Zarina

December 01, 2022

Assalomu alaykum everyone 😍

On our fourth day in the Blacksmith museum of Bukhara state. We went to practice Blacksmith museum. The museum was opened in 1992, and is the only museum of this type in Uzbekistan. This is a must see as you are walking through the old city.

The Blacksmith History Forge Museum is a short walk north of the Toqi Telpak Furushon Bazaar on Khakikat Street. The museum is located in the Kulyuta karavansarai which was built in the 16th century. Admission is free, and it is a rare treat to see a working blacksmith. Photos/Videos can be taken and you can stroll through the workshop to view finished goods and the tools of the blacksmith. The most impressive area is the urn shaped hearth with white handles, which had a fire inside.

The museum-workshop is a living museum. Not only could one learn there the history of the ancient blacksmith's craft, but also participate in making blacksmith products.

Usto Shokir Kamolov, who comes of a family of blacksmiths, is the senior researcher of the museum.

This pictures are Shokirov's family. They were created blacksmith. Abu Raihon Biruni wrote in the 10th century, that Bukharan master smiths worked with four kinds of metals. The development of the smithing craft affected growth of agriculture and many other industries in the region.By the end of the 19th century, according to master smith Sharif Kamalov calculation, there were over 150 smiths in Bukhoro producing a variety of goods:

Nail makers (mehchasoz)

Farriers (na'lgar)

Locksmiths (qulfsoz)

Iron tool makers (chelongar)

Needle makers (suzansoz)

Tinsmiths (tunukasoz)

Cutlers (kordsoz)

Currently, there are about 40 smiths still working here, creating hand made knives and scissors, hoes and shovels and sickles and special tools for other crafts-people. The beauty of these unique items makes the factory-made equivalents look boring by comparison.