Ramadan in Uzbekistan: Folk tradition of songs and good wishes

There is not a single Uzbek who, in childhood, did not experience the joy of singing Ramadan songs with peers throughout the neighborhood. For centuries, singing Ramadan has become a cherished national tradition—a miraculous folk art that lifts the spirits of both children and adults during the holy month, infusing hearts with kindness and joy. Today, Ramadan songs are primarily performed live by children, where the precise rhythm and notes are secondary to the courage and passion of their performance. Children form groups and recite wishes at the doorsteps of neighbors, tailored to the specific needs of each household. For instance, families without children may wish for a ram-like son, those without a daughter-in-law for a princess-like daughter-in-law, while families with a daughter-in-law might wish for a groom as heroic as Alpomish. In return, the host typically rewards the children with sweets, various dishes, or sometimes money. This tradition not only reinforces unity among Muslims but also promotes charity and communal goodwill.

Below, we explore how Ramadan songs are sung across different regions of Uzbekistan. 

Fergana Region

In many parts of the Fergana Valley, during Ramadan—especially in the first ten days—children gather at neighbors’ gates with a tablecloth or handkerchief, energetically reciting the Ramadan song known as the tale of "Gulnora." The performance coincides with the evening prayer, and once the householders appear, they offer alms. The lyrics, which evoke the arrival of Ramadan and the preparation of food for breaking the fast, have evolved to reflect changing economic conditions.
Ro‘za keldi, bildinglarmi?
  (Ramadan has arrived, have you noticed?)
Qozonga yog‘ quydinglarmi?
  (Have you poured oil into the pot?)
Aqa chiqaring, baqa chiqaring.
  (Bring out the elder, bring out the frog.)
Cho‘ntagizdan ming so‘m chiqaring.
  (Take 1,000 soums out of your bag.)

Ming so‘m pulga ot oldik,
  (For 1,000 soums we bought a horse,)
Otni sotib qiz oldik.
  (By selling the horse, we bought a daughter.)
Qizning oti Gulnora
  (The daughter’s name is Gulnora)
Non yopadi bechora...
  (And the poor one cannot even bake bread...)

Namangan Region: Wish for a Son

In the Namangan region, children in villages gather throughout Ramadan to sing a song that expresses a heartfelt wish for a son. The song’s lyrics reflect the deep cultural value placed on having a son, often seen as a guardian and protector of the family.
O‘nqir-cho‘nqir yo‘llardan,
  (From countless roads,)
Tuya minib, biz keldik.
  (We came riding on a camel.)
Tuya boshin burolmay,
  (Unable to turn the camel’s head,)
Shu eshikka duch keldik.
  (We have reached your door.)

Assalom alaykum. Ya Ramazon,
  (Greetings, peace be upon you. Oh Ramadan,)
Ya Ramazon,
  (Oh Ramadan,)
Ya Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga.
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door.)
Xudoyim o‘g‘il bersin beshigingizga.
  (May God grant you a son to fill your cradle.)

Oq tanga-yu ko‘k tanga,
  (White coins and blue coins,)
Ob chiqib bering, jon yanga.
  (Please bring out some water, dear one.)
Ob chiqib bermasangiz bo‘lmaydi,
  (If you do not provide water,)
Xurjunimiz to‘lmaydi.
  (Our thirst will not be quenched.)
Ya Ramazon, yog‘liq qozon,
  (Oh Ramadan, oily pot,)
Ya Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga.
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door.)
Ya Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga!
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door!)

Tashkent - The City of Rich People

In the Tashkent region, Ramadan songs are most common during the first ten days of the holy month, often sung by children after iftar. These songs typically include a concluding compliment, such as “We saw a moon at your door, we saw you richer than everyone else,” to encourage householders to donate money, sweets, or even invite the children inside for a meal.
Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door,)
Xudoyim farzand bersin beshigingizga
  (May God grant you a child to fill your cradle.)
Oq tanga, ko‘k tanga,
  (White coin, blue coin,)
olib chiqib bering 5 tanga
  (Please bring out 5 coins.)
5 tanganing bog‘i bor,
  (There is a garden of 5 coins,)
Bog‘ida anori bor,
  (In that garden, there are pomegranates,)
Anorini yesangiz,
  (If you eat the pomegranate,)
1000 so‘m pulni cho‘zsangiz
  (And extend 1,000 soums,)
Eshigiz tegida oy ko‘rdik.
  (We have seen the moon at your door.)
Hammadan sizni boy ko‘rdik.
  (We have seen you as rich by everyone.)
Chiqara qoling 1000 so‘m pul
  (Leave behind 1,000 soums.)

Jizzakh and Syrdarya Regions: How to Protect Yourself from Puppies

In the Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, local customs add unique twists to the Ramadan singing process. In Jizzakh, for example, children carry a stick of wood—approximately their height—which they use to knock on doors and sometimes as a playful means of protecting themselves from puppies during their rounds. A distinctive gesture is made by placing their hands on their chests while singing.
Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga,
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door,)
Qo‘chqordek o‘g‘il bersin beshigingizga.
  (May you be granted a son as lively as a colt to fill your cradle.)
Oq tanga, ko‘k tanga,
  (White coin, blue coin,)
Chiqara qoling jon yanga.
  (Please leave something behind, dear one.)
O‘choq kulda, katmonda pul
  (There is money in the oven and in the layered pastry,)
Chiqara qoling, besh ming pul.
  (Please leave behind 5,000 soums.)
Besh mingning bog‘i bor,
  (There is a garden of 5,000 soums,)
Bog‘ida anori bor
  (In that garden, there are pomegranates,)
Anoridan yesangiz shaqir-shuqur puli bor.
  (If you eat the pomegranate, there will be abundant money.)
Op chiqing, op chiqing kissangiza sop chiqing.
  (Sister, come out, sister, come out and sprinkle your kiss.)
Kissangiza sig‘masa, tog‘oraga sop chiqing.
  (If your kiss cannot hold it, then sprinkle on the mountain.)

Samarkand Region

Ramadan songs in the Samarkand region bear similarities to those in the Fergana Valley. However, variations in name pronunciation—such as "Gulnara" sometimes rendered as "Anora" or "Nigora"—reflect local preferences and serve to maintain the musical rhyme that is integral to this folk art.
Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga,
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door,)
Qo‘chqordek o‘g‘il bersin beshigingizga.
  (May you be granted a son as lively as a colt to fill your cradle.)
O‘choq kulda, katmonda pul,
  (There is laughter in the oven, and money in the layered pastry,)
Chiqara qoling, ming so‘m pul.
  (Please leave behind 1,000 soums.)
Ming so‘m pulni bog‘i bor,
  (There is a garden of 1,000 soums,)
Bog‘ida anori bor,
  (In that garden, there are pomegranates,)
Anorini ichida shaqir-shuqur puli bor.
  (Inside the pomegranate, there is abundant money.)
Opchiqing, opchiqing cho‘ntagizga sop chiqing.
  (Sister, come out, sister, come out and sprinkle onto your bag.)
Cho‘ntagizga sig‘masa, tog‘oraga sop chiqing.
  (If your bag cannot hold it, then sprinkle onto the mountain.)

Bukhara Region: “May Your Son Be the Leader”

In many parts of the Bukhara region, Ramadan songs are performed both during the day and in the evening. Unlike other regions where songs focus on wishing peace and prosperity, Bukhara’s Ramadan songs uniquely incorporate historical events, such as the story of Joseph and his brothers. These songs intertwine folklore with cultural heritage, reflecting on past narratives and imbuing the performance with deeper meaning.
Assalomu alaykum, bizlar kellik, Payg‘ambar yo‘lini izlab kellik,
  (Greetings, we have come dressed in humble clothes, seeking the path of the Prophet,)
Payg‘ambar yo‘liga keladi ro‘za, ro‘zaning savobi tegadi sizga,
  (Ramadan comes on the path of the Prophet, and its reward touches you,)
Zumbala-baley, zumbala-baley,
  (Zumbala-baley, zumbala-baley,)
Oq tanga, ko‘k tanga, chiqarib bering jon yanga,
  (White coin, blue coin, please bring them out, dear one,)
Yangajonim yashasin, ustiga baxmal tashasin,
  (May my beloved one live, and may they sprinkle a sweet treat upon him,)
Har kun bozor borganda, ming so‘m-ming so‘m tashasin,
  (Every day when you go to the market, give 1,000 soums repeatedly,)
Payg‘ambarning 11 o‘g‘li bor edi,
  (The Prophet had 11 sons,)
O‘n biridan shoyisi gulzor edi,
  (Among them, his favorite was called Gulzor,)
Shoyisini ovga olib chiqdilar,
  (They took his favorite as a prize in a hunt,)
Jarga tashab bo‘ri yedi dedila,
  (They said a wolf devoured it after tossing it into the trough,)
Otasi-onasi yugurib chiqdi jar boshiga,
  (His parents ran out in distress,)
Chashmalar ravon-ravon ko‘z yoshiga.
  (Glasses overflowed with tears.)
Tomdan sepdim sedona,
  (I sprinkled sedona from the rooftop,)
Terib yesin bedona,
  (Let the poor eat it generously,)
Tomdan sepdim mayiz,
  (I sprinkled raisins from the rooftop,)
O‘g‘lingiz bo‘lsin rais!
  (May your son be the leader!)

Kashkadarya Region: “Every Boy Is a Soldier”

In the oasis regions of Kashkadarya, the nature of Ramadan songs diverges from those of the valleys. In districts like Chiraqchi and Yakkabag, groups of four children sing a Ramadan song during the first three days of the month at every house. In subsequent days, the song is performed only at homes where residents have broken their fast and made donations. The lyrics express a wish for a son as strong as a ram—a recurring theme in Uzbek folklore reflecting the historical need for defenders of the homeland.
Ramazon aytib keldik eshigingizga,
  (We have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door,)
Qo‘chqorday o‘g‘il bersin beshigingizga,
  (May you be granted a son as lively as a colt to fill your cradle,)
O‘choqda kul, hamyonda pul,
  (There is laughter in the oven, and money in the wallet,)
Chiqara qoling, 5 ming pul.
  (Please leave behind 5,000 soums.)

Surkhandarya Region

In certain parts of the Surkhandarya region, children also carry on the tradition with local variations in melody and lyrics that echo the cultural nuances of the area.
Ramazon, ramazon aytib keldik,
  (Ramadan, Ramadan—we have come proclaiming it,)
Eshigingiz tagiga yetib keldik,
  (We have reached the threshold of your door,)
Bak-baka band, Baytulloh,
  ([Bak-baka band, Baytulloh] – an idiomatic expression invoking divine blessing,)
Eshigizga Rahmatulloh.
  (May God's mercy be upon your door.)
O‘choqda kul, katmonda pul.
  (There is laughter in the oven, and money in the layered pastry.)
Chiqara qoling, ming so‘m pul.
  (Please leave behind 1,000 soums.)
Ming so‘m pulni bog‘i bor,
  (There is a garden of 1,000 soums,)
Bog‘ida anori bor,
  (In that garden, there are pomegranates,)
Anorini ichida shaqir-shuqur puli bor,
  (Inside the pomegranate, there is abundant money.)
Yo Ramazon, yo Ramazon,
  (Oh Ramadan, oh Ramadan,)
Op chiqing, op chiqing,
  (Sister, come out, sister, come out,)
Cho‘ntagizga sob chiqing,
  (Sprinkle onto your bag,)
Cho‘ntagizga sig‘masa,
  (If your bag cannot hold it,)
Etagizga sop chiqing.
  (Then sprinkle onto the mount.)

Khorezm Region

In almost all areas of the Khorezm region, Ramadan songs are sung by children either three days before or during the first three days of Ramadan. The lyrical content, while similar in spirit to other regions, incorporates regional expressions and traditions unique to Khorezm.
Ro‘zani ilkin tutib galdik siza,
  (May we grasp Ramadan in its early hours,)
Sarpoyini baring biza,
  (May you display your [sarpoy] for us,)
O‘yingizni voni do‘shik, boni do‘shik,
  (May your thoughts be as plentiful as a close companion’s share,)
O‘rtasida qo‘sha beshik,
  (And may there be a shared cradle among you,)
Yeddi galin yugirib chiqsin,
  (Let seven [galin] run out,)
Yeddisini ham o‘g‘li bo‘lsin,
  (And may seven of them be your son,)
Olag‘ayla, bulag‘ayla,
  (May you receive abundant blessings,)
O‘yingizni oltin bilan suvag‘ayla,
  (May you adorn your mind with gold,)
Ob chiqing, sop chiqing,
  (Please provide water, please sprinkle,)
Qozonlarga solib chiqing.
  (Place it into the pots.)
Qozonlarga sig‘masa,
  (If the pots cannot hold it,)
5 ming, 5 ming barib chiqing.
  (Then pour in 5,000, 5,000 soums until full.)

Republic of Karakalpakstan: “If You Give Me Money, I Will Build You a House”

In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Ramadan songs are particularly diverse. In some places, the songs are performed in the Karakalpak language, and they differ significantly from those in other regions. One version of the song involves a promise: if the household gives money, the children will “build a house” for them—a metaphorical expression of goodwill and reciprocity.
Ya ramazan ayta keldim yesigiңe,
  (Oh Ramadan, I have come proclaiming it at your door,)
Koshkarday ul bersin besigiңe,
  (May you be granted a son as sturdy as [Koshkarday] to fill your cradle,)
Ak ak aktan keldim, shimbayskiy jaktan keldim,
  (I have come from the land of Aktan, from Shimbayskiy Jaktan,)
Tiyin bersen tuyip ber, aksha bersen uyip ber,
  (If you give a coin, then give a small tip; if you give money, then offer a gift,)
Ak kapi ashildi, kok kapi jauldi,
  (The black door has opened, the blue door has swung,)
uyiңizdegi balaga, sulu kiz tauildi,
  (May the child in your house be a beautiful, tender girl,)
Tagisin tagi bersin nesibeңe,
  (May your generosity continuously flow,)
muxammed xurmetine yaramazan,
  (In honor of Muhammad, let it be befitting Ramadan,)
Yaramazan ayta keldim yesigine,
  (I have come proclaiming Ramadan at your door,)
Koshkarday ul bersin besigine,
  (May you be granted a son as sturdy as [Koshkarday] to fill your cradle,)
Uyin aldi oy bolsin, kora toli koy bolsin,
  (May your home be blessed with a full moon, and let it be complete like a dark, rich field,)
Shayneginde kaynagan lyuki lyuki shay bolsin,
  (May the fire in your hearth burn with lively sparks,)
Uyin aldi bes terek, bes terekke su kerek,
  (May your home receive five trees, and each tree be well-watered,)
uyinizdegi balaga uzin shashli kiz kerek.
  (And may your child have a long-haired girl.)

Gypsy Ramadan: “He Who Fasts Is a Wrestler”

Among the Roma communities, Ramadan songs are a vibrant part of street culture. Gypsy performers take to the streets, markets, and other public spaces, singing songs with a distinct rhythm and joyful lament. Their songs, though slightly different in lyrics and tempo, complement the neighborhood Ramadan tradition, as donors contribute according to their means.
Assalomu alaykum, ey boylar,
  (Greetings, O wealthy ones,)
Qulluq bo‘lsin-o, yangi ro‘za oylar,
  (May you be in humble servitude, and may new Ramadan months be with you,)
Rabbima, yo rabbima, yo Ramazon,
  (Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, oh Ramadan,)
Muhammad ummatiga boy ramazon.
  (May Ramadan enrich the Ummah of Muhammad.)

Avval boshlab Xudoni yod etaylik,
  (From the beginning, let us remember God,)
O‘tgan payg‘ambar arvohini shod etaylik,
  (And let the spirit of past prophets bring joy.)
Rabbima yo rabbima yo Ramazon,
  (Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, oh Ramadan,)
Muhammad ummatiga boy Ramazon.
  (May Ramadan enrich the Ummah of Muhammad.)

Ota qibla, ona Ka’ba deydilar,
  (They say, “Father is Qibla, Mother is Ka’ba,”)
Ota-asranglar, bandalar.
  (O revered elders and servants,)
Rabbima yo rabbima yo Ramazon,
  (Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, oh Ramadan,)
Muhammad ummatiga boy Ramazon.
  (May Ramadan enrich the Ummah of Muhammad.)

Kimgadir berding farzandni bisyor,
  (To someone you gave a child abundantly,)
Kimnidir qilmagin sen tirnoqqa zor.
  (Do not force anyone with your stubborn pride.)
Rabbima yo rabbima yo Ramazon,
  (Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, oh Ramadan,)
Muhammad ummatiga boy Ramazon.
  (May Ramadan enrich the Ummah of Muhammad.)

Ro‘za ham 30 kunlik mehmondir,
  (Ramadan is a guest for 30 days,)
Ro‘zani tutgan kishi polvondir.
  (And whoever observes it is a champion.)
Rabbima yo rabbima yo Ramazon,
  (Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, oh Ramadan,)
Muhammad ummatiga boy Ramazon.
  (May Ramadan enrich the Ummah of Muhammad.)

Makkada bir yog‘och bor puldekkina,
  (In Mecca there is a wooden pole like a pedestal,)
Xudoyim nabira bersin guldekkina.
  (May God grant you a branch like a flower,)
Rabbima yo rabbima yo Ramazon,
  (Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, oh Ramadan,)
Muhammad ummatiga boy Ramazon.
  (May Ramadan enrich the Ummah of Muhammad.)

In conclusion, the month of Ramadan is a sacred time for Uzbeks and a period during which national values are vividly expressed through song. Through these melodies, children extend wishes for peace, unity, and prosperity, embodying a tradition that both uplifts and connects communities. The QALAMPIR.UZ team sincerely congratulates all Muslims on the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, wishing them family peace and good health.