About us

A look at history

Craftsmanship emerged as a result of human production activities, gradually separated from agriculture and animal husbandry during the development of society, improved in connection with the development of technology within the framework of different socio-historical periods, various specialties (pottery, carpentry, blacksmithing, coppersmithing, construction, stonework, (carving, embroidery, tanning, tailoring, weaving, jewelry, tailoring, goldsmithing, painting, etc.) crafts depend on the availability of natural resources, for example, textiles in areas where cotton and cocoons are grown, in areas with high-quality raw materials (for example, in Rishton ) pottery, textile and tanning in many areas of wool and leather, smithing, woodworking in many areas of forests, metal production in areas rich in minerals, mining and blacksmithing, shipbuilding, etc. developed on the sea and river banks, accordingly, social development and labor 3 types of crafts have been formed in connection with the stages of distribution: 1) household crafts; 2) crafts that make products to order; 3) crafts that prepare products for the market.

Home crafts were the most common type of crafts in the Middle Ages. This type of handicraft is an integral part of natural economy. The development of cities is inextricably linked with the rapid growth of the production of handicrafts to order and the production of handicrafts for the market. As a result, craft products became commodities, goods were produced for exchange. With the demands of the times, new types of handicrafts were created. Artisans also began to specialize in the production of various products. Neighborhoods in cities were formed depending on the profession of craftsmen (for example, at the beginning of the 20th century in Tashkent, there were neighborhoods of tanners, potters, saddlers, crib makers, gunsmiths, and blacksmiths). Certain neighborhoods, quarters, cities, and regions began to gain fame with certain handicraft products.

Crafts became more and more involved in commodity-money relations. Uddaburon and busy artisans became owners of capital thanks to the initial accumulation of capital, and small factories and factories were created on the basis of their workshops. Crafts also contributed to the development of industry in European cities (weaving machines were improved, the appearance of blast furnaces in Germany in the middle of the 14th century led to serious changes in metallurgy. Capitalist production relations hit the further development of crafts, many branches of crafts were depressed. Due to the industrial revolution, rapid and cheap mass production of factory, factory products pushed handicraft products out of the market.

In developed countries, only handicraft industries (tailoring, shoemaking, carpet making, jewelry, carving, etc.) that produce individual orders and expensive art objects have survived.

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the widespread introduction of mechanized production, the variety and production volume of handicraft products decreased sharply. During the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, although large-scale industrial production settled down, the position of handicrafts remained. Craftsmanship has its own place in the market, which cannot be occupied by large-scale production due to its small segment, and the demand is individualized. The emergence of mini technology allows the individual and high-quality production of goods in crafts. This includes production and service of national headgear, national musical instruments, small equipment, and various souvenirs. Today’s crafts consist of individual labor activities and family businesses within small businesses.

The production of ceramics and textiles, which are considered the first important branches of handicrafts, appeared on the territory of Uzbekistan in the Neolithic period (Kaltaminor culture in the Khorezm oasis, Sopollitepa in Surkhondarya, etc.). Mil. av. From the 2nd century, the Great Silk Road became important in the trade of handicraft products. In the Middle Ages, the products produced in Eastern countries (steel in the Arab Caliphate, silk, porcelain, paper in Central Asia and India) were appreciated in European markets. In India, fine cotton cloth was created, in China, silk weaving looms appeared, and in China and Central Asia, the technology of making glass was improved.

In the 9th-10th centuries, large craft centers appeared in Central Asia. The production of yarn, carpets (Urganch, Shosh), silk (Marv), copper and iron weapons, knives (Fergana), silk fabrics, glass products (Bukhara) flourished. In the 13th century, the Mongol invasion hit the development of handicrafts. The emergence of the Timurid state had a very positive effect on the development of handicrafts.

All types of crafts in Central Asia were preserved until the 20s of the 20th century. Crafts played a major role in the production relations of cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Ko’kan, Khiva, and Tashkent (for example, in the 60s of the 19th century, 27 types of crafts developed in Khiva, there were 556 shops of craftsmen in the city bazaars, and in the 80s, the city had 2528 handicrafts. engaged).

Handicrafts in Uzbekistan are deeply specialized and combine various professions. For example, in the field of leather processing, tanners, shoemakers, leather workers, shoemakers, saddlers, saddlers, saddlers, furriers, belters; weavers, satin weavers, carpet weavers, rice weavers and felt weavers in the textile sector; in the field of metalworking, there were professions such as blacksmiths, shoemakers, coppersmiths, locksmiths, and jewelers. These defined the network structure of the craft.

As in Muslim workshops in the East, in Uzbekistan, women were engaged in needlework and embroidery while sitting at home. In the social structure of crafts, there were social categories such as master, apprentice and apprentice. The internal procedures and rules of the craft were determined by the “Pamphlets” as its charter. Each profession has its own guide, i.e. piri and “Rishola”, traditions and customs passed from generation to generation are observed. For example, before starting work, the master remembers his elder and asks him for help, and gives blessings to his student.

After Uzbekistan became a Russian colony, handicrafts lost their former status due to the competition of the monopoly industry, but many of its branches were preserved, because it produced goods that satisfied national needs, such as clothes, dishes, various household items, small labor. made weapons and delivered them to the local market. Abroad in ensuring the viability of crafts

In the years of independence, special attention was paid to folk art. The work of the people’s craftsmen gained value. Crafts that had disappeared due to industrialization were revived, special attention was paid to the successors of several hundred-year-old dynasties, master-apprentice schools were established in our cities with craft centers.

“Hunarmand” association of folk craftsmen, craftsmen and artists of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established in order to further develop national crafts and practical art, support folk craftsmen, and adequately encourage their work. The association, which was established on the basis of the Decree of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov dated March 31, 1997 No. 1741 “On measures to support the development of folk arts and crafts by means of the state”, was initially part of the scientific production center “Musavvir” (1997 -2008). On May 5, 2008, the association was re-registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the number P-265 as a non-governmental, non-commercial republican organization.

Regarding the activity of the association

The creation of the” Craftsman ” Association was an important step in the development of crafts in mamalakatım, the restoration of unique and lost crafts, the worthy assessment of the work of our artisans who are creating a work of art by manual labor using existing resources, the demonstration of the samples of artistic creation they created not only in our country, but also in foreign countries, creating conditions Over the years, about 22,000 artisans have become members of the association. This figure is increasing from year to year.

Our craftsmen have achieved success in the fields of tinning, ganching, wood carving, jewelry, sericulture, embroidery and candlelight. More than 50 types of patterns were revived in the Zoroastrian direction alone. As a result of research on the coloring of fabrics made of silk and cotton, threads designed for weaving embroidery and carpets, pottery and tinting products, technologies for obtaining natural color from plants were created.

Today, each area is available to a variety of craft schools such as Zoroastrianism, jewellery, misery, blacksmithing, miniature, embroidery, pottery. These schools developed further in the years of independence, teaching young people the secrets of the craft of our masters-craftsmen, grandmothers and mothers, who continue to practice them from generation to generation. These trades are continued by the successors of the dynasties.

Our craftsmen organize “Master-Apprentice” schools in their workshops and teach many young people the secrets of their craft.

Under the Andijan Regional Department of the Union “craftsman” of Uzbekistan, national puppet production enterprise was established, under the Department “craftsman” of Parkent District of Tashkent region, under the National carpet weaving, sewing shop for needlework, under the Department “craftsman” of Denov District of Surkhandarya region, carpet and door-frame production workshops were established. In the Khovos District of Syrdarya region, the activity of a mini-factory for sewing floral printed fabrics and choked items has been established. By Order of the mayor of Samarkand 214–K of the Samarkand regional administration of the Association, the “Samarkand crafts center” was established (2010). Today, Habib Turdialiev (naqqosh), Zarif Mukhtorov (Samarkand paper), Babomurod Haydarov (master of instruments), Nutfillo Saidov (kandokor), Mavluda Hamdamova (kashtadooz), Jamol Esanov (woodcarver), Bahrom Berdiev (kulol), Khudoyberdi Haqberdiev (kulol), Oybek Tillaev (jeweler)are active in the “Samarkand crafts center”. A permanent exhibition of handicrafts has been organized in marakaz.

President Of The Republic Of Uzbekistan Sh. According to Mirziyoev’s decision PQ–2699 of December 27, 2016, the main plays of handicraft activities, a 34-way list of types of goods and goods (works, services) produced by craftsmen were approved. Our artisans have also been granted looting privileges regarding the removal of handicrafts to foreign countries, including the exemption from the 24-way handicrafts examination fee based on the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated April 26, 2017 No. 245. Our craftsmen take advantage of these benefits in a worthy way and participate in international festivals, exhibitions and competitions with the products they produce. Taking into account the interest of foreigners in the production of our National Handicrafts in foreign countries as well and the products created by our artisans, more than 100 crafts of our artisans have been exhibited in about 30 countries of the world. The participation of our craftsmen in many prestigious exhibitions and festivals taking place on a global scale is ensured. The worthy participation of our masters and craftsmen in these events was recognized by the organizers, who were awarded diplomas, certificates and honorary labels. Personal exhibitions of about ten of our artisans have been organized. Every year, more than 10 members of the association receive grant funds from the foundation for the support of NGOs and other institutions of civil society under the House of Commons and spend on the development of their activities.

Craftsmen who make decent use of such benefits are actively participating in events and various competitions held on the occasion of Navruz, Independence holidays (annual “initiative” competition for the Presidential Prize; exhibitions “young creators”, “master-apprentice”; festivals “people’s applied arts of Uzbekistan – through the eyes of the world”, “artisans who have lost their breath of Independence”, “people’s consumer goods exhibition trade”, “Republican exhibition of young people”, “independent country craftsmen”, “Silk and spices”, “Atlas; Contests such as” my contribution to the development of my homeland”,” the prospect of a country”,” young entrepreneur – an educator for a country”,” the most active young specialist of the year”,” my business idea”).

The decree of our honored President of November 17, 2017 “on measures for the further development of crafts and the comprehensive support of artisans”opened the door to more extensive opportunities for creating conditions for people engaged in family entrepreneurship, crafts. This historical document, together with bringing folk applied art to a new level, stimulated an increase in the income of the population. Embroidery, jewelry, carving, Zoroastrianism, sculpture, which has long been the product of the work of our people, artisan and creative, has made not only people who live in this land, but the whole world a Roman. The provision of preferential loans to the members of the “Craftsman” Association in this decree has increased the role and prestige of the association as well as serving the development of the industry.

Indeed, a craftsman will never be inferior. The fact that their activities are supported in every possible way by our state due to the opportunities created by independence contributes to the preservation and development of the rich cultural heritage of our people, paving the way for the creation of new types of handicrafts and ensuring the continuity of the traditions of the “master-disciple”. An ordinary college graduate, who has learned to make an item from his mentor, will start working independently on his own tomorrow, forming a new business entity and earning income. He also teaches the secrets of the field to his disciples. Here is a proof of how vital the self-decree is, that it contributes to ensuring that people live a comfortable life. In a word, the decree is gaining importance as it contributes to the further development of the production of National Handicrafts.

This decree and decision, in turn, impose a number of important tasks and enormous responsibilities on you.It is our main goal to ensure its implementation in a timely manner, to justify the confidence expressed by our state in the implementation of the established tasks and to appreciate the high attention shown, to diligently fulfill our duty to our people. Our main tasks are to preserve the Uzbek folk crafts and practical art created and created as a result of centuries of creative work of our people, to bring them to the next generations, to cultivate their aesthetic taste by teaching young people, and to educate them as people of high culture.

It is known that in our country, our ancestors, who have long been actively engaged in many types of this field, our people studied the craft, created various ingenious objects, made pendants in everyday life, thereby raising the level of value for making people with their own labor. As a result of the fact that one direction or another of crafts became the main occupation of representatives of the same family, a dynasty of skilled craftsmen arose. In places, specific schools are formed. Today in our country there are 34 directions of crafts.