In a culture where the strength of the family has always been important,
weddings and the birth of children hold the highest priority. While society is changing,
the traditional customs and rituals of the matchmaking process and the wedding ceremony are still precisely observed.
Turkmen are renowned for their lavish hospitality, respect for seniors, honesty and sincere generosity.
To this day, a visitor will be offered tea and food before even being allowed to explain why he has come!
Among the most important values for the Turkmen are friendship and love,
always maintaining friendly relations with their neighbors - it is said that "If your neighbor is happy, you will be happy too."
Hospitality is a distinguishing feature of these friendly people and old well respected Türkmen traditions. Türkmen often judge a person by the way he treats his guests. A guest is greeted by phrase "Khosh geldiniz!" and besides that such ritual phrases as: How happy we are to see you! What an honor you have rendered to us!" are a must.
The respectful attitude toward seniors is also based on ancient traditions. It is considered as unacceptable not to help them, to argue with them, to look at them frowningly or to show discontent, to wait for their gratitude for the rendered service or to remind of it. The customs demand honoring parents and seniors. Türkmen saying runs: "Gold and silver do not grow old, the father and mother are priceless".
Türkmen are highly moral people. In the attitude toward life they cultivate hospitality, honoring of seniors, modesty, nobleness, truthfulness, honesty, boldness, sincere generosity. They say "Only a noble person can keep his word". Türkmen have always appreciated sincerity. "Tell the truth even if it is against thee". Duty and obligation are honored, light-mindedness and garrulity are denounced.
Türkmen value friendship and love, maintain friendly relations with neighbors. There is a number of national by-words about this: " Before building a home find out who thy neighbor is", "If your neighbor is happy you will be happy too" and etc.
Weddings are hub for Türkmen traditions and customs where one can learn a lot from numerous customs and ceremonials. One of the leading roles in them was played by clothes. It was thought that they even possess magic properties of protection and purification.
The majority of Türkmen are Muslims.
the country is 89 percent Muslim , 9 percent Eastern Orthodox, and 2 percent other.
The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice.
The government does not require religious groups to register, but unregistered groups are not allowed to own
property or conduct religious services.
The most wide spread religions in Türkmenistan were Zoroastrism, Buddhism, Christianity like in other countries of Central Asia.
Since the Arabian conquest in 7-8th centuries Islam has been the dominant religion.
Since 1991, Islam and minority religions have been allowed to resume, Mosques were reopened.
Large new mosques have been built in major cities, including the Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque in Ashgabat,
constructed by Bouygues of France. Instruction in Islam is authorized in one educational institution,
Türkmen State University, which includes a Department of Theology.
In Türkmenistan, they celebrate a lot of holidays.
From Islamic holidays to national holidays, there is no doubt that everyone loves a day off.
Here are some Holidays and why are they celebrated.
Here in Türkmenistan they celebrate some International holidays aswell, like New years day, Women's day and etc...
1. New years day:
New years day is celebrated on the 1st of January. Türkmen people celebrate it by a big dinner feast with their family members.
On the dinner table you can find some Türkmen delicacies made from hand.
2. Mother's day:
Mother's day is celebrated on the 8th of March. Türkmen people celebrate it by Fathers and sons giving gifts to woman in their family.
1. Independence day:
Independence day is celebrated on the 27th of October.
There are a lot of fireworks and shows to show their independence from Soviet Union in 1991
2. Day of Neutrality:
Day of Neutrality is celebrated on the 12th of December.
It is a United Nations observance that promotes the principles of neutrality in international relations such as peace diplomacy and etc...
3. Memorial day :
Memorial day is celebrated on the 12th of January.
It is a day that honors those who fell on 12 January 1881 defending the Geok Tepe fortress against the Russian troops.
4. Day of Türkmenistan's Revival:
Day of Türkmenistan's Revival is celebrated on the 18th of November.
It is a day that honors the day when the first President of Türkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov.
1. Ramadan:
Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.
It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of Ramadan.
2. Nowruz:
Nowruz is a festival of spring that marks the first day of the new year in Persian calendar.
It is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March
1. Men's clothes:
Men's clothes are usually made of cotton and linen and sometimes have a small traditional pattern on the neck of the shirt.
They are usually made of light colors such as white, blue, and green but implements some other colors such as red yellow and etc.
2. Women's clothes:
Women's clothes are usually made of cotton and linen and have pattern on the dress that is symbolic to Turkmen people.
They are usually made of light colors such as white, blue, and green but they can be in other colors such as red yellow purple and etc.
