23
Traditions are the memory of a people (1)
Textbook pp. 64–69
GoalKnow what a tradition is and that crafts (pottery, decorated plates) are one form of tradition.
New words
tradition · an’anageneration · avlodpotter · kulolpattern, ornament · naqsh
Explanation
The Uzbek word an’ana (tradition) comes from Arabic; it means customs and rules passed from older to younger people, from one generation to the next. We see traditions in customs, national clothes, food and crafts. Adults teach what they know to the young, so our past lives on today. Pottery is famous in Uzbekistan: potters shape dishes from clay, fire them in a kiln and decorate them with patterns. Plates (lagan) from places such as Rishton, G‘ijduvon, Andijon, Urgut, Shahrisabz, Khorezm and Bukhara differ in patterns and colours. In the past a plate was not only a dish but also a home decoration.
Worked examples
“Grandfather’s workshop”. In the holiday Samira visited her grandfather’s pottery workshop. He showed her how the clay is kneaded and how the wheel turns. Samira made a small bowl and painted a blue pattern on it. Her grandfather said: “I learned this pattern from my father too.” Samira saw with her own eyes how a tradition is passed on.
Class activity
“My plate”: children draw a circle (plate) and colour their own pattern; then a wall display is made and the meaning of the patterns is told.
Practice
1
What is a tradition?
Rules and values passed from generation to generation
2
Where can we see traditions? Give two examples.
For example: national dishes, crafts, holidays
3
What was a plate used for in the old days?
As a dish and as a home decoration