03/04/2026
Ba Tojikiston, hamaaton khush omaded! Welcome to Tajikistan, everyone! At today’s Atlas Series event, we were guided through Takjikistan, where 93% of the land is mountains, hospitality is a way of life, and community is at the heart of everyday moments.
Attendees learned about:
Multilingual life in Tajikistan – where many people grow up speaking Tajik, Russian, and English.
Mountain culture – villages nestled in high altitudes that shape a strong, patient, and close-knit people.
Hospitality and community – from evening village gatherings to never arriving empty-handed and treating bread with deep respect.
Traditional foods – including plov (a beloved dish for celebrations) and shared plates eaten by hand.
Music, dance, and clothing – emotional, story-filled music; energetic wedding dances; and colorful regional dresses that express identity and tradition.
Natural and cultural landmarks – soaring Pamir Mountains, icy lakes, hot springs, the “roof of the world” highways, major hydropower projects, cotton fields, and one of the largest mosques in Central Asia.
The event featured traditional music and dance, a quiz with Tajik souvenirs as prizes, a fashion showcase of regional attire, and, of course, homemade Tajik food for everyone to enjoy.
International Support Services at KU hosts the Atlas Series on the first Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. in 3 West Reading Room, Watson Library, with each event featuring a different country represented here at KU. Next up, Turkey, on April 7. The Atlas Series is hosted during the fall and spring semesters and is open to all.
