Introducing
Mystery Class #2--Dushanbe, Tajikistan
(
38.583 N, 68.600 E)
"Zdravstvuite" (Hello) from Tajikistan!
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"Asalam
aleykum" "Zdravstvuite"
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My
name is Kathryn Darrow and I’m a third grade teacher from Vermont.
This year I am on leave, and I am teaching in Dushanbe, the capital city
of Tajikistan. I teach English to both students and teachers here.
The
Country
Usually people don’t even know where Tajikistan is, so we’re
happy that you found us! My Tajik friends are very proud that you’re
learning about their country. By the way, "-stan" means "home
of the", so Tajikistan means "home of the Tajiks".
Tajikistan is a small republic in Central Asia that formerly was ruled by the Soviet Union, so the people here speak both Tajik and Russian. The Tajik language is also used in two neighboring countries, Iran and Afghanistan, but in those countries the people give the language a different name. Iran calls the language "Farsi", while Afghanistan calls it "Dari", but even so they are all versions of the same language and are understandable to each other.
In 1994, Tajikistand adopted a new national anthem by writing new words for the old music that had been used when it was part of the Soviet Union. In English the lyrics of the new national anthem are:
Our
beloved country,
We are happy to see your pride.
Let your happiness and prosperity be forever.
We have reached this day since ancient times,
We stand under your flag.
CHORUS
Long live my Homeland, my free Tajikistan!
Your
are a symbol of our ancestors' hope
Our honour and dignity,
Your are an eternal world for your sons,
Your spring will never end,
We remain loyal to you.
CHORUS
You
are a Mother for all of us,
Your future is our future,
Your meaning is the meaning of our souls and bodies,
You give us happiness forever,
Because of you, we love the world!
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This year during Nawruz festivities in Dushanbe, we saw the people conduct the ancient, nomadic game of "Buzkashi", which translates to "grabbing the dead goat". Buzkashi is like rugby on horseback, with a goat carcass for a ball and every man for himself. It is said to teach the values of courage, strength and horsemanship needed for war.
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In
Dushanbe, most people still do their daily shopping in local bazaars
or markets, even though
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In fact, the name of our capital city, Dushanbe, is related to the local bazaars or markets. Dushanbe actually means Monday, which was the day people traditionally gathered for their weekly bazaar here.
Here is a little Tajik language lesson about the days of the week. In the Tajik language, Saturday is "shanbe". Sunday is "yekshanbe" ("yek" is one and "shanbe" is Saturday, meaning one day after Saturday). Monday is "dushanbe" ("du" is two), continuing through "seshanbe", "chorshanbe", "panjanbe" for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is "juma" , which translates into the day of gathering for prayer.
Ninety-three percent of Tajikistan is mountainous, and so the only arrable land for crops, or for cities, is the land located in valleys between the mountain ranges. For instance, Duschanbe itself is located in a large valley.
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The Pamir Mountains are in the east of the country, and the Hissar and Fan Mountains are in the west. The mountain regions are where much of our wildlife is found. Some of our most notable species includes snow leopards, brown bears, Marco Polo sheep and ibex too.
We really enjoyed being a Mystery Class, and hope you enjoyed learning about our country Tajikistan, and our city, Dushanbe.
In
English, we say farewell.
In Tajik, it's "Salamat bashed!".
And in Russian, it's "Dosvidaniya!"
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