The Uzbeks are a Turkic ethnic group native to Central Asia, historically known as the great urbanizers and merchants of the Silk Road. They are the most populous ethnic group in the region. In Uzbekistan they make up approximately 85% of the country's population (around 32 million people).
Silk Road Heritage: Unlike their historically nomadic neighbors (like the Kazakhs or Kyrgyz), Uzbeks have a long tradition of settled urban life and irrigated agriculture. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are the historic centers of their civilization.
Gastronomy: The national dish is palov (or pilaf), a rice dish cooked with meat, carrots, and spices that is recognized as UNESCO heritage. They are also famous for their circular bread called non.
Craftsmanship: They are masters of silk weaving (atlas and adras), blue Rishtan ceramics, and suzani embroidery.
Language: They speak Uzbek, a Turkic language from the Karluk branch (closely related to Uyghur). In Uzbekistan, the transition from the Cyrillic to the Latin alphabet is being finalized.
Religion: Most are Sunni Muslims (Hanafi school), with a culture heavily influenced by Sufism.
Photo Gallery: © Jordi Zaragozà Anglès / Uzbekistan - 2003
Extended info about Uzbek People