The city of Chust is located in the northern corner of Fergana Valley, about 40km west of Namangan. This city is well known for its handmade knives. The craft has been handed down through generations of blacksmiths. Known locally as pichak, each knife serves a different purpose such as hunting, cutting meat, cutting veg, peeling fruit etc.
The Chust knife and scabbard made of leather we bought as a souvenir at Chust bazaar.
The knife has the inscription reading "Chust" with stars and crescent and the year it was made (ie. 2013). It also came with a piece of note detailing the info of the blacksmith who forged it.
Chust knives have handles made of horns or bones and decorated with simple embroided patterns.
They are distinguished by the upward curve at the tip of the blade and the downward curve at the end of the handle. This design have remained largely the same as when it first appeared in the 15th century. The blade last for years and apparently can be quickly sharpened against the bottom of a china drinking bowl.
A knife is seen as a talisman protecting the owner from evil and each Uzbek man would have had one on him.
We also bought a melon and this bread with meat filling.
Our dinner tonight - omelette with rice and potatoes, fried chicken and soup.
After dinner, we headed west again to Namangan.
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The Chust knife and scabbard made of leather we bought as a souvenir at Chust bazaar.
The knife has the inscription reading "Chust" with stars and crescent and the year it was made (ie. 2013). It also came with a piece of note detailing the info of the blacksmith who forged it.
Chust knives have handles made of horns or bones and decorated with simple embroided patterns.
They are distinguished by the upward curve at the tip of the blade and the downward curve at the end of the handle. This design have remained largely the same as when it first appeared in the 15th century. The blade last for years and apparently can be quickly sharpened against the bottom of a china drinking bowl.
A knife is seen as a talisman protecting the owner from evil and each Uzbek man would have had one on him.
We also bought a melon and this bread with meat filling.
Our dinner tonight - omelette with rice and potatoes, fried chicken and soup.
After dinner, we headed west again to Namangan.
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Fertile Fergana Valley on the way to Namangan.
Three little siblings peering out of their apartment window at Namangan
Namangan
The bridge over Narin River outside Namangan. At this point the P112 road to Baliqchi was closed and we had to make a short detour to get to Andijon.
River or bridge diving legs first, in rural Uzbekistan
Bathing time ...common activity in Uzbekistan...in all the Stans ..in fact...
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Andijan
Brunch near Andijan
Hearty breakfast..
It's our last few hours in Uzbekistan.. we are less than 40km away from the border with Kyrgyzstan.
It's our last few hours in Uzbekistan.. we are less than 40km away from the border with Kyrgyzstan.
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