The stereotyped image of Turkmenistan is as follows: boundless pastures with frolicking "akhatekins" and their devoted alabais, amazing handmade carpets, bright shimmering silks, elders wearing huge papakhas hiding their eyes. All aforesaid is already the original legacy of Turkmen people, the property they are proud of distinguishing them from other Muslim countries. More about this in the next chapter …
Akhaltekins
A horse for Turkmen has always been a sacred animal. It is difficult to imagine a Turkman without a horse. «The horse is an equitable member of a Turkmen family", - they say. Turkmen have preserved careful and anxious attitude toward horses for millenia. In the 5th century BC "The father of history" Herodotes wrote that the ancestors of the Turkmen had selected a horse as a symbol of the sun because they believed that the fastest star in the sky should match the fastest animal on the earth. Read more...
Carpets
Turkmenistan is known all around the world for its magnificent carpets which are weaved by the hands of Turkmen women. The work of carpet makers can be compared to a a heroic deed. If today's carpet making is a business of professionals, in the past everyone woman in Turkmenistan could weave carpets. Read more...
Alabai
Turkmen dog - alabai is a beautiful and courageous animal. For many centuries it has helped Turkmen shepherds to safeguard flocks of cattle in heavy conditions of sandy desert. This magnificent dog can not be confused with one other breed. Strong, well built alabai is fascinating in its nobleness of movements, confidence and calmness. But anyone who has seen this fighter struggles with a predator will never part with his alabai... Now Turkmen wolfhound has a lot of friends and admirers all over the world. Read more...
Silks
Turkmenistan is the native land of silk homespun fabric called "keteni". Turkmen has been successfully practicing sericulture for many centuries: their homespun fabrics owing to their durability and brightness as was beauty of patterns were really appreciated and demanded. The determining feature of “keteni" is color, which depends on the quality of dyes. In accordance with ancient technologies the fabrics were dyed only by vegetable colors which were distinguished by the brightness of shades, durability and ecological purity. Read more...
Papakha
Despite forty-degree heat Turkmen aksakals (elders) wear big shaggy fur hats which fascinate foreign tourists. However, this unique headdress which was created by Turkmen many centuries ago indeed saves them from intensive heat. Read more...
