Trips
Tues., 10/9/18 - Khujand (pronounced who-John), Tajikistan
We stopped to take pictures and visit the History Complex at the Monument of Independence with the crown, scepter, and seven stars symbol that is on the Tajikistan flag. The bus parked on the zebra stripes at the traffic circle because there is no parking for the museum.
The museum displayed undocumented things from archeology done by the Soviets (most of the finds are in Moscow) or donated by local families. The stringed musical instruments were the most interesting. There was a replica of a typical 17th c.Tajik house. It would have five inner pillars for Mohammed, his son, etc.
Monument of Independence
|
Our chariot |
|
Khujand is about in the narrow part of this arm with a thumb on the right that actually points to the NE
|
The mountains
|
Emblem of Tajikistan
|
Ghidzak
|
Dutar |
Spoon |
Just what everyone needs
|
Device for making bread - puts a design on the top of the bread
|
Rubab
|
Tambourine and Soz
|
Typical 17th Tajik house
|
We went down a back street to park and get out to see a 60 foot tall aluminum statue of Lenin and a red symbol of Soviet labor, the hammer and sickle. It was removed to be replaced by Somoni. Lenin is still regarded as a positive political figure to most Tajiks. He saved them from becoming part of Afghanistan.
In the parking lot was a decrepit and patched up semi-trailer where the 93-year-old caretaker of the statue and his wife lived.
We then went to Somoni Park where Lenin used to be the central statue. There are tiers of steps with wings of mosaic panels at each landing. Some of the panels were of frescos found at archeological sites, some of Zoroastrian fables, and Aryan civilization.
|
Statue of Lenin
|
Caretaker's caravan |
Caretaker
|
Caretaker |
Mosaic tile work |
Mosaic tile work
|
|
|