Present-Day Religious Practices of Tajiks from Headwaters of Zeravshan River

The article presents the expedition materials of author, collected in upper reaches Zeravshan River. valley was distinguished by both harsh climatic and landscape conditions, isolation for most year. Nevertheless, Mountain Matcha is included religious life Republic Tajikistan. In villages with more than forty households, new standard mosques have built. Signifi cant assistance their construction provided state investors from Iran. Local residents, Tajiks, also provide all possible mosques, some which features local traditional architecture, such as a veranda carved support columns wooden ceiling beams decorated fl oral geometric patterns. mosque spiritual center village, mullah not only engaged performance rites, rituals cycle, but Muslim education children adults, organize material physical to poor families, widows, orphans. Unfortunately, buildings ancient that been preserved are deplorable state. On one hand, they suff ered greatly Soviet times, used shops, warehouses, houses culture, on other no eff orts made population conserve restore buildings. contrary, holy places ˗ mazars special attention Tajiks. Keepers monitor careful preservation cleanliness, residents participate restoration improvement. At present, tradition experiencing an upsurge against backdrop moral demands Tajik society.