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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/history-crjh-02-05-05 
ISSN 2767-472X 
©2021 Master Journals 

   
  Accepted 15th May, 2021 &  Published 20th May, 2021  

 

 
 

 

CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY                           
ISSN – 2767-472X 

17 

   https://masterjournals.com/index.php/CRJH 

 

REFLECTION OF ANCIENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IN ANIMAL RITUALS 

 (ON THE EXAMPLE OF JIZZAKH OASIS) 
 

Khakima Babaydavlatovna Davlatova 

Master student Methods of teaching social sciences and humanities (history) Jizzah State Pedagogical University 

Uzbekistan 

 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Although in ancient times people gave different 
names to the idea of divine strength, this power 
has always been considered God deciding their 
destiny. At various times, the tribes believed in 
“their” divine power, connecting their needs and 
desires, fears and joys with the divine power, and 
sought to understand the world.  Trying to soften 
the savagery of nature with magic, they begin to 
worship its various manifestations — the Sun, 
the stars, the thunder, the rain, the wind, the fire.  
Thus, such beliefs as animism, totemism, 
fetishism, and paganism emerged, and their 
followers began to follow each other [Karamatov, 

2008. P. 8].  

Indeed, animal husbandry was one of the oldest 
forms of traditional farming and one of the main 
types of labor that determined the source of 
livelihood. The lifestyles of the herders and the 
views and traditions associated with this training 
have been studied to some extent by our 
research scientists on the basis of ethnographic 
materials. However, ancient religious ideas and 
beliefs related to animal husbandry have not yet 
been specifically studied as a separate object of 
study [Ashirov, 2007, PP. 145-146.]. After all, 
from ancient times, that is, since the beginning of 
the process of capturing and domesticating 
animals, the rituals and customs associated with 

ABSTRACT  
 
This article analyzes the fact that in the ancient Jizzakh oasis, animal husbandry was one of the most ancient 
forms of traditional farming and one of the main types of labor that determined the source of livelihood, and 
other issues. It also highlights the lifestyle of the herders and the views and traditions associated with this 
training, which have been studied to some extent by our research scientists on the basis of ethnographic 
materials, and similar issues. 
 
 
KEYWORDS:- Jizzakh oasis, animals, traditional farming, livelihood, traditions, training, scientists, 
ethnographic materials, divine power, totemism, fetishism, paganism, Bronze Age, Central Asia. 
 
 



CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY 2(5): 17-20, May 2021      
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/history-crjh-02-05-05 
ISSN 2767-472X 
©2021 Master Journals 

   
  Accepted 15th May, 2021 &  Published 20th May, 2021  

 

 
 

 

CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY                           
ISSN – 2767-472X 

18 

   https://masterjournals.com/index.php/CRJH 

animal husbandry reflected the attitude of the 
people to the animal world. At the same time, 
they embodied the relationship between man 
and nature, people and the animal kingdom, the 
life experiences and spiritual views of human 
society related to several thousand years of labor 
activity. 

The economy of the population of Central Asia 
has long been based on natural and geographical 
features, and due to the first division of labor 
that took place in the Bronze Age, it was divided 
into a nomadic group engaged in agriculture, 
settlements and animal husbandry. In the Jizzakh 
oasis, along with agriculture, there were 
favorable conditions for livestock. The natural 
conditions of the oasis made it possible to raise 
all the cattle. 

We know that from time immemorial in 
Ustrushna, along with the peasant population, 
livestock breeders also played an important role 
in the growth of the population around 
agricultural oases, the development of new lands 
and turning them into prosperous agricultural 
oases. In the cultural life of the peoples of the 
region, the coexistence and intermingling of the 
two types of farms have played an important 
role. The ancient spiritual and religious ideas of 
the Ustrushona herdsmen came in different 
forms [Toshboev, 2018, P. 37].             

Sources mention the pre-Islamic pastoral beliefs 
of the Turkic tribes in various forms of 
shamanism (ancestor spirits, Blue God) and 
religious rites associated with totemistic views 
(worship of animals, mountains, water sources - 
rivers and lakes). One of the most common 
religious beliefs in ancient times was shamanism. 
This religion nurtured the spirit of faith in souls 
and spirits and created the universe from 
nothingness - based on the worship of the Blue 
God.  

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

In the mountains of Turkestan (Morguzar) 
passing through the oasis, in the Uriklisay gorge, 
there is a huge (5 x 3 m) shaman-stone god 
(Tangri sang) facing east (sunrise) from the 
mountain rock [Alibekov., Nishanov, 1978. P.97].  
Naturally, this image of the shaman, resembling 
the head of a man in Turkish appearance, was a 
sacred place of worship for the cattle-breeding 
population. This monument testifies to the 
widespread perception of Shamanism among the 
cattle-breeding population of Ustrushona.  

In addition to the livestock breeders in the oasis, 
animal husbandry also played an important role 
in the life of the farming population. Farmers 
used them mainly as a source of labor, livestock, 
auxiliary power, and additional income. There 
was a nature and purpose of the rites and 
customs of animal husbandry, that is, the rites 
were aimed at the reproduction of the animal, its 
protection from various diseases, wild beasts, 
and thieves. This means that pet health has 
always been important for breeders. They 
performed various rituals at certain times of the 
year to protect the animal from various 
calamities, evil forces, evil eyes and attacks of 
wild animals [Ashirov, 2007. P. 147.]. 

As a result of research carried out by the 
archaeologist F.E. Toshbaev at the Gulbo 
cemetery in the Zaamin district, objects such as 
arrows, bows and arrows were found. According 
to the researcher, they also have widespread 
views about Umay mother. 

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

 

Mother Umay symbols are known to include 
many household items, including a lover, a bow 
and arrow, a brass button, and a urchuk, along 
with items such as the umbilical cord. In ancient 
times, religion developed through the worship of 



CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY 2(5): 17-20, May 2021      
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/history-crjh-02-05-05 
ISSN 2767-472X 
©2021 Master Journals 

   
  Accepted 15th May, 2021 &  Published 20th May, 2021  

 

 
 

 

CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY                           
ISSN – 2767-472X 

19 

   https://masterjournals.com/index.php/CRJH 

nature, and some processes and things in 
existence were understood as girls, women. 
Umay is a hero of the ancient cattle-breeding 
Turkic peoples, a protective helper of the hero. 
Mahmud Kashgari uses the word “Umay” in the 
lexical sense of “companion”.  He also explains 
that Umay is something that comes out of the 
belly of young, tear-stained women, and that the 
child is a companion in the womb. The proverb 
“If you worship Umay, you will have a son” is 
common among the ancient Turkic peoples, he 
writes that there is a myth that a son will be born 
[Jumabekov., Alikulov, 1999, P. 72]. It is obvious 
that in the ancient Turkic peoples Umay-Mother 
was considered on the one hand as a source of 
worship of heroes in the war, and on the other 
hand as a caregiver of young children, a 
companion of the child in the womb and in the 
postpartum period. Toshboev, 2018, P. 38.]. So, 
the sexes in the human imagination - most of the 
spirits (grandmothers, fairies) are named after 
women. These traditions have very ancient roots 
and are widespread among breeders and passed 
down from generation to generation. 

CONCLUSION 

In a conclusion, one of the urgent tasks today is 
an in-depth study of the ancient culture of the 
Uzbek people, traditions and rituals aimed at the 
rational use of nature, to convey its essence to 
the general public. At the same time, it is 
necessary to study the views of our ancestors on 
the preservation of nature, ancient religious 
values that reflect the harmony of man and 
nature, and bring them to the attention of the 
general public. This will help to study the traces 
of ancient religious beliefs in the traditional life 
of the Uzbek people on the example of the 
Jizzakh oasis, and in a sense to understand the 
essence of the rituals and customs. Our scientific 
research and studies will help us restore some of 
the forgotten rituals in the oasis as cultural 
heritage. 

 

REFERENCES 

 

1. Karamatov H. History of religious beliefs in 
Uzbekistan. Тashkent:, 2008. 

2. Ashirov A. Ancient beliefs and ceremonies of 
the Uzbek people. Tashkent: “Publishing 
House of the National Library of Uzbekistan 
named after Alisher Navoi”,2007. 

3. Toshboev F. On the pre-Islamic religious 
beliefs of the Ustrushona herdsmen. // 
Lessons of Imam Bukhari //. Issue 2 of 2018. 

4. Alibekov L.A., Nishanov C.A. Natural 
conditions and resources of Djizak region. 
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5. Jumabekov A., Aliqulov R. The concept of 
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6. Jizzakh Tourist internet sites. 

7. DAVLATOVA, K., & NEMATOV, O. (2021). 
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8. Jumanazarova, D., & Davlatova, H. (2021). 
Customs Of Population In Jizzakh Oasis 
Associated With Chilla. The American Journal 
of Interdisciplinary Innovations and Research, 
3(04), 63-66. 

9. Khakima, D. (2021). Customs Related To 
Tadjiks’ Wedding In Jizzakh Oasis. The 
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10. Davlatova, K. Opportunities and Prospects for 
the Development of Ecotourism in the Jizzakh 
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11. Неъматов Озодбек Неъматович , & 



CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY 2(5): 17-20, May 2021      
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/history-crjh-02-05-05 
ISSN 2767-472X 
©2021 Master Journals 

   
  Accepted 15th May, 2021 &  Published 20th May, 2021  

 

 
 

 

CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY                           
ISSN – 2767-472X 

20 

   https://masterjournals.com/index.php/CRJH 

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