What is an Uzbek Hovli?

In Uzbekistan, a hovli is not just a regular courtyard. It is a style and institution of life. Usually, several families of three or more generations live in one hovli: the parents with the man (husband) as head of that family, their children and grandparents, who are usually parents and the head of their own family.

A Hovli consists of several independent houses or one house divided into sections with independent entrances. Every family spends the night in their own section; but during the day, they spend time together having breakfast, lunch, teatime, and dinner.

If the son (3^rd generation) of the head of the family gets married, he stays with his wife at that house. If there is a way to build another section or house in that hovli, then he lives their. If there is no room, then he and his wife move to their own apartment or another house, but only after living with his parents for a certain amount of time (approximately one year).

The youngest son or only son must live with his parents. Later, he will inherit the house and will be the head of that hovli when his father ages.