Culture and history

The historical core of Tajikistan is associated with Sogdiana and the Samanid era, when the Perso-Tajik language and classical written culture were entrenched.

The mountainous regions of the Pamirs retained unique ritual and musical forms, and urban folklore and shashmak developed in the Ferghana Valley and the Bukhara-Samarkand area.

Ikata weaving (satin/adras), embroidery, carpet weaving and jewelry crafts are sustainable craft codes.

In the XX century, Soviet modernization brought industrialization, mass education and Russian-Tajik bilingualism.

After 1991, the country went through a difficult period of formation, returning attention to national symbols, Navruz traditions and the development of cultural tourism.

Today, identity relies on a combination of Iranian cultural heritage, mountainous communal traditions, and a modern urban lifestyle.