This study analyzes the perception of curses among the indigenous Muslim population of Uzbekistan within traditional culture, religious norms, and modernization. Combining quantitative survey analysis (N=193) with interpretive analysis of open-ended responses, and drawing on theories of deviance, functionalism, magical thinking, and attribution, it finds that about 60% of respondents view belief in curses as a cultural norm while about 35% regard it as superstition. Tolerant attitudes were most common among older, less-educated groups. The study highlights an ongoing cultural conflict between traditionalism and modernism.