This article examines the historical roots, ethnographic features and educational significance of the folk games of the Surxon Valley. The study is based on written sources (Mahmud Koshg‘ariy’s “Devonu lug‘ati-t-turk”, “Avesto”, Firdavsiy’s “Shohnoma”, the “Alpomish” and “Manas” epics, as well as the works of S. Firsov, A. Asqarov, G.P. Snesarev, A. Borovkov and others), archaeological findings and field materials collected in 2014–2023 in various districts of Surxondaryo region. Special attention is paid to equestrian traditions and their reflection in mythology, dastans and children’s games, as well as to the classification of games into object-based, non-object and prize games. The research demonstrates that the folk games of the Surxon Valley are closely connected with animal husbandry, agriculture and ancient beliefs. They have served not only as a means of entertainment but also as an important tool for physical, intellectual and moral education of the younger generation, the preservation of cultural heritage and the strengthening of social cohesion. The article concludes that the documentation, inclusion in educational programmes and development of these games as national sports remain urgent tasks.

Surxon Valley, folk games, equestrian traditions

Фирсов С. Туркестан и Туркестанские породы лошадей... Т. 478. – С.110.

Орлова А. Казахский героический эпос. – М., 1945. – С.85.

Bahaeddin Ögel. Dünden bugüne Türk kültürünün gelişme çağları. – Istanbul, 1998. – B.87.

Mahmud Koshg‘ariy. Devonu lug‘ati-t-turk. T. III. – Toshkent: Fan, 1961. – B.263.

Tohir Karim. Muqaddas Avesto izidan. – Toshkent: Cho‘lpon, 2000. – B.136.

Mahmudov T. Avesto haqida. – Toshkent: Sharq, 2000. – B.46-47.

Диваев А. Известия общества. Туркестанский сборник. 1897. Т.478. – С.176.

Abulqosim Firdavsiy. Shohnoma. – Toshkent: G‘.G‘ulom nomidagi adabiyot va san’at nashriyoti, 1984. – B.34, 390-395, 504-505.

Asqarov A. O‘zbek milliy kurashining arxeologik materiallarda aks etishi // Markaziy Osiyoda an’anaviy va zamonaviy etnomadaniy jarayonlar. 2-qism. – Toshkent, 2005. – B.3-13.

Asqarov A. O‘sha asar. – B.3-13.

Abdulaxatov N., G‘oziev T. Burhoniddin Marg‘iloniy: tarixiy haqiqat va asotirlar. – Toshkent: Yangi asr avlodi, 2010. – B.246.

Снесарев Г.П. Пачиз // СЭ. 1962. – №5.

Abdulaxatov N., G‘oziev T. Burxoniddin Marg‘inoniy: tarixiy xakikat va asotirlar. – Toshkent: Yangi asr avlodi, 2010. – B.268.

G‘oyibov B. Panjikent devoriy suratlarida xalkning madaniy-maishiy xayoti // O‘zbekiston tarixi asrlar silsilasida. – Samarqand, 2010. – B.42.

Боровков А. Аист и связанные с ним приметы и поверья у местного населения // Сб. научного кружка при Востфаке САГУ. Вып. II. – Ташкент, 1928. – С.33.

Токарев С. Ранние формы религии. – М.: Политиздат, 1990. – С.209.

Боровков А. O‘sha asar. – С.33.

Field notes. Shurchi District, Oqtumshuq Village. 2020.

Field notes. Shurchi district: Saksonkapa and Obodon villages. 2022.

Mahmud Koshg‘ariy. Devonu lug‘ati-t-turk. I tom. – B.367, 460.

Mahmud Koshg‘ariy. Devonu lug‘ati-t-turk. III tom. – B.390.

Mahmud Koshg‘ariy. Devonu lug‘ati-t-turk. I tom. – B.439.

Mahmud Koshg‘ariy. Devonu lug‘ati-t-turk. II tom. – B.108, 111, 256.

Field notes. Angor district, Zang village, 2023.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Sherabad mahalla, 2020.

Жўраев М. Ўзбек халқ эртакларида сеҳрли рақамлар. – Тошкент: Фан, 1991. – Б.90.

Field recording. Boysun district, Urta Machay village. 2022.

Field notes. Shurchi district, Oqtumshuq village. 2020.

Field notes. Altynsay District. Akrbulak, Jilibulak, and Botosh mahallas. 2022.

Андреев М.С. Таджики долины Хуф. Вып. 1. – Сталинабад, 1957. – С.112-113.

Шаниязов К.Ш. Узбеки-карлуки... – С.167-168.

Mahmud Koshg‘ariy. Devonu lug‘otit turk. I jild. – Toshkent: Fan, 1960. – B.445.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Khatak village, 2022.

Field notes. Kyzylalma village, Sherabad district, 2022.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Khojankan village, 2023.

Field notes. Termez district, M. Eshtemirov mahalla, 2022.

Field notes. Termez district, M. Eshtemirov mahalla, 2022.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Khojankan village, 2023.

Тошпўлатов Ж. Сурхондарё вилояти педагогик жамоалари ва спорт ташкилотларининг ёшлар ўртасида жисмоний тарбия ва спорт ишларини такомиллаштириш... – Тошкент, 1978. – Б.78.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Sherabad mahalla, 2019.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Bedak village, 2020.

Турсунов С.Н. Сурхондарё вилояти тарихини ўрганиш. – Тошкент: Абдулла Қодирий номидаги Халқ мероси нашриёти, 1997. – Б.54.

Field notes. Sangardak village, Sariasia district, 2021.

Field notes. Manguzar mahalla, Termez district. 2021.

Field notes. Jarkurgan district. Madaniyat and Khayitobod neighborhoods. 2022.

Field notes. Sherabad district, Khatak village, 2019.

Field notes. Boysun district, Chilanzar village, 2014.

Field notes. Shurob village, Boysun district, Surkhandarya region. 2021.

Афзалов М. Ўзбек халқ эртаклари ҳақида. – Т., 1964. – Б.64.

Field notes. Altynsay, Sariasia, Uzun, and Baysun districts. 2019-2023.

Қорабоев У. Халқ ўйинларининг шаклланиши ҳақида // Этномаданият. – Тошкент, 2003. – Б.67.

Field notes. Boysun, Sherabad, Jarkurgan, Muzrabat, Denau districts of Surkhandarya region. 2022-2023.

Field notes. Surkhandarya region Boysun, Sherabad, Jarkurgan, Muzrabat, Denau districts 2022-2023.

Турсунов С.Н., Пардаев Т.Р. “Ўзбекистон жанубий ҳудудларида номоддий маданият тарихи”. – Тошкент: “Муҳаррир”, 2013.