Schools of traditional craftsmanship of Ferghana valley (on the example of Shakhrikhan school of knife)

Uzbek folk applied art is unique in terms of variety, color and Ethnography. If we say that the rich cultural heritage of the Uzbeks and extensive opportunities for in-depth study of the traditions of the people's practical craftsmanship began in the period of independence, then it is impossible to overestimate.

The First President of the republic of Uzbekistan I.A.Karimov noted: "We should all learn to be in an avant-garde attitude to the culture swings that have always allowed the broad population layers to enjoy the best examples of both classical and modern national culture. It is not accidental that great successes have been achieved in the fields of music, fine, monumental and Applied Art in Uzbekistan. The broad promotion and popularization of the best examples of national and world culture should be the basis for the spiritual education of the younger generation, our current youth”[1]. The issue of ethnologically recording and studying the traditional centers of folk art, masters, items, artistic traditions, which are currently in the field of folk applied art, is becoming more relevant today not only in Uzbekistan, but also in the international community. Therefore, scientific research of traditional craftsmanship, its history, artistic and technological features of craftsmanship of some centers and regions, as well as deep study of them as an ethnological source, identification of folk Masters and traditions of endangered craftsmanship and on this basis the process of restoration and development of its unique traditions is one of the actual tasks so, Uzbek folk, the study of issues that need to be addressed in the field of development is considered to have an incredibly important place in the field of Ethnology. Accordingly, the existing problems and obstacles on the way to the development of the craftsmanship should be eliminated with a view to fully preserve and enrich the rich cultural and historical traditions of the peoples of Uzbekistan, to support the craftsmanship on a large scale and to engage in the craftsmanship of the population, especially young people. , in order to encourage the attraction of women and low-income families, the decree of the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan “on measures for the further development of handicraft and comprehensive support of artisans” was adopted on November 17, 2017[2].

The actual task of studying the types of knife - making in Uzbekistan and the city of Shakhrikhan, which have been preserved to this day, as well as samples of folk applied art, in particular items related to knife-making, their artistic features, technology styles and their role in today's life, their storage, restoration, activities of the Master-apprentice schools, is considered an urgent task. The development of the market and trade in Shakhrikhan and the rise to the level of the international market paved the way for the rapid development of craftsmanship here. The migration of many artisans from Kokand and its environs, Andijan, Ferghana, Namangan, other cities of Central Asia to Shakhrikhan further accelerates this process. Here, especially ceramics, knifemaking, shelf-setting, tanning, silk-making, cradle-making, domestication, copper-making, satin weaving develops rapidly. Shakhrikhan School of craftsmanship and its followers, which was founded on the basis of ancient traditions of folk craftsmanship, also have a history of its merits. In the II-half of the XIX and early XX centuries, there was a specific management order of the craftsmen, and in the preparation of apprentice, there were also favorable rules.

Since the master is responsible for the excellent study of the secrets of the craft of the people and the Knights under his hands, he also attached special importance to the selection of the Knights.

The apprentices were often the children of the master or his relatives, the children of close companions, as well as the sons and daughters of a man who was eager to teach the craft to his child[3]. 10-14-year-old boys and girls, 16-17-year-old youth were taken to the fields of hard work, such as ceramics, blacksmithing, cast-iron, tanning, weaving to the fields of jewelry, jewelry, craftsmanship, weaving. The duration of Apprentice training lasted from 3 to 10 years, sometimes even more, depending on the severity, complexity of the craft.

The Masters were encouraging the pioneers in the study of craftsmanship. He provided them with food, clothing from his own account, and paid a certain amount of Labor to the cobwebs. Thus, after a certain period of time, the apprentice reached the level of the people who could independently carry out the work or the work, making. If the master finds the piece prepared by apprentice acceptable, he allowed him to perform the ritual of "waist fastening". At this ceremony, all members of the Association of artisans took part under the leadership of grandfather or elder and blessed apprentice. At the end of the ceremony, the master distributed several instruments to apprentice, tied her waist and gave her a white Fatiha.

After the Tsarist Russia invaded Turkestan and turned the country into a market where Russian goods were sold, the situation of local craftsmen became more severe. Because the products they produced were assigned a relatively inexpensive, high-quality goods from Russia, which could not compete. As a result, various branches of local craftsmanship were in crisis. By the end of the nineteenth century, the city of Shakhrikhan increased the number of villages around it, which led to the emergence of new types of craftsmanship. During this period processing, especially blacksmithing intensified.

Shahrikhan is one of the ancient and unique places of craftsmanship. About half of the Craftsmen of the region go to this district. It is rare to find that especially in the knife-making it is equal to the suburbs. One of the types of craftsmanship, which was formed several hundred years ago in Shahrikhan, is knife-making. One of the dynasties of the Masters of knives began with the Ismoilkhon, born in 1730 - year, and now the seventh generation of this dynasty continues the profession of grandfathers. Blacksmith Masters brought national knife-making to the level of Art[4]. Shahrikhan knives are available in different corners of the world. For example, the knives made by Master Sayfkha Alikhodzhaev and apprentice were awarded an international quality certificate, which was also awarded in Europe. Every year, dozens of people come to the master to bring their children to apprenticeship. Thanks brother receives his children on the basis of “session”. Over the years, he persistently teaches his apprentices the secrets of his profession[5]. More than forty people living in Shakhrikhan and the surrounding regions, the teacher of the knives is Mercy Alikhodzhaev. Master's generation in the second half of the XIX century was the master Ubaydullo eshon Musakhodzhaev, who made the dong as the master of the ironsmith, knife-maker of his ERA. He was born in 1874 - year and lived seventy-three years. He died in 1947 year, leaving a noble mark as a master of knifes, a light doctor of the hands. He was a talented craftsman who brought the craft of knives to the level of art. Knife lovers came to Shakhrikhan from another city, villages, ordered him. Ubaydullah eshon surgeon is also a physician. The former Soviet authorities, who did not recognize folk medicine, who saw it as a violation of sanitation, heresy, superstition, pursued Ubaydullah eshon Tabib. Despite the persecution, he was imprisoned in 1936 year as a “pest, superstitious physician, causing harm to Soviet people,” for the treatment of a sick person who sought his cure. The knife-making skill of Ubaydullo eshon was continued by his son Alikhoja Ubaidullaev. The beautiful knives made by him are now preserved in many museums around the world, including in Moscow, in the famous museums of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) [6].

It was also in the battles of the Second World War, when the master rained Alikhuzha. Among the thousands of Uzbek guys, he was also forced to fight. At first he served as a miniaturist, then as an intelligence officer. ”Red Star“, ”Shohrat“ orders, ”for Courage“, ”excellent scout" and other medals were awarded on March eight with the thanks of the Supreme Commander-in-chief. Master Alitoy finished the beating in 1945-th year in the city of Prague in Czechoslovakia and returned with a victory. From the day he came from the war, to the end of his life (died in 1979 - year) continued the profession of a knife. Thanks to the son of Master Alitoy, one can say that today only Shahrikhan is the captain of the blacksmiths-knives! He is a member of the creative group of the Andijan Regional Association “Hunarmand”.

Since the 80 - of the last century, the blades made by Rahimkhoja Alikhodjayev have been exhibited in the regional, Republican and international practical exhibitions as the raw material of Uzbek applied art. It has taken a worthy place in the visions organized in dozens of countries, such as Germany, the United States, India, England. He was found worthy of the WQC Intemionalional Star Award, which was considered an international award.

Another famous craftsman of Shakhrikhan is a knife-maker, jeweler, kandakor master Sadigjon Ne'matov. This person took part in the competition “initiative” of entrepreneurs of the republic in 1996 and was awarded the award of the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition, the International Fund named after Bobur was awarded the International Bobur award.