View source for Dastarkhān

[[File:Dastorqon for Nooruz.jpg|thumb|A [[Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyz]] dastorqon being prepared for an afternoon meal (of ''paloo'' ([[pilaf]]), not pictured) during [[Nooruz]].]]
A '''dastarkhan''' ({{lang-kk|дастарқан}}; {{IPA-kk|dɑstɑrqɑ́n|}}, {{lang-ky|дасторкон}} ''dastorqon'', [[Dari language|Dari]]: ''dastarkhawan'', {{lang-ur|دسترخوان}}, {{lang-ps|دسترخوان}}, {{lang-tg|дасторхон}}, ''dastarkhān'', {{lang-az|dəstərxan}}, {{IPA-ky|dɑstorqón|}}, {{lang-uz|dasturxon}} ''dasturxon'' {{IPA-uz|dasturxɒ́n|}}) is the name used across [[Central Asia]]<ref>Ken Albala. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=zG1H75z0EYYC&pg=RA2-PA49&dq=Dastarkhan+turkic&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAGoVChMI7vG8tNePyQIVhi4PCh2d4w_U#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20turkic&f=false ''Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia: Four Volumes''] ABC-CLIO, 25 mei 2011 ISBN 978-0313376276 p 49</ref><ref>Suad Joseph, Afsāna Naǧmābādī. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=bzXzWgVajnQC&pg=PA285&dq=Dastarkhan+traditional+central+asian+cuisine&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBGoVChMIisqd2tiPyQIVRRgPCh06FQgX#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20traditional%20central%20asian%20cuisine&f=false ''Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures: Family, Body, Sexuality And Health, Volume 3''] BRILL, 2003 ISBN 978-9004128194 p 285</ref><ref>Glenn Randall Mack, Asele Surina. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=j7MTx_zcIR0C&pg=PA39&dq=Dastarkhan+turkic&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAWoVChMI7vG8tNePyQIVhi4PCh2d4w_U#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20turkic&f=false ''Food Culture in Russia and Central Asia''] Greenwood Publishing Group, 1 jan. 2005 ISBN 978-0313327735 p 39</ref> to the traditional [[Space#In psychology|space]] where food is eaten. The term may refer to the [[tablecloth]] which is spread on the ground, floor, or table and is used as a sanitary surface for food, but it is also used more broadly to refer to the entire meal setting. It is part of traditional Central Asian cuisine.<ref>Suad Joseph, Afsāna Naǧmābādī. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=bzXzWgVajnQC&pg=PA285&dq=Dastarkhan+traditional+central+asian+cuisine&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBGoVChMIisqd2tiPyQIVRRgPCh06FQgX#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20traditional%20central%20asian%20cuisine&f=false ''Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures: Family, Body, Sexuality And Health, Volume 3''] BRILL, 2003 ISBN 978-9004128194 p 285</ref><ref>Glenn Randall Mack, Asele Surina. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=j7MTx_zcIR0C&pg=PA39&dq=Dastarkhan+turkic&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAWoVChMI7vG8tNePyQIVhi4PCh2d4w_U#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20turkic&f=false ''Food Culture in Russia and Central Asia''] Greenwood Publishing Group, 1 jan. 2005 ISBN 978-0313327735 p 39</ref> The term was introduced in [[South Asia]] by the Turkic invaders and conquerors from the Central Asia.

The word Dastarkhan is a Persian  word meaning "tablecloth" or "great spread".<ref>Ken Albala. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=zG1H75z0EYYC&pg=RA2-PA49&dq=Dastarkhan+turkic&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAGoVChMI7vG8tNePyQIVhi4PCh2d4w_U#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20turkic&f=false ''Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia: Four Volumes''] ABC-CLIO, 25 mei 2011 ISBN 978-0313376276 p 49</ref><ref>Glenn Randall Mack, Asele Surina. [https://books.google.nl/books?id=j7MTx_zcIR0C&pg=PA39&dq=Dastarkhan+turkic&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAWoVChMI7vG8tNePyQIVhi4PCh2d4w_U#v=onepage&q=Dastarkhan%20turkic&f=false ''Food Culture in Russia and Central Asia''] Greenwood Publishing Group, 1 jan. 2005 ISBN 978-0313327735 p 39</ref>

The food placed on a dastarkhan ranges from simple [[tea]] and [[Naan|bread]] (for small meals shared by a family) to various salads, nuts, candies, [[sorpa]], and meat set out for a feast.

A large cultural significance is placed on the dastarkhan among different groups, and as such, various traditions, customs, values, and prohibitions surround the use of the dastarkhan. These include, for example, that there is usually a dedicated drink (usually tea) pourer, or that one must never step on the dastarkhan.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dastarkhan}}
[[Category:Tajik cuisine]]
[[Category:Afghan cuisine]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani cuisine]]
[[Category:Kyrgyz cuisine]]
[[Category:Central Asia]]
[[Category:Central Asian cuisine]]