Uzbekistan Photography

Along the Silk Route, on the edge of the Kara Kum Desert, is KHIVA. The  towering mud baked walls enclosing the old town are as old as the city itself.  Within the walls spectacular architecture resonates the style and famed  blue tile found within other important cities on the silk route.   Passing through the main gate (the arrival point for earlier caravans) is to step back in time. 

Khiva is also a living city with some 2000 people living within the walls of old town. The streets are alive with celebrations (wedding processions and such),  Families and sometimes groups from nearby villages come to visit and  pray at the mosques. Others are working in the bazar selling locally made handcrafts - specialities are woodworking and carpet weaving. 

All photographs ©Barbara Nelson Photography

Old Town Khiva
Monument
Kiva Old Town
Walls of Khiva
Wedding procession in Khiva old town
Wedding Procession
Bakers in old town Khiv
Baking Bread
Old town Khiva
Small house in old town Khiva
Old town Khiva
Men talking by old wall


Khiva old town
Khiva old Town


Village people welcome
Village near Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Traveling along the historic silk route from the mountains of Fergana Valley to the desert's edge near Khiva we see and photograph the stunning  beauty and monumental scale of Uzbekistan's unmatched mosques, madrassas and mausoleums. The friendliness and hospitality in the villages I visit along the way are  most memorable.  Some times tea is offered, other times a meal (all freshly cooked) with the traditional bread/non fresh from a tandoor oven.  

The houses are often courtyard style - walled with a courtyard in the middle for growing fruit trees, vegetables , flowers, a sitting area for eating. For sleeping separate rooms on each side  which open into the courtyard.  A separate area for chickens, sheep, and goats. Often two generations will live together. 

Village near Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Girl with Dimple
Taskent Village girl


Swaddling the baby
Traditional baby basket
Village near Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Preparing lunch 

All photographs © Barbara Nelson Photography

Bukhara, about 2500 years old, is one of the oldest cities in the world.  For centuries it was the crossroads of the ancient world as East met West to trade goods and most likely exchange ideas of philosophy and other interests in those times.  The welfare of Bukhara had depended on trade and craft for centuries.  Now in the 21st century, they continue to produce beautiful handmade arts & crafts, traditional folk dances and music. 

All photographs © Barbara Nelson Photography

Regional dancers of Uzbekistan
Folk Dancers


Needle crafts of Uzbekistan
Embroidery on hand made fabric
Hand crafts
weaving
hand crafts
Ikat
handmade headwear
hats of wool and felt
needlework
embroidery with hook