National currency is the Somoni
1 Somoni = 100 Diram
1 USD = 3.02 Somoni
1 Euro = 3.75 Somoni

Gemstones from Tadjikistan, semi precious stones are ruby, sapphire, violet and purple spinel, red garnet (so called Lal) formed deep inside the earth and emerald, Pamir lazurit, lapis lazuli, amethyst, tourmaline, aquamarine, beryl and ornamental quartz, cristal, which were formed closer to the surface. Spinel. Magnesium-aluminium oxide. MgAl2O4. Density 3.55, hardness 7.5-8. Garnet. A3B2(SiO4)3. Density 3.3-3.5. Tetrahedral structure. A vitreous silicate mineral, especially a transparent deep-red kind used as a gem.

The literature of Tadjiks is strongly linked to epics orally transmitted over many generations. Rustam and Isfandiar are favorite heroes in the Gurugli, an epic genre consisting of poetic dostons recitet in Dari, the Tadjik equivalent of Farsi/Persian. The relatively complete text of the Tadjik epic "Gurugli" consists of 100,000 lines. Masters of doston usually studied for 10 to 15 years before they became renowned and sought after performers at festivals, celebrations and at the court. A good memory, poetic and improvisational talent and the skill of playing the string instrument dutar were indispensable.

Penjikent is a small town on the banks of the Zeravshan river 65km east of Samarkand where the ruins of ancient Penjikent, a Sogdian city state of the V century are one of the major archaeological sites along The Great Silk Road. Some of the finest pre-Islamic works of art and objects were created during Penjikents cultural blossoming, inspired by elements ranging from the Crimean to China and Mongolia.

Abu-Abdullah Rudaki is the founder of Tadjik literature. Born near Penjikent in 934 or 858 and possibly blind from birth, depending on the source, the young boy displayed unusual intelligence according to a chronicler of his time. His talent to capture the essence of nature and of his people's lives, turning hopes and aspirations into poetry and his pleasant voice made him a coveted recitor all over the country and he also mastered the lute, excelling over his teacher, the famous Bakhtiar. One of the first to use the newly devised Persian alphabet with Arabic letters, his fame got him a position at the court of the Samanids in Bukhara where he prospered. It is said that he fell out of favor when he refused to produce empty praises of the ruler for pay and was blinded with hot iron yet another version states the reason being that with the passing away of his protector at the court, the powerful wazir Bal'ami, he was no longer able to sustain his position and fell victim to intrigue.
                No ordinary teacher will ever reach,
                He whom the passage of Time failed to teach.
Rudaki's poetry is simple in style, as court poetry should be. It reflects the charm of the pre-Islamic poetry of Iran. He avoids Arabism and Koranic verses. His poetry is accessible to the common man, needing neither explanation nor interpretation.

Suzani from Tadjikistan can be immediately identified. Their strong colours and large embroidered surfaces make them stand out. Outside of Tadjikistan they can be found in the trading domes of Bukhara's old town, at specialized boutiques in Tashkent, the Medresses and crafts centers of Samarkand. Or of course in rural areas such as Boysun in southern Uzbekistan with a predominantly Tadjik population and culture.

Tadjik is the name used in Tadjikistan and Dari is the Afghan name for Farsi, the Arabic word for Parsi, Persian, used in the West, as the letter P is not known in the Arabic language. "Tadjik" was the Persian word for the conquering Arabs. Tadjik and Dari are part of the Indoeuropean languages with their sub groups Indoiranian and finally western Indoiranian. Tadjik is devided in 4 groups, the northern dialect also spoken in southern Ouzbekistan and Kyrghyzstan, the central dialect of Matcha, Aini, Gissar and Varzob, the southern version of Badakhshan for instance and the south east dialect of Pianj and Darvaz. Written Tadjik is cyrillic or now increasingly in latin letters.

Where in the world and on the globe is Tadjikistan?
The Republic of Tajikistan is situated between 36° 40" and 41° 05" of the northern latitude and 67° 31" and 75° 14" of the eastern longitude. Tajikistan lies in the same latitudes of such countries as Italy, Spain, and central part of Japan. Neighboring countries are Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan.