Who Are the Uzbeks?
The Uzbeks are a Turkic ethnic group numbering approximately 35-38 million, primarily in Uzbekistan (where they comprise about 85% of population), with significant populations in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and other Central Asian states. The Uzbeks speak Uzbek language (Turkic family), written in Latin script (previously Cyrillic and Arabic). The Uzbeks descended from various Turkic and Mongol tribes that mixed with Iranian peoples in Central Asia, taking their name from the 14th-century Khan Ozbek. Historically, Uzbeks inhabited major Silk Road cities including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, creating sophisticated Islamic civilization. Traditional Uzbek culture features rich architectural heritage, distinctive textiles including ikat fabrics, elaborate cuisine, music traditions, and predominantly Sunni Islam. Soviet rule and post-independence Uzbekistan shaped modern Uzbek identity while maintaining cultural traditions.