SEASONAL RITUAL FOLKLORE OF THE UZBEK AND UYGHUR PEOPLES

This article presents a comparative study of the seasonal ritual folklore of the Uzbek and Uyghur peoples, drawing on two primary sources: M. Juraev’s “Uzbek Seasonal Ritual Folklore” (2008) and A. Rahman’s “Uyghur Folklore.” The analysis reveals that the ritual folklore of both peoples shares common roots in Turkic culture and is closely connected with the folk calendar (agricultural, pastoral, ornithological, and astronomical systems of timekeeping), cosmological beliefs (cults of the sun, moon, and stars), and economic activities (agriculture and animal husbandry). Based on the Saimalitosh petroglyphs and the customs of the Hun period, it is shown that the historical origins trace back to the Proto-Saka and Hun eras. The genre system is comparatively analyzed: Uzbek spring (Navruz, sumalak, “Sust xotin”), summer (“Choy momo,” “Yo Haydar”), autumn (“Oblo baraka”), and winter (“Yas-yusun”) rituals are compared with Uyghur agricultural and pastoral traditions (ploughing, plant gathering, and animal protection), revealing their genetic and functional similarities. It is demonstrated that ritual elements (songs, chants, and ritual practices) in both cultures serve functions of economic efficiency, social cohesion, and spiritual harmony. The results of the comparative analysis confirm the common Turkic features of Uzbek and Uyghur folklore heritage and propose new approaches to its study and preservation.