For centuries unknown and unmapped, Turkmenistan was finally incorporated into the Russian empire. [53], There is general consensus, however, that distinctively Turkmen literature originated in 18th century with the poetry of Magtymguly Pyragy, who is considered the father of the Turkmen literature. Among these are "yar-yar" or “dear, dear” songs, that include comical verses: We\\'ve seen our future son-in-law, / He doesn\\'t look worse than our girl, yar-yar and We\\'ll give you a chance to race an ant, / Please try to ride it, yar-yar. Before the construction of the Karakum Canal, only small areas of wheat, barley, and melons could be cultivated because of the scarcity of water. Since the Oguzs, penetrated in large numbers in the boarders of Turkmenistan in the IX - XI centuries, having played an important role in shaping the Turkmen as a nation, determine their language, culture and to a large degree  physical appearance besides many other features. In spite of changes prompted during the Soviet period, the Ahal Teke tribe in southern Turkmenistan has remained very well known for its horses, the Akhal-Teke desert horse – and the horse breeding tradition has returned to its previous prominence in recent years. Turkmenistan is located in the southwest of the Central Asia region. Examples of other Oghuz languages are Turkish, Azerbaijani, Qashqai, Gagauz, Khorasani, and Salar. Their tribal organizations and loyalties were strong, and they often hired themselves out as mercenaries to various rulers in Central Asia and Iran. Kafesoğlu, İbrahim. They brought karakul sheep to Afghanistan and are also renowned makers of carpets, which, with karakul pelts, are major hard currency export commodities. The traditional arts include felt manufacture, jewelry making, woodwork, ceramics, and silverwork, but the two crafts in which Turkmen excel are silk manufacture and carpet making. Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991. Significant in the chemical industry are the Türkmenabat superphosphate plant, mirabilite from the vicinity of the Garabogazköl (Kara-Bogaz-Gol), sulfur from Gaurdak, iodine and bromine factories on the Cheleken Peninsula, and the production of detergents at the Türkmenbashy oil refinery. Islam among the Turkmens has a notable tradition of being tempered and infused with folk practices and traditions. For example, traditional dwelling of the Turkmen, yurt, is still used in many areas as a summer home on the estate or as a dwelling shepherds on remote and seasonal pastures. [53], There is general consensus, however, that distinctively Turkmen literature originated in 18th century with the poetry of Magtymguly Pyragy, who is considered the father of the Turkmen literature. Following the decisive Battle of Geok Tepe in January 1881, the bulk of Turkmen tribes found themselves under the rule of the Russian Emperor, which was formalized in the Akhal Treaty between Russia and Persia. Old branches (cotton ginning, oil pressing, and carpet making) were retained, and new ones (heavy and light industry, such as food processing) emerged. Variations of the Persian alphabet are, however, used in Iran. There is a high degree of mutual intelligibility between these languages. The Turkmen are an ancient Turkic people, currently making up 67% (more than 6 million people) of the Turkmenistan’s population. [38][39][40] To preserve their independence, those tribes that remained in Turkmenistan were united in military alliances, although remnants of tribal relations remained until the 20th century. Türkmens were mentioned near the end of the 10th century A.D in Islamic literature by the Arab geographer al-Muqaddasi in Ahsan Al-Taqasim Fi Ma'rifat Al-Aqalim. They established settlements from Balkh Province to Herat Province, where they are now concentrated; smaller groups settled in Kunduz Province. Safa, Z. Hydroelectric plants include the Hindu Kush plant, as well as plants at Kaushtubent and at the Dashköpri Reservoir on the Morghāb River. When asked to identify themselves, most Central Asians would name their kin group, neighborhood, village, religion or the state in which they lived; the idea that a state should exist to serve an ethnic group was unknown. As such, Turkmen is more closely related to Turkish than it is to either Uzbek or Kazakh. (1880), Barbara Kellner-Heinkele, "Türkmen", The Encyclopaedia of Islam, eds. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Turkmenistan leads Central Asia as a producer of silkworm cocoons, primarily from the middle Amu Darya oasis. Since Turkmenistan's independence in 1991, a cultural revival has taken place with the return of a moderate form of Islam and celebration of Novruz, the Persian New Year marking the onset of spring. Many Turkmen became semi-nomadic, herding sheep and camels during spring, summer, and fall, but planting crops, wintering in oasis camps, and harvesting the crops in the summer and autumn. Safa, Z. X (Leiden: E.J. While football remains the most popular sport, such sports as Turkmen goresh, horseback riding and lately ice hockey are also very popular among Turkmens. Others are more plaintive: Chuval [a type of rug] is spread at home, / My house is left behind, yar-yar, / With various dishes in it, / My share is left behind, yar-yar. The population of Turkmenistan is young. Inhabitants of oases enjoyed more varied diets, with access to pomegranate, fig, and stone fruit orchards; vineyards; and of course melons. I, p. 55. The latter resulted in the abolition of the Council and a significant increase in the size of Parliament in December 2008 and also permits the formation of multiple political parties. London, Royal Academy of Arts, 2005, pp. Visit a local family and watch as they weave centuries of beauty. Except in the oases and mountain valleys and plateaus, the vegetation is of a pronounced desert character. '"[26] A folk etymology, dating back to the Middle Ages and found in al-Biruni and Mahmud al-Kashgari, instead derives the suffix -men from the Persian suffix -mānind, with the resulting word meaning "like a Turk". The villagers will have prepared a carpet-covered platform for him and there, by firelight, up to 2,000 people will gather to listen as the bakhshi sings, starting before sunset and ending long after sunrise the next morning. To implement a new sports policy, new multi-purpose stadiums, physical education and health complexes, sports schools and facilities were built in all regions of the country.