THE TUGAL CALCULATION AND UZBEK FOLK ASTRONOMY: A TRADITIONAL CALENDRICAL SYSTEM BASED ON THE MOON–HULKAR CONJUNCTION

This study examines the role of the Hulkar (Pleiades) star cluster in Uzbek folk astronomy and analyzes the traditional calendric system known as the Tugal calculation. It explores how ancient Central Asian societies relied on observations of celestial bodies to determine time, seasonal changes, and weather patterns. The research demonstrates that the Tugal system is based on the conjunction of the Moon with Hulkar and follows a sidereal lunar cycle of approximately 29 days, including a distinctive 40-day period of invisibility. The findings highlight that this system was especially significant for pastoral communities, providing a practical framework for organizing agricultural and livestock activities. The study concludes that Uzbek folk astronomy represents a complex and empirically grounded knowledge system with strong cultural and scientific value.