Turkmenistan is one of the countries closed to external observers. They often say that living there is difficult, there is almost no freedom, and in religious terms there is almost repression. Is this really true?

What is the most influential faith among Turkmens today, and is there such a thing at all? Let's talk about the religion of the Turkmens.

Turkmens are descendants of the legendary Oguz Khan

Let's avoid unnecessary details and focus on the main facts. Turkmens are a Turkic people. Historically, it goes back to the Oguzes, who, according to legend, had a legendary ancestor Oguz Khan.

If one existed, it is not clear exactly when. Researchers give too broad estimates: from the 7th century BC to the 3rd century AD.

Turkmens in national clothes. Photo: advantour.com

Over the centuries, the ancestors of the Turkmens mixed with different peoples and purchased their features. Historically, Turkmens lived on the territory of modern Turkmenistan, but they are settled over a much wider territory: Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.

The state in Turkmenistan interferes in religious life, although it should not

At first glance, if you rely on the Constitution, then in religious terms everything is fine in Turkmenistan. The state guarantees people freedom of opinion, allows them to express them and receive the necessary information.

The restrictions apply only to various information constituting state secrets.

The limits of state and religious activity, according to the papers, are delimited and are not suppressed. All religious organizations are promised equality before the law and are prohibited from participating in the political life of the country.

Also, religious institutions should not interfere in the educational process, and every person has the right to freely, on his own initiative, become acquainted with their religious teachings, or not be interested in religion at all. But in fact, everything is far from so rosy.

The first serious blow to religious organizations is the requirement for their mandatory registration. Seems like a formality. But, as practice shows, not every community is able to pass this entry threshold.

Since 2016, a special Commission has been resolving religious issues in Turkmenistan.

However, this is not the worst thing. If events develop favorably, you can even obtain a license to create an educational religious institution. True, it will be necessary to attract competent, certified specialists as teachers. There is no other way.

Registering and letting everything take its course will not work. In 2016, a law was adopted according to which a special Commission studies the activities and materials of religious organizations. If claims arise against these organizations, serious measures may be taken against them.

In fact, it is this Commission that resolves dozens of issues related to religious organizations:

• controls the implementation of legislation;
• checks complaints;
• approves the manager if the center of the organization is outside the country;
• organizes religious studies examinations;
• monitors religious literature entering the country;
• resolves issues of registration and opening of religious institutions.

A number of issues can also be resolved by local governments. So religious organizations cannot exist completely autonomously. They remain heavily dependent on the state.

Let's say the same procession will need to be agreed upon. He doesn’t agree - it would be illegal to carry out such a ritual beyond a religious building.

In 1994, the so-called Gengesh was founded. This body oversees various religious organizations. It consists of the following persons:

• mufti;
• Deputy Mufti;
• Orthodox dean;
• civil official.

The reason for this composition is clear: representatives of leading religious traditions plus a neutral person.

Mosque Turkmenbashi Rukhy– the main mosque of Turkmenistan. Photo: advantour.com

Council members were paid for government account. This is strange for secular state, but what we have is what we have.

Gengesh conducts examinations and provides consultations on religious issues. In fact, it is an intermediate organization between secular and religious. It is significant that members of the Gengesh freely and often participate in religious activities.

In ancient times, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity were practiced on the territory of Turkmenistan

In the pre-Islamic period, representatives of 3 great world religions had already visited here. Let's talk a little about each.

Buddhism - teaching on how to leave material world, full of suffering. Buddhism is not atheistic in nature, but completely ignores the question of the existence of God. Much more important is the way of life and thinking of an individual person. Buddhism is a constant practice, a philosophy of moderation, and the most peaceful religious tradition in the world.

Zoroastrianism is a religion that spun off from Hinduism during the crisis of the Vedas.

The main task of Zoroastrianism was to completely reject the Vedic heritage and create a new religious tradition that would avoid the mistakes of the previous one.

As a result, the prophet Zarathustra created a religion that gave rise to dualistic traditions. Zoroastrianism is the first teaching that divides the world into evil and good. This is where monotheistic traditions originate. Much in Judaism and Christianity is based on the ideas of Zoroastrianism: there are angels, doomsday, analogue of the devil, etc.

Christianity needs no introduction. It only makes sense to say that the Turkmens became acquainted with it around the 3rd century.

Religion of 90% of Turkmens is Islam

What is the most popular religion among Turkmens? This is Sunni Islam. This religion was created by the legendary prophet Muhammad. Distinctive feature Islam - what it is Holy Bible not attributed to a person. The implication is that this text is a direct revelation from God.

Islam is a young religion, but its supporters are convinced that it is the most correct one. The idea is that it was Islam that was practiced on earth from the very beginning. Christianity, Judaism and other religions are teachings distorted by time and people. Muhammad revived the former faith in its original form.

Reconstruction of the appearance of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Photo: god2019.net

Sunni Islam is a tradition that does not honor the relatives of Muhammad. In contrast, there is Shiite Islam.

Having arrived on the territory of modern Turkmenistan, Muslims supplanted all other traditions and still maintain a leading position.

There are almost half a million Orthodox among the Turkmens

Turkmens are reluctant to change their religion to Orthodoxy. Most of the believers are visitors. Christian Orthodoxy is represented only by the Russian Orthodox Church.

how many Orthodox Christians are there in Turkmenistan in 2019

There are about half a million parishioners. This is approximately 9% of the total population, making Orthodoxy the second most important religion among the Turkmens.

According to current estimates for the fall of 2019, there were 12 Orthodox churches in Turkmenistan, where only 15 priests served.

Church of the Holy Trinity. The village of Gora-Valdai in Turkmenistan. Photo: gora-valdai.ru

Gradually, Orthodoxy attracts more and more residents of Turkmenistan. The reason for this is explained in a material for the CentralAsia website by one former imam, whose name the journalists chose not to give:

“The reason is the “nationalization” of Islam, which S. Niyazov began about 15 years ago.

I am a deeply religious person, but I can say that when the state begins to interfere in religious affairs, and without understanding them at all, begins to appoint a mufti and responsible persons in every mosque, not to mention the worship of the Rukhnama on a par with the Koran, then nothing no good will come of this.

Let it be better state remains secular than such “support” of Islam. What you are asking about is the main consequence of this intervention.

I am afraid that this trend - the departure of Muslims to other religions - will only increase. After all, it’s not only our people who are converting to Orthodoxy.

Now there are many different sects that are very actively working with the population and involving people in their faith. And in difficult times, people need spiritual support, and they seek it.

But the mosques are now occupied by people who are poorly versed in Islam and who do not have the appropriate education. Treating serving the Great Allah as work.

Therefore, many become disillusioned with Islam or simply stop going to mosques, preferring to pray at home.

The other day I watched a report on TV about a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. There Berdymukhammedov demands that the khyakim of Mary velayat report on the progress of construction of the mosque in Mary.

This means that again the state will decide where to build mosques, who should build them and, accordingly, will itself appoint imams there.

Why is this? Why are they interfering in religious affairs again? One hope is that the hajj he is performing and the meetings with the leaders of Saudi Arabia will teach our president something.”

12 Orthodox parishes for 2019 are valid in Turkmenistan.

Uzbek Zarina I., who converted to Christianity in 2002, talks about more personal reasons for converting to Orthodoxy:

“In the Russian Church, unlike a mosque (where you can only come on Friday), we can come at any time.

The church is open from morning to evening. Here we can talk with the priest, get good advice from him on what to do in this or that life situation.”

There are Catholics, Protestants, Hare Krishnas and representatives of other traditions in Turkmenistan

The religious world of Turkmenistan is not limited to Muslims and Orthodox Christians. Almost all believers of other religions are immigrants who have remained faithful to their religious traditions.

Among the Christians, there are both Catholics (about 50 people!) and Lutherans. Both are officially registered. But Jehovah's Witnesses are much less fortunate: they operate illegally. At the same time, there are small Christian Christian communities that have nevertheless achieved recognition from the state

There is even a small Hare Krishna community in Turkmenistan:

• Pentecostals;
• Baptists;
• Adventists.

Besides Christian churches there is also a Hare Krishna community, registered in 2004.

Turkmenistan is one of the most interesting countries Central Asia. Being an important center of the Great Silk Road, the territory of Turkmenistan is full of historical and cultural monuments. An original population lives here and centuries-old traditions are carefully preserved. Here you can find unique natural complexes and extremely diverse landscape forms, from picturesque mountain ranges to desert sands, from green oases to many kilometers of sea coast.

Turkmenistan borders Afghanistan and Iran in the south, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the north, and is washed by the Caspian Sea in the west. Most of the territory is occupied by the Karakum desert. The huge, sultry desert surprises with its richness of plants and animals, many of which are unique and found only here, as well as the diversity of landscapes and climatic zones.

The southern and western regions of the country are occupied by a whole series of mountain ranges that are part of the Kopetdag (“Many Mountains”) system,

Big and Small Balkhan, etc.

The climate in the country is sharply continental, arid, but in some places there are even subtropics.

The natural attractions of the country include the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, the Karlyuk caves (about 60 underground halls), the ancient Boyadag mud volcano, ancient pistachio forests in the Kopetdag reserve, the highest point of the Kopetdag (“Three Wells”), and the unique Er-Oylan depression -Duz, occupied by a salt lake above which low but colorful cones of ancient volcanoes rise.

It is known from history that the Turkmens were among the first in the region to accept Islam. According to some sources, this happened in the 7th-8th centuries. In the 10th century, Turkmenistan was the center of the powerful Seljuk state, and later was subject to Khorezm. During the reign of the Seljuks and Khorezmshahs, culture was highly developed on the territory of modern Turkmenistan. The mosques, mausoleums and other beautiful buildings built here represented the most valuable works of that period.

The ruins of the ancient cities of Turkmenistan are still preserved. One of the largest cities ancient world- Merv (Margush, Margiana, Mouru or Maru) was once a center of science and culture. Today he is included in the List World Heritage, as the best preserved ancient center of the Great Silk Road. Serakhs is a major trading point on the Great Silk Road between Nishapur and Merv. With the advent of Islam there, the city became one of the significant centers of trade routes, and the skill of local architects and builders became famous throughout Central Asia.

Kunya-Urgench (Gurganj) is the ancient capital of Northern Khorezm. In 995 it became the residence of the Khorezm Shah and the second largest city after Bukhara, the capital of the Samanid Empire. Al-Beruniy, Ibn Battuta and other famous figures of that time lived in this major cultural and commercial center of the Middle Ages. In 1221, Kunya-Urgench, which was then the “heart of Islam,” was destroyed by the Mongols. Many great monuments of Kunya-Urgench have survived to this day in a destroyed form. Among them are the tallest minaret in Central Asia, Kutlug-Timur, and the Ak-Kala fortress.

On the lands of ancient Dehistan from the 8th to the 14th centuries stood the city of Misrian, which reached its greatest power during the period of the Khorezmshahs. Its former greatness is evidenced by numerous ruins of various structures that have survived to this day: two minarets 25 m high, a portal cathedral mosque, the remains of clay city walls, the ruins of caravanserais and some other buildings. Fortunately, one of the oldest mosques in the country, Mashad-ata, or as it is also called Shir-Kabir, dating back to the 12th century, has been preserved in these parts. This mosque with its magnificent decoration of very fine workmanship has been known among the people since ancient times.

Among the great Islamic scientists who were of Turkmen origin, there was an expert on Hadith, the ruler of Irbil - Muz affar Abu Sa'id ibn Baktakin Al-Kyaukyabriy At-Turkmaniy, who was the first to celebrate Mawlid (the birth of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). This happened. in the 7th century according to Ijra. The celebration itself included the story of the birth of the Prophet Mukh ammad, peace be upon him, the reading of the Holy Qur'an, salauat and refreshments for all those present. This event received the approval of all Islamic scientists of that time and became one of the great Muslim traditions. The ruler Muzaffar himself, every year in the month of Rabi'ul-auwal, allocated huge funds during the Maulids, distributed assistance to the poor, orphans and widows. It was he who gathered scientists to write the texts of the Maulid (the story of the birth of our Prophet), which are still Muslims all over the world are read on different languages during this joyful event.

The capital and largest city of modern Turkmenistan, Ashgabat (“City of Love”), is located in a vast oasis lying in the foothills of the Kopetdag, on the very edge of the sultry desert. Its main attractions include the Ertogrulgazy Mosque with four minarets and a huge dome. The capital's carpet museum houses the largest carpet in the world, with an area of ​​almost 400 square meters. m and weighing more than a ton. The city of Turkmenbashi, the only major port in all of Central Asia, is surrounded on the east by a crescent of low mountains, and in the west it is washed by the turquoise-blue waters of the Caspian Sea.

Most customs and traditions accompany the entire life and everyday life of local residents. One of the most beautiful customs remains special holding Nikah (marriage), all preliminary preparations of which are undertaken by special representatives of the families. The wedding can last several days and is usually expected for several hundred guests, that is, the entire area was invited.

The Turkmen people are friendly and welcoming, and are famous for their hospitality. Throughout the world, Turkmens are known as excellent horsemen, carpet makers and skilled cooks.

Turkmenistan is famous for horse breeding. The famous “fast as the wind” Akhal-Teke horses glorified the country throughout the world. This is a truly unique breed - fast, graceful, with a chiseled “swan” neck and thin “dry” legs, and at the same time surprisingly hardy.

The carpets that Turkmen women weave by hand have also gained worldwide fame. The carpet is a symbol of the Turkmen people. Among the elements of the composition of the Turkmen carpet pattern there are recognized masterpieces of carpet ornamentation. According to experts, the carpet patterns combine oriental traditions and Islamic culture. Turkmen carpet makers passed on from generation to generation the secrets of natural dyeing of yarn and its strength, thanks to which carpets retain their original appearance for centuries. This is where the old saying comes from: “a carpet is softer than a rose and stronger than a stone.” In Turkmenistan, each tribe (region) has its own ornament, and the flag of the country depicts carpet ornaments of all regions of the country.

Anyone who has visited Turkmenistan at least once will confirm: “A trip to this amazing region remains in the memory for a long time.”

Turkmenistan - Muslim country, and the Turkmen were among the first in the region to convert to Islam. However, faith has clearly visible national differences here. Tribal relations that have developed over centuries are no less important in Turkmenistan than religious dogmas. Even city residents clearly identify members of their tribal group, but in remote areas clan and tribal loyalties become simply dominant. Each tribal group easily distinguishes the dialect, style of clothing and jewelry, embroidery and even the texture and style of carpets of its group, and is well versed in the characteristics of other tribes.

Of all the Central Asian countries and peoples, the Turkmen are perhaps the most committed to their traditional clothing. Until now, many residents of the country with visible pleasure wear shaggy hats, long quilted robes, and loose trousers that look like bloomers. Women often wear long silk dresses and striped trousers, hiding their hair under light scarves and headscarves. And the point here is not at all about ethnic differences - such clothes are simply comfortable in the hot and dry local climate. And the ornaments also serve as protective signs.

A large number of customs and traditions accompany the entire life of local residents and the life of the family. For example, celebrating a marriage is one of the major events in the life of Turkmen, and not only the bride and groom themselves, but the entire community. In rural areas, where many old traditions that have come into local life since nomadic times have been preserved, all the preliminary preparations for the wedding are undertaken by special representatives of families. Kalym is another one an important part ceremonies. Depending on the region and income, the size of the ransom varies, but the bride’s family may demand a truly huge bride price from the groom. And the wedding itself is a real holiday for the entire community. It can last several days and is usually calculated for several hundred guests.

Carpet weaving is another of the country's ancient traditions and a symbol of the Turkmen people. For the nomadic Turkmen, the carpet was always the only piece of furniture - easily transportable and warm carpets served to cover the outer edges of the kara-oy yurts, as flooring, and as a bed. At the same time, their elegant and intricate design, unique for each ethnic group, was both the calling card of the family and the decoration of the home. The art of carpet weaving, very complex and labor-intensive, was traditionally passed down from generation to generation, and the ability to weave beautiful carpets was considered one of the main benefactors of brides and wives. In Turkmenistan, the carpet was and is something sacred; even the flag of the country depicts carpet motifs. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that a real carpet is a work of art and is very expensive.

The same attention is paid jewelry. These include numerous women's jewelry, which serves as an expression of traditions and a sign of social status, and men's items, which for many centuries were the main form of accumulation - a bag with treasury in a nomadic lifestyle would rather serve as a burden. Moreover, jewelry also has a symbolic status, indicating the age, marital and tribal status, social status and wealth of their owners. The works of Turkmen masters of the past have survived in large numbers to this day and are family heirlooms, carefully passed down from generation to generation. Modern jewelers are no less skilled. Moreover, not only luxury items are often artistically decorated, but also weapons, clothing, horse harnesses, household and religious objects, as well as carpets and various items utensils

The Turkmens themselves, for the most part, are quite friendly and welcoming. Over the years of independence, the flow of tourists to the country has dropped greatly, and now meeting a foreigner is rare for many of them. And given the well-known cosmopolitan nature of the local residents, this factor is important for them - many Turkmen remember with nostalgia the times of the USSR and are very happy with “guests” from the north and beyond. Moreover, oddly enough, often these understandable emotions are hidden under a mask at the first contact “My, yours, don’t understand,” but it quickly “evaporates” with a sincere interest in the life and way of life of the hosts. Well, taking into account the peculiarities of local hospitality, which many travelers put on a par with Caucasian hospitality, communication with Turkmens usually quickly turns into a pleasant experience. both sides event.

IN last years Official propaganda quite clearly focuses on the exclusivity of the Turkmen people and the greatness of its leader, so cases of xenophobia still sometimes occur in local life. However, they are quite rare and belong mainly to representatives of the “90s generation”.

National culture of Turkmenistan Like a sponge, it absorbed the peculiarities of the beliefs of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Christianity, but the dominant religious customs with the advent of Islam are the traditions and rituals of Sharia. No less important than religious dogmas are the tribal relations of the Turkmens that have developed over the centuries. The revered and wise elders – aksakals – enjoy unsurpassed authority. Each tribal group has its own distinct cultural characteristics, distinctive elements of national clothing, embroidery and jewelry.

Religion of Turkmenistan

Today, the dominant one is Islam, which belongs to the vast majority of the country's population. 89% of residents are Sunni Muslims, 9% of believers adhere to the customs of Orthodox Christianity.

Economy of Turkmenistan

In terms of GDP, it is the ninety-fourth largest economy in the world. Turkmenistan has developed textile, food and chemical industries. Foreign trade is dominated by the export of petroleum products and gas.

Science of Turkmenistan

State Turkmenistan The population is almost completely literate. The modern one is distinguished by a developed system of primary and secondary education, which, along with scientific research is supervised by the Academy of Sciences. The Academy is in charge of scientific institutes, including last place occupied by the world famous Desert Institute.

Art of Turkmenistan

The diversity of the ethnogenesis of the Turkmen people had a significant impact on, in which the motives of the Turkic and Iranian peoples can be traced. The most ancient traditions country and the symbol of the Turkmen people is the unsurpassed art of carpet weaving. According to ancient legends, it was in this amazing country that the world’s first carpet was woven. Carpets of Turkmenistan are distinguished by the special subtlety and purity of traditional “gel” patterns. The skill of carpet weaving is passed down from generation to generation and is the national pride of the country.

Cuisine of Turkmenistan

Culture The country is strong with its culinary traditions. Diverse and amazing - aromatic soups umpach-zashi and gaynatma, the splendor of traditional main courses, beshmarbek and of course Turkmen pilaf - will not leave true gourmets indifferent. Only in Turkmenistan can you taste the most unusual pilaf in Asia, in which fish is used instead of traditional lamb. Coastal geography of Turkmenistan led to a fairly wide use of seafood in national cuisine.

Customs and traditions of Turkmenistan

Original traditions and customs of Turkmenistan roots go back to ancient culture Turkic Oguz people and Islamic religion. Most traditions and customs accompany local residents throughout their lives and largely determine their way of life. One of the most striking and beautiful customs is the tradition of marriage, preparation for which is a real event in the life of a family. The wedding ritual is reproduced most colorfully and in detail in rural settlements.

Sports of Turkmenistan

The Turkmen people are traditionally considered a sports nation - sport Turkmenistan goes back to the ancient traditions of the past. Among the national sports there are various styles and types of wrestling; football is no less favorite among modern Turkmens.

Turkmen belong to the Turkic-speaking people of ancient Oguz origin. They are the main population of Turkmenistan. Turkmens living in Iraq, Syria, Turkey are the descendants of the people who moved to the territory of Anatolia and the Middle East since the 11th century. For a long time, Turkmens were divided into clans and tribes. The ancient ancestor of the people was Oguz Khan, whose grandchildren became the ancestors of 24 ancient Turkmen tribes, within which separate clans later began to stand out and new tribes began to form. The largest of them:

1. gauquelins
2. salyrs
3. Tekinians (Teke)
4. tongues
5. chowdurs
6. yomuds
7. alili
8. ersars

Today, all Turkmen are formed into a single nation, where tribal affiliation is not particularly important. There are about 8 million representatives of this nationality in the world.

Where live

The bulk of the people live in Turkmenistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Turkmens live in Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Pakistan. IN Russian Federation live in the Stavropol Territory, Moscow, Moscow, Astrakhan, Samara regions, St. Petersburg, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Krasnodar Territory, Tajikistan. A small part lives in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Latvia.

Language

Turkmen belongs to the Oguz-Turkmen group of languages ​​and is part of the Turkic family. Since 1940 in the Turkmen SSR in many areas public life Russian began to be actively used, which became not only the official language, but also the language of science, higher education. From birth, most learned this language as a second mother tongue. It got to the point that by 1991 in Turkmenistan, a large number of indigenous people simply did not know their native language- Turkmen.

Previously, Arabic script was used for writing, but some letters could not correctly reflect the phonetics of Turkmen. In 1922-1924, after reforms, to distinguish most sounds, diacritics were added, which were placed before and after vowels.

In the 1920s, after the romanization project, the transition to Yanalif, a new Turkic alphabet, began. Officially, in 1929, the Turkmens switched to the Latin alphabet. Yanalif continued to be used in literature, schools, and government documents until 1940.

The Cyrillization project began in the late 1930s. In 1940, the first Turkmen alphabet in Cyrillic was published, and it was used in Turkmenistan until 1993. Outside the state it is still used today.

After the collapse of the USSR, a new alphabet was created, which was approved in April 1993. Later it underwent changes again and since 2000 it has been the only one acceptable in all official spheres of Turkmenistan.

Religion

Turkmen profess Sunni Islam, but are not strongly religious people.

Food

The main dish of Turkmen cuisine is “ash” pilaf, for which there are several dozen recipes, but the main ingredients are rice and meat (poultry, lamb). Be sure to add vegetables, spices, and dried fruits to the pilaf.

A variety of dishes are prepared from lamb:

• different kinds shish kebab;
• fried lamb “govurma”;
• dried meat “kokmach”;
• omelette with Heygenek meat;
• manti "Börek";
• fried lamb with tomatoes and potatoes “chekdirme”;
• lamb with tomatoes “govurlan-et”;
• “Garyn” sausages;
• round-shaped pies with meat and onions “ishlekli”.

A variety of soups are prepared as first courses:

• soup with tomatoes “gara-chorba”;
• rice soup with vegetables “Mastava”;
• milk soup with noodles “Suitli-unash”;
• pea soup “Dograma”;
• pea soup with lamb “nokhudly-chorba”;
• flour soup “umpach zashi”;
• soup with dumplings “etli-borek-chorbasy”.

The main difference between Turkmen cuisine and other Central Asian cuisines is national fish dishes. The fish is cooked on a spit, in special cauldrons, with rice, pomegranate juice, raisins, sesame seeds, and apricots. Very tasty kebab is made from sturgeon “balyk-shara”. The fish is fried, then stewed in pots, and sometimes added to various dishes instead of meat. There are very complex fish dishes that consist of a large number of ingredients: “cheme”, “balyk-berek”, “gaplama”.

Dairy products and milk are widely used in the kitchen. Camel milk, which is considered very healthy and has a sweet taste, is used to make butter, ghee, yogurt, and ayran. Cheeses, curd mass, and feta cheese are prepared from sheep; cottage cheese, curdled milk, “gurt” cheese, and butter are made from cow’s milk. The Turkmens have great amount dairy products.

For sweets, they prepare halva from the root of the lily plant, sweet cakes, crumpets with powdered sugar, and donuts. Very tasty and aromatic local Turkmen watermelons, melons, and fruits. Tea is their favorite drink. In the East they prefer green, in the North and West - black. In winter, tea is often brewed with milk, adding lamb fat and butter. Very popular mineral water Berzengi, various fruit juices. Turkmenistan also has its own wine; among strong drinks they drink vodka and cognac.

Appearance

Cloth

Despite the fact that many peoples switched to urban clothing, the Turkmens remained faithful to their traditional costume. Men and women wear a shirt, pants, and a long robe made of canvas. The wealthy sew it from imported half-silk, half-woolen materials with thin stripes. In summer, women wear only a shirt and long pants, narrow at the ankles. They wear dresses made of silk, the head is covered with a scarf or headscarf, a round hood that goes down behind a veil, and a high Asian headdress (shekele). Common types of jewelry include ankle and arm bracelets, necklaces, and corals. Many women do not take them off at all, even at night. Silver cases for talismans are especially valuable. Men wear fur hat(telpek), entwined with a turban.

Housing

The traditional home of the Turkmens is the yurt gara-oy. In the oases there were adobe dwellings of a permanent type; they consisted of 1-3 rooms. There were houses (there) made of mud brick, with a flat roof. The Caspian Turkmens built houses made of wood on stilts. Today, the usual rural dwelling of a Turkmen is a 3-4 chamber house with large windows, made of baked or adobe brick, a gable or hipped roof, made of slate or iron. The house has an ivan - a covered veranda where people sleep and relax in the summer. At the back of the yard there are utility rooms. Yurts are used as a summer home on the estate; they are built by shepherds on distant seasonal pastures.

Life

The traditional occupation of the people is nomadic cattle breeding and irrigated agriculture. Previously, the Turkmens led a semi-nomadic lifestyle, so in the village the population was divided into settled farmers and cattle breeders. In the west, cattle breeding was developed; camels, sheep, and horses were bred. Those living in the oasis grew wheat, cotton, melons, sorghum, and raised large cattle. In the mid-19th century, the Turkmens began to actively engage in sericulture and carpet weaving. The woman had many responsibilities around the house and household: caring for children, processing wool, felt, weaving, cooking, collecting firewood for heating, caring for livestock.

Today, a small family is common, which usually consists of a wife, husband and children. Sometimes the spouse's parents live with them. Large undivided families are still often found. It is noteworthy that the head of the family is often a woman.

Culture

Turkmen music began to develop in the 6th and 7th centuries and is distinguished by its originality and richness. The people have about 72 musical instruments, the most popular of which are:

• dutar
• Oscar
• gopuz
• gijak
• tuyduk
• barbat (ud)
• ikidilli
• eve
• dilly tuyduk
• bozuk

The development of music was influenced by the folklore of the countries of the Near, Middle East, and Central Asia. Genres of folk songs:

• household
• lullabies
• wedding
• girlish
• labor

The national epic “destan” is popular - tales of a musical and poetic nature:

• legends
• legends
• fairy tales

Singing is carried out in an original manner. The singers sing, strongly straining their vocal cords, in a very high voice, which abruptly gives way to the quiet sound of the dutar. Due to the nomadic living conditions in the desert and steppe landscape, the Turkmens are accustomed to speaking loudly, which is where this style of singing originated.

Traditions

Before the wedding, the groom gives money to the bride's relatives in exchange for the bride; he must bring gifts: robes, livestock, treats. After the ransom is provided, the bride goes to the groom's house, where a special prayer is held and the marriage is formalized. The wedding is celebrated with a feast, horse races and wrestling are held, and professional “bakhshiev” singers are invited.

Among the Turkmen people, adultery against a woman is punishable by death right at the scene of the crime. A daughter may be sold into slavery to a man to whom her father owes a debt. If a girl from a poor family did not even have a dowry, anyone could marry her. At the same time, she could not count on the support of her family and relatives.

Polygamy was common. The position of women, especially in large families, still remains difficult. It's not easy for a girl after marriage. She has many responsibilities, but absolutely no rights. Immediately after the wedding, she is told about the rules in the house, prohibitions in relation to her husband’s older relatives. Previously, she was required to cover her mouth with the end of a head scarf. Young married women They hid their face and figure with a large shawl. Among the Yomuds, it was customary for the daughter-in-law to lock herself at home in the presence of her husband’s older relatives, especially her fathers-in-law. It was possible to talk in their presence only in a very quiet whisper. It was strictly forbidden to contact men who were relatives of the husband directly. If she wanted to tell them something, she had to convey it through the boy. Gradually, with age, the position of a young woman improves when she becomes the eldest “keyvan” in the family. She is considered mistress over her daughters-in-law and her husband's younger wives. The Keivans take their opinions into account and listen to her advice, not only children, but also all relatives. After her husband's death, she becomes the head of the family.

Sons, despite their independence, always come to their mother for advice and listen to her instructions. This is considered extremely important.

In a small family, only the husband is in charge over the wife. If he wishes, he can divorce her without her consent. The wife has the right to demand a divorce only in rare cases. Previously, if a husband disappeared, was captured, went on the run, went into hiding because of blood feud, his wife did not have the right to marry again, she had to wait for him at home. It was impossible to go far from home. If she needed to go to the market, only accompanied by her husband; if she went far away to visit her relatives, she was accompanied by her husband’s elderly relative.

After the death of a spouse, relatives often give their wife in marriage to another man, while the children remain in the husband's house. Levirate is allowed - marriage with the husband's brother. Often the widow agreed to it in order to stay close to her children. She could pay her way out of remarriage, but then she would be assigned the status of a widow for life.

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