The Silk Road led through the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kashgar, Khotan, Turfan und many more. Those used to be the important trading centres of central Asia, which were once reigned by the so called khans, local rulers.
The characteristics of central Asian dances are their lyrical content, precision and rich emotions along with various movements of arms and hands, poetic and emotional gestures, elegant poses and steps. It is considered a very ancient dance culture. Classical art dances often were performed at court by professional Bacca (young men wearing women costumes). At celebrations of all kind, receptions and other festivities, men and women used to dance to old folk songs and lyrical melodies. During the 20th century, a public stage art was developed, whose dances are still performed by groups and male and female soloists respectively.