Beshik to‘yi (cradle feast)

Where the cradle comes from

Beshik to‘yi is a celebration held for the birth of a first child, and every region of Uzbekistan has its own way of marking it. The cradle (beshik) and everything the baby needs are prepared by the mother’s relatives — grandparents, uncles and aunts. Bread, patir and sweets are added to the spread, along with toys such as a doll for a girl; in many places, Tashkent especially, a toy foal was made for a boy. The baby’s parents and grandparents receive gifts of clothing.

The decorated cradle and gifts were loaded onto a cart — today a car — and taken to the husband’s family home to the sound of karnay, surnay and drums.

The ceremony

Guests were greeted with a dab of flour on the face, a sign of pure intentions and a wish for the child’s happiness. Meanwhile, in another room the doya buvi, the midwife, performed the customary rites and laid the baby in the beshik for the first time; then the women came to see the baby, offered blessings and handed out presents. The ceremony is mostly a women’s affair. If you are invited, bring a small gift such as baby clothes or a toy.