An Intrepid Visit to an Uzbek Silk Factory

Usually I don't do this sort of thing - visit silk factories -, but in this case I did. Like the market featured in the previous post, the factory is located in the small city of Margilon, in the Uzbek portion of the Fergana Valley. Impressively, the factory continues to use ancient methods of production.

At the beginning of the process we have silk worm pupae. Note the cocoons and the pupae themselves. In Korea, these silk worm pupae are known as bundegi, and served in streetside stalls as a pungent yet tasty snack!

Extracting the silk from the cocoons. (This woman's job title is 'the extractor of the essence').

Another stage in the process: making the dyes from natural sources.

At the loom. Many of the weaving women stick pictures of their favorite heartthrobs onto the frames of their loom apparatuses, thus increasing the speed of production and the quality of their work (presumably).

A coy carpeteer.

Margilon Market - Virgin Ground for Tourists

While staying in Fergana City, Uzbekistan, I was able to make a side trip to the small town of Margilon. A few days before, there had been a suicide bombing 'incident' in the city of Andijon, nearby, but it was business as usual in the market and town, with the people seeming, for the most part, friendly and unfazed. The Margilon bazaar was one of the least touristed, and hence most 'authentic' that I have ever visited. Within a minute curious marketeers were asking where we were from. Though the people were shy about their appearances, and usually declined photo requests, photographic opportunities abounded. Here are some of the people of the market - a representative portrait of the people of the Fergana Valley, who continue to live in close communities and to practice strong traditions, centered upon their unique brand of Islam.

A photo taken upon the request of the shopkeepers.

Fresh greens.

Peppers and powders redder than red.

This venerable old fellow has two wives and six children.

Spicy sauces.