Tajikistan. The country of Islam, Mountains and Rivers. Romans Arzjancevs

      You can feel spring in your heart from the first days of May. Winters can be very cold in some areas of Tajikistan especially in Pamir Mountains when snow remains for long time. In fact on Pamir mountaintops snow and ice may stay throughout the year. I know and it is true that so many rivers start from these mountaintops. These mountain rivers are clean and fresh. Tajikistan is rich with lakes and rivers and it is wonderful to live on those places where nature and life is in harmony. You can find small settlements or in other words traditional Tajik villages situated in deep, isolated places between mountains. And you suddenly realise that life can be just as good as in other higher developed countries. Tajikistan is unique because of its rich and amazing culture and life.

      4 May, 2015, Monday

      Now, today I will think about some facts and health system in Tajikistan.

      As I wrote yesterday Tajik nation is healthiest nation in that area comparing to other republics that have higher percentage of heart disease patients, who deal with alcoholism and so on. But the most important fact is about life expectancy. According to data collected in 2012 life expectancy is about 66 years. For some 66 years is not good result but when you consider other circumstances for example military conflicts and other violence that often happen in some areas then it is not so bad. Of course in some countries life expectancy is higher but in general this is due to better economical situation. Another interesting thing to add is regardless to production of drugs there are very low percentage of people who take drugs. For now I will stop with facts and statistics and continue with religious feasts. It is very necessary to understand the role of Holy Month in the life of Tajik people. So Ramadan – Holy Month is very important for all Muslims. Compared to or calendar Ramadan starts in June and ends in the middle of July. The majority of population devote more time to longer prayers and other religious things they try to spend their time with no celebrations and in quiet atmosphere. These things according to Islam are very important to every Muslim person and they try to hold on to them and no to do some things that contradicts with Islam religion. That is why after Holy Month namely 4 weeks Islamic world celebrate Oraza Bayram which symbolise the end of Ramadan. What are dates? Of course you know that is a fruit that characterize all Islamic countries. Dates also are the most popular food during religious holydays. And many, many families try to incorporate dates into their menu during Oraza Bayram. It is impossible to imagine Islamic culture and religion without this fruit. Yes it is very important to put dates on a table at least once a year. They beautifully compliment tea. Besides banquet there is one more important thing – faith. Muslim people believe in Allah and during feast they devote a lot of time for worship. Also they study the teaching of Muhammad the prophet. This is the time when you strengthen your faith in God Allah and his prophet.

      5 May, 2015, Tuesday

      So, I want to write very much about one of the most symbolic things not only for the Tajik nation, but also for all countries situated from Asia Minor peninsula to Kashmir Mountains, and, of course, a symbolic thing for the whole Islamic culture and religion: it is the carpet and its production. Of course, the carpet plays a very important role in Islam; maybe, one can’t imagine this Religion and this culture without it. Apparently, it often can be found in many homes and apartments in Tajikistan and other countries which are officially known as the Islamic countries; they have it not only as a decoration, but also as an attributive thing… As it can be seen on many pictures, it is certainly impossible to imagine a richer view of apartment, of some home in some cities of Tajikistan Republic, and carpets often can be seen not only in many flats in Dushanbe City, but also in other small villages of this country. Of course, carpets can be seen anywhere; and also so many shops and bazaars are available for shopping to a large part of population of Tajikistan… But the biggest exporting country of carpets, of course, is Turkmenistan, maybe, as the second country follows Turkey; this republic often exports a big part of carpets production not only to other Islamic countries, but also to other republics and countries with different cultures. As I often have seen on those pictures, I mean, with some not so big cities and settlements in the southern Tajikistan, there is a lot of small houses situated in deep mountain areas, near rivers, and there, of course, one can see the same look of that living place. So, carpets are often put on the ground and on walls, I think, no Tajik family or home can’t imagine this view without carpets as a symbolic decoration of their culture. Well, it was very interesting also to read about some days and, maybe, other things what include that idea of this symbolic thing… But you know, Tajikistan has no special days of festivals for representation and production of carpets, and such idea of that… Maybe, it’s no so important for the Tajikistan Republic and its people but it is very important for Turkmenistan and its nation and culture… So many competitions and festivals, representations are hold in this country throughout the year, but the most important day is the Carpet Day, called so officially by the Turkmen nation, which is celebrated on the last Sunday in May… And also, maybe, it is worth to be mentioned that the national flag of Turkmenistan also contains some view or image, to tell the truth, a red ornamental stripe with elements of Turkmen carpets on a green field of the flag… I suppose, if Tajik and Tajikistan Republic believe in their culture and religion of Islam then each and every house must have that thing, maybe as a symbol of the East, as Islamic Decoration, a tradition; and also bearing in mind the habit that Muslims may not put their feet on carpet with footwear on, probably, it is very good if you stay on carpet bootless… If you want to feel in your heart good feelings and to pray, maybe, it wouldn’t be so bad to sit on a carpet on your legs and just to say a prayer looking out the window. That could be very interesting also to watch how this day would be celebrated, of course, not in Tajikistan, but, maybe, in Turkmenistan, I mean, the Carpet Day, and in 2015 it will be on the 31^st of May. On that day when many places and shops would offer their assortment of that symbolic value, maybe also, as it was in Ashgabat city, there may be a large assortment of carpets, so many bazaars and some places which would represent and be decorated with these examples of the Eastern culture… You know, it was very fine to watch how such carpets are standing closely to other things of those countries, and also, how often many carpets are put on the ground of some houses and flats, but there are also some ball decorations and paper decorations which can be often seen on many streets of capitals of these countries, and, as it often is in Ashgabat city, view of these streets is the same, all along the streets some decorations are displayed – with balls and decorations made of paper in shiny colours – especially yellow and red, such really is the view of streets in this city in summertime where and when it is warm and shiny

      Well, one thing, and it is a symbolic thing of Islamic civilization… I mean the carpets which often can be seen in many homes and flats in Tajikistan Republic. If you, for example, want to find