Day 5 Blacksmiths' museum -workshop

 

One of the main activities of the Bukhara museum-preserve is to revive and support traditional Bukharan handicraft.

In 1992, the blacksmiths' museum-workshop, the only one of its type in Uzbekistan, was set up in the 16th - century Kulyuta karavansarai.

The museum-workshop is a living museum. Not only could one learn there the history of the ancient blacksmith's craft, but also participate in making blacksmith products.

Usto Shokir Kamolov, who comes of a family of blacksmiths, is the senior researcher of the museum. 

The museum-workshop has swords, knives, arrow-heads, and craftsmen's instruments. The exhibits of major interest are "Risola," blacksmiths' rules (19th c.), chain- mail (17th c.), a warrior's outfit (17th c.), and bellows (17th c.). 

Bukhara was a center of development of handicraft production for many centuries. Nowadays the work of revival the crafts is being actively carried out. It’s blacksmithing, dyeing, silk weaving, wood carving and others. 

Rites of initiation into masters

Young people learn from the masters all the tricks and intricacies and then become masters. There’s particular rites of initiation into masters that is very interested for tourists. This rite takes place in a solemn and festive atmosphere. 

Parents present robe and belt for master, because he has prepared young artists to work independently and adjusted to a positive result. 

Blacksmithing of Bukhara

Initiation rites are also carried out in silk weaving, but in this case the master puts on the disciple robe and ties it with a gauze bandage (about 5-6 meters). In addition, as a sign of blessing, the student receives the tools and material. Moreover, the loom is set in the workshop of a new student.