How to Play Uzbek "Mafiya Game"

In Uzbekistan, the game "Mafiya" (Мафия) is a popular social deduction game, especially among children and teenagers. It is similar to the internationally known "Mafia" game, which was originally created in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The game is played in groups and involves deception, teamwork, and logical thinking.

How to Play Uzbek "Mafiya"

1. Roles and Setup

Players sit in a circle, and a moderator (or "host") secretly assigns roles. The main roles usually include:

Mafia (Mafiya) – The "bad guys" who secretly eliminate players.

Civilians (Tinch aholi) – Regular townspeople who try to figure out who the mafia members are.

Doctor (Shifokor) – Can save one person each round.

Detective (Militsiya or Tekshiruvchi) – Can investigate one person per round to find out if they are mafia.

2. Game Phases

Night Phase: All players close their eyes. The mafia secretly chooses a player to eliminate. The doctor selects someone to save, and the detective investigates one player.

Day Phase: Everyone opens their eyes, and the moderator announces who was "killed" (unless the doctor saved them). Players discuss, accuse, and vote to eliminate a suspected mafia member.

3. Winning Conditions

The mafia wins if they outnumber the civilians.

The civilians win if they eliminate all mafia members.

Uzbek Variations

In Uzbekistan, this game is often played in schools, youth clubs, and family gatherings. Some versions include additional roles like "journalist" or "spy," and others may add storytelling elements to make it more fun.