"Surnaichi-risale" - Charter (instructions) of the musicians' guild

Uzbek

Turkestan Krai, Syr-Darya Oblast, city Shymkent

late 19th century

Paper

РЭМ 1272-24

Puppeteers ("kurchakboz") were united in a guild-like craft organization and had their own charter, the risolya. According to written tradition, they belonged to the mekhtarlik (mekhtar-metar – musician on the surnay), which also included traveling actors (clowns, acrobats, tightrope walkers, magicians) and musicians playing various instruments. They also shared a charter, the "risolya," which contained an indication of the divine origin of the guild and offered religious and moral instructions. The patron (pir) of the guild was considered to be Hazrat Jabrail (Archangel Gabriel).