Uzbekistan’s souvenirs that catch your eye at tourist spots are hard to resist.
From colorful fabrics to hand-embroidered cushion covers and intricately patterned pottery, Uzbekistan boasts a variety of charming handicrafts.
SRP TRAVEL also offers tours revolving around Uzbekistan’s handicrafts.
Colorful Fabrics Evoking Exotic Charm
Among the fabrics used in Uzbekistan’s traditional attire is “Adras,” a type of ikat fabric.
Woven in Margilan, in the eastern region of Uzbekistan, Adras features patterns inspired by plants, birds, and other living creatures, making it not only a garment material but also an interior decor staple within Uzbekistan.
Silk fabric is referred to as “Atlas,” while a blend of cotton and silk is known as “Adras,” and cotton-only fabric is called “Buz.”
Souvenir shops in Uzbekistan sell bags, shawls, and robes made from these colorful fabrics, attracting buyers from Europe as well. Adras, once primarily used in traditional attire, has now found its place in modern fashion boutiques in Tashkent, gaining popularity not only within Uzbekistan but also in Europe.
For those seeking affordable fabrics, a visit to Margilan in the Ferghana region is recommended.
However, if time is limited, fabrics can also be purchased at bazaars and souvenir shops in the capital city of Tashkent and various other locations.
In Margilan, visitors can even tour workshops to witness the fabric-making process firsthand.
The Allure of Suzani Embroidery
When traveling in Uzbekistan, you’ll come across large fabrics adorned with embroidery, whether they’re bed covers in hotels or wall hangings.
The word “Suzani” in Persian refers to needlework on fabric and is said to be a longstanding tradition in Central Asian cultures.
Originally, in Uzbekistan, when a girl was born into a family, mothers and female relatives would start embroidering, teaching the girl as she grew older.
Completing a large Suzani became a symbolic part of a girl’s dowry when she got married.
While the tradition of using hand-sewn embroidery as a part of the dowry has diminished, old Suzani are still displayed in homes and passed down through generations.
Suzani embroidery designs vary from household to household and significantly across regions.
In Samarkand, designs feature motifs inspired by fire, a central symbol in Zoroastrianism, as well as teapot designs, all embroidered in primary colors.
In Bukhara and Gijduvan, designs typically include plants and birds embroidered on white backgrounds.
While Suzani originally referred to large fabrics, today, you can find various goods like cushion covers and bags adorned with Suzani embroidery.
For affordable Suzanis, visiting the Urgut Bazaar near Samarkand is recommended.
They offer a wide range of Suzanis, from vintage pieces to newer ones, catering to different tastes.
Delicate and Beautiful Rishtan Pottery
Rishtan pottery is one of Uzbekistan’s representative traditional crafts.
It’s so common that you’ll find blue plates from Rishtan pottery displayed in almost every souvenir shop across Uzbekistan.
Similar to the ikat fabric Adras, Rishtan pottery is crafted in the Ferghana region.
These plates feature intricate patterns of flowers and plants, all hand-painted.
Each piece is unique, with patterns that are similar yet different from one another.
From small teacups to large dishes, there’s a wide variety including teapots and fruit bowls.
While you can purchase them in tourist towns across Uzbekistan, they’re all unique pieces, so if you find one you love, it’s recommended to buy it on the spot.
SRP TRAVEL’s Uzbekistan Handicrafts Tour
SRP TRAVEL offers numerous tours focused on Uzbekistan’s handicrafts.
Our staff members themselves are enchanted by the charm of Uzbekistan’s handicrafts and are involved in selling these goods.
Therefore, we plan tours with a focus on handicrafts, aiming to offer our customers who visit Uzbekistan specifically for handicrafts the opportunity to acquire quality items at reasonable prices as much as possible.
Uzbekistan Handicrafts Tour
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Recommended Short Tours for Handicrafts Enthusiasts
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Uzbekistan Handicrafts Online Shop “Rishta”
The affiliated shop of SRP TRAVEL, “Rishta,” has been selling Uzbekistan handicrafts primarily in Tokyo, Japan, since around 2013.
We produce Uzbekistan handicrafts in collaboration with local women.
If you’re interested in handicrafts but unable to travel to Uzbekistan, please visit Rishta’s online shop.