , Derbend, Padang , Kofirun sound like a magical music that promises a travel into fairy tale. You can get there after crossing the hot desert scopes at foothills of Baysun Mountains . Walnut, plane tree groves are superseded by "archa" forests. Alpine glades that cover the land as an emerald carpet please the eyes by bright verdure. Crystal water of mountain rivers crates a specific microclimate that affects everything living. In spring dekhkans (peasants) cultivate the land by using the method of their ancestors: they lay the furrows leaning on the plow set with a horse. And this is not exotics, but a real life.
People of Baysun decorate their homes with colorful "suzane" (embroidered coverlets), homespun carpets, that are light, strong and warm, and dresses and shoes are with fancy embroidery. Painted ceramic table were can be seen on tables and wall carved trunks.
In the backyard of every house there is a "tandir" - a clay oven where the traditional flat bread is baked. Flour used in breads is made of grain grown locally and processed manually or using water mills. Blacksmiths who still make various tools, instruments, utensils and jewelry for local residents are will known for their skills. In general, lifestyle of Baysun people preserves the traditional way of life. Each family, makhalla (neighborhood or block), village cautiously keep handicraft traditions, culture of domestic self governance and family ceremonies and pass them on from generation to generation.
The most remarkable thing is that Baysun is neither a myth nor theatrical performance of past days. Nor it is fantasy. This is reality. It is an island where traditional lifestyle has been preserved.
Any special event that is holiday, birthday or death, is carried out using certain ritual ceremonies that are filled with specific meaning and keep the echoes of heathen creeds. Alpamish, a heroic epic poem was composed in the very place, amidst Uzbek kin kungrat, using the folk songs. Folk traditions of Baysun people are truly unique. This was recognized by the world community as well. Folk songs, dances, legends, costumes, handicrafts here make up the natural lifestyle of local people. People, nature and the space merged together to crate a beautiful harmony of the being. That's why at the end of May in 2002, the First Open Folk Festival "Boysun Bahori" was held in the ancient land of Baysun . Popular singers and artists gathered here to perform to the public ceremonial songs and dances. Guests from many countries of the world took part in the festival. They got a unique experience to see in Surkhan oasis the careful and respectful attitude to cultural and spiritual wealth of Uzbek people. |
