Chashmasor Jamoat

Geographic location

Chashmasor Rural Jamoat is part of Bobojon Ghafurov District, Sughd Region, and lies in the eastern part of the district. The total area of the jamoat is 15,777 hectares. Its administrative centre is the village of Mirzorobod, located 40 km from the district centre. Chashmasor is the most remote jamoat in the district.

Administrative structure

The jamoat administratively comprises the villages of Mirzorobod, Khujaobod, Dehqonobod, Dashtobod, Darai Bolo, Shabboda and Nekroh. There are 1,841 households in the jamoat, served by 36 mahalla committees. In total, 34 settlements lie within the jamoat, the most distant of which are located 52 km from the jamoat centre.

Historical and cultural background

Every settlement has its own history, customs and traditions, and the village of Chashmasor is no exception. Chashmasor — formerly known as Utkansoy — is regarded as one of the most remote jamoats in the district. Its village soviet was established in 1958, when the area was still part of Mastchoh District. The population is predominantly Uzbek and currently numbers 11,085 people.

In October 1974, Chashmasor was transferred as a village soviet from Mastchoh District to Bobojon Ghafurov District. Because the population is Uzbek, the villages bear Uzbek names: Ajrbuloq, Oynabuloq, Bars, Gumbuloq, Janonsoy, Jingiliq, Kamarqutan, Kattaoluchali, Kichikoluchali, Khushmullo, Qiliqquduq, Qizilbuloq, Qurgizbuloq, Kuhqashqor, Qatarbuloq, Kattaayli, Kichikayli, Quluqsoy, Mashraf, Mirzorobod, Oqur-cherakli, Tubchoq, Utkansoy, Hamroobod, Mirzobuloq, Shurali, Yakkatut and others.

Because the jamoat’s settlements lie in the foothills and residents draw water from springs, many of the village names contain the Uzbek word buloq, meaning “spring” (equivalent to the Tajik chashma). Thus the village names translate as “Red Spring”, “Clear Spring” and so on.

By Resolution No. 305 of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, dated 29 March 2013, the village of Utkansoy was renamed with the beautiful Tajik name Chashmasor. During the years of national independence, in order to strengthen the processes of national self-awareness and revive the ancient heritage of the region, the names of the villages were changed to the state language at the request and on the proposal of local residents.

Social infrastructure

Today the jamoat is served by 13 schools and a 25-bed hospital. There are also a cultural club and trading outlets on its territory.

Climate and natural resources

The jamoat sits in a steppe landscape and has a dry climate. Average summer temperatures range from +25 °C to +32 °C, while winter temperatures can drop to −20 °C. Fertile land shapes the agricultural profile of the jamoat — cotton, grain, fruit and vegetable growing. Because average annual rainfall is low (150–300 mm), intensive irrigation is essential.

Economy

Residents of the jamoat’s villages are mainly engaged in livestock farming, grain growing and, to some extent, horticulture.

Table 1. Population and households of Chashmasor Rural Jamoat