Independent and Permanent Neutral Turkmenistan’s Candidacy to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the period 2026–2030

The Balkan region is a treasure trove of musical folklore genres. The rite of the song-and-dance ritual Kushtdepdi carries powerful energy and a connection to the traditions of the ancestors. This ancient rite traces its roots to zikr – a ceremonial act that was common among many peoples of Central Asia and the Caucasus. In modern Turkmenistan, this genre has Kushtdepdi rite of singing and dancing, symbolizing joy and the prosperity of the people.

The nomination presented by Turkmenistan, titled «Kushtdepdi rite of singing and dancing» was included in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Balkan region is rich in folk art genres such as Lyale, Gazal and Huvdi, which preserve the beauty and charm of folk music and poetry. The well-developed hunting tradition has influenced the variety of bird and fish dishes, the most famous of which is the fish plov “dusheme”.

The Balkan region is renowned for its traditions of carpet weaving, the ancient art of palas weaving, felt-making and embroidery. These crafts have distinctive features that set them apart from other regions.

Carpets of the Yomud group, created in the Balkan region, are widely known for their unique characteristics. Among the popular patterns (gols) are Gabsa gol, Ashyk gol, Dyrnak gol, Yarany gol, Bossany gol, Myaki gol and Japarbai gol. These carpets are distinguished by their dense and high-quality weaving. Their patterns reflect the beauty of the coastal nature, the movement of the sea waves, the silhouettes of ships, and even images of insects living in the water. The Gabsa gol pattern deserves special attention, as it holds second place on the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

The Dashoguz region is the center of epic storytelling. The musical-poetic creations of this tradition are performed by Turkmen bakhshi-destanchi (epic storytellers), who are descendants of the ancient Ozans. These narratives, filled with centuries-old wisdom and the energy of the performer, convey the history of the people, their myths and spiritual values, linking the distant past with the present.

Epic art in Turkmenistan represents a vibrant branch of intangible cultural heritage. The tradition of singing epics and destans remains widely popular today and is beloved by listeners. The most prominent schools of epic art are the Dashoguz and Mary schools. The repertoire of the bakhshi-dastanchi primarily features chapters from the epic Gorogly, as well as numerous destans such as «Shasenem and Garip», «Nedjep oglan», «Yusup and Ahmed» and others.

In 2015, Turkmenistan’s first nomination, «Epic art of Gorogly» was included on the List of Outstanding Examples of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The craftswomen of Dashoguz are renowned for their carpet weaving, creating large (felted blankets), don (cotton outerwear) and national clothing. Carpets produced in the Dashoguz region stand out for their beauty and attract attention.

One of the characteristic ornamental patterns of Dashoguz is the Ortmen Gol, also known as the Chovdur Gol, created by the craftswomen of the dominant tribe in this region, the Chovdur. While the patterns on most Turkmen carpets are arranged horizontally, the Chovdur Gol features patterns in the form of vertically aligned diamonds. This gol is positioned fourth on the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

Lebap is an eastern region of Turkmenistan, known for its customs and rituals, as well as the diversity of traditional cuisine. Lebap cuisine is famous for national dishes such as tamdyrlama (oven-baked lamb in a tamdyr) and pumpkin flatbreads. Many traditions and folk-art forms are still honored and preserved to this day.

A distinctive feature of the region is the celebration of Nowruz. The celebration of Nowruz merges ritual actions, ceremonies, national cuisine and well-wishes. This truly kind and joyful holiday resonates in the hearts of people, creating an atmosphere of unity and harmony.

Nowruz was first included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, with the participation of 9 countries. On March 21, 2010, it was recognized as the International day of Nowruz. In the following years, the nomination was updated multiple times. In 2016, the number of participating countries celebrating Nowruz increased to 12, including Turkmenistan. In 2024, Mongolia joined the list, bringing the total to 13 countries. Thus, the phenomenon of the spring equinox is associated with the arrival of the new year for many peoples.

Lebap region is renowned for its carpet weaving traditions. Carpets from the Beshir group are distinguished by a variety of patterns, vibrant colors, and unique shades. Their designs feature motifs of plants, animals, and aquatic creatures, such as Beshir Yaprak, Yilan Beshir and Kerkı gol, the latter becoming the fifth pattern on the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

Mary region is famous for the art of tuyduk performance. The gargy reed, which grows abundantly in this region, has influenced the spread of the tradition of playing wind musical instruments. The melodies produced by the gargy tuyduk harmonize wonderfully with the local nature, creating an atmosphere of prosperity and vast open spaces of the steppe. The art of yanama – performances of folk songs accompanied by the tuyduk – is also highly developed in Mary region.

An important aspect of the musical traditions of the Mary region is epic art. This tradition is closely associated with the name of Gurd Yakubov, the founder of the destan performance school. His unique singing style is continued today by numerous students and his son, the distinguished bakhshi of Turkmenistan, Charyyarguly Yakubov.

«Yuzukden geçme» (passing through the ring) refers to exquisite and delicate fabrics produced in the Mary region. Since ancient times, Turkmenistan has been producing various types of linen and silk fabrics, which were traded along the Great Silk Road and reached global markets.

The multinational nomination «Sericulture and traditional production of silk for weaving» prepared by Turkmenistan in collaboration with Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, was included in the UNESCO Representative List in 2022.

The carpets belonging to the Mary region are known by the names «Gushly gol», «Pendi gol» and «Chakmak gol». The «Pendi gol» carpet resembles the Penji plain. According to the stories of ancestors, «Pendi gol» is one of the oldest carpet patterns. On the surface of this pattern, one can see images of a white yurt, a hearth, and a family sitting around the fire. «Pendi gol» is the third pattern on the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

Turkmen carpets are a true reflection of the desire for beauty. They amaze with elegance, durability, harmony of colors, and the deep meaning of the patterns. At the same time, each region adds something special to its patterns, creating an endless variety of shapes, colors, and ornaments.

As Turkmen say, each of our carpet patterns is like a story, where the joys, sorrows and dreams of our ancestors are hidden. It is precisely because of the significance of the carpet-making craft in the history of the people, as well as the deep respect for the skills of the carpet weavers, that the Nomination «Traditional Turkmen carpet making art in Turkmenistan» was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2021.

Needlework is an inseparable attribute of the Turkmen national costume. In Turkmenistan, this element adorns children's, women's, and even men's clothing. The art of needlework requires special skill, patience, and taste. Every stitch carries a story and symbolism, creating elegant patterns that reflect the features of the local culture. The tradition of mastering embroidery techniques, passed down from mothers to daughters, continues to this day. Young Turkmen girls and women are learning the ancient tradition, using national embroidery on items of children's, women's, and men's attire, as well as a decorative element in the decoration of homes, bags, and household items.

The Nomination «Turkmen-style needlework art» was included in the UNESCO list jointly with the Islamic Republic of Iran on December 2022.

Our people are witty and skillful masters of jokes and humor. Short sayings connected with figures such as Mametveli Kemine and Hodja Nasreddin Efendi have been passed down through generations and remain popular to this day. These witty phrases are highly impactful as they criticize the negative aspects of human nature through humor. Hodja Nasreddin is widely known across our country under the name Efendi. During celebrations and festivities, if someone entertains those around them with jokes, they are often compared to Efendi. In the period of the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State, the international recognition of Molla Efendi and his short, educationally significant sayings has grown substantially. In 2022, the “Telling traditional of Nasreddin Hodja” was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Promotion of Traditions

The Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan is actively involved in promoting culture by organizing competitions, exhibitions, conferences, training sessions, workshops and international projects. Culture houses in the regions and districts of Turkmenistan become meeting places for masters who share their knowledge and experience with novice artisans, passing down the ancient secrets of the craft. Within the framework of these initiatives, specialists from different countries visit Turkmenistan to share their skills. At the same time, Turkmen masters travel abroad to present Turkmen art at various festivals, forums, and exhibitions, contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and international ties in the field of intangible cultural heritage.

Events and Competitions

Since the establishment of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Turkmenistan, many vibrant events have been organized, such as folk artisans’ competitions, festivals for bakhshi and sazanda, folk ensemble performances, exhibitions of traditional clothing and jewelry, and more. At these events, folk performers and artisans showcase their skills and talents, introducing the audience to national traditions and styles. Art festivals play a significant role in preserving and popularizing traditions, not only within our country but also far beyond its borders. Moreover, they involve the younger generation in studying and preserving the ancient culture.

The main task of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage has been to study, preserve and promote the rich traditions of the Turkmen people.

The department’s staff is engaged in:

• identifying elements of intangible cultural heritage;

• studying and documenting ancient customs and skills;

• working with bearers of traditions – individuals who continue to preserve and pass down the ancient heritage;

• promoting the traditional culture of Turkmenistan on the international arena.

• organization of important and systematic work aimed at preserving national traditions.

The Staff of the Department, in collaboration with scholars from the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, regularly conduct musical and ethnographic expeditions for collecting information from all regions of Turkmenistan. During these expeditions, researchers meet with local residents, recording songs, legends, rituals and other elements of intangible heritage. The results of these trips are later published in scientific and popular articles and monographs. Additionally, the materials from the expeditions are not only preserved in archives but are also used for writing books, creating films and developing educational materials, all of which help to better understand and appreciate the culture of Turkmen people.

Support for Folk Artisans and Craftsmen

Under the wise leadership of the Esteemed President of Turkmenistan all the necessary conditions for folk artisans to produce high-quality items and further develop the traditional crafts has created in Turkmenistan. An important part of this process is the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan adopted in 2017 «On the Improvement of Folk Art of Turkmenistan», which aims to support artisans and encourage them to engage in more creative work. This is a clear example of state support for their efforts. As is well known, the most distinguished artisans are annually awarded the honorary title of «People's Master». For example, in December 2024, jewelers from all regions of Turkmenistan were honored with this title.

Books and Publications

The publication of books, booklets, and collections dedicated to the intangible cultural heritage of Turkmenistan, with texts that highlight national holidays, crafts, customs, and ritual songs, is one of the main areas of work for the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage. These publications, aimed at a wide audience, help preserve traditions and pass them from older generations to younger ones. The goals of these publications are:

• to showcase the beauty and diversity of Turkmen culture;

• to preserve ancient knowledge and customs;

• to engage youth in learning about traditions.

The results of the scientific work of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage include books, scientific articles, monographs and methodological guides, which are fascinating studies on the traditions and customs of Turkmen people, each of which reveals a particular aspect of cultural heritage.

Epic art, as an important aspect of Turkmen spiritual heritage, has a long history, with a special place held by the outstanding bakhshi-destanchi (epic performers). The monograph «Styles of performance of Turkmen Epic Art», published in 2017, unveils the rich world of Turkmen epic art, providing detailed descriptions of the performance methods characteristic of each region. The book addresses the important theme of mentorship – khalypa-shagirt yoly – which fosters the transmission of traditions and knowledge from one generation to the next.

The preservation and popularization of national craft art in Turkmenistan were supported by the publication of the book «Turkmen-style needlework Art» in 2022. This work combines the experience and wisdom of folk craftsmanship, allowing a deeper understanding of the art of embroidery, its methods and traditions. The book covers many aspects of this ancient craft – from the tools used by artisans to the ornaments embroidered on garments and household items. Special attention is given to the keshde patterns, which, along with the legends about them, form an integral part of Turkmenistan's cultural heritage.

In 2024, the book «Turkmen Felt Mat» was published, dedicated to the art of felt craftsmanship. This edition unveils the secrets of felt making, reflecting not only the craftsmanship but also the spirit of life of the Turkmen people, their ancient traditions, and way of life. The book, written in three languages, provides a detailed account of various felt products, their significance, and the symbolism of the patterns that play an important role in the spiritual world of the people. The work incorporates materials from scientific research and field expeditions conducted across different regions of the country.

Materials on the intangible cultural heritage of Turkmenistan are regularly published on the pages of newspapers, magazines, electronic editions and websites, as well as in scientific bulletins published by the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.

THE NOMINATIONS OF TURKMENISTAN'S CULTURAL HERITAGE INCLUDED IN THE UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST

2015 Epic art of Gorogly. Windhuk, Namibia.

2016 Novruz bayramy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

2017 Kushtdepdi rite of singing and dancing. Jeju, Korea.

2019 Traditional Turkmen carpet making art in Turkmenistan. Bogota, Columbia.

2021 Dutar making craftsmanship and traditional music performing art combined with singing. Paris, France.

2022 Sericulture and traditional production of silk for weaving. Rabat, Morocco.

2022 Turkmen-style needlework art. Rabat, Morocco.

2022 Telling traditional of Nasreddin Hodja. Rabat, Morocco.

2023 Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration. Kasane, Botswana.