Touring Turkmenistan - recent history, language, customs, culture, food, and sights

Turkmenistan, a seldom-visited gem in Central Asia, offers a unique and captivating experience for the intrepid traveller.

Nestled between the Caspian Sea and the vast Karakum Desert, it remains one of the world’s most enigmatic countries.

Historically, Turkmenistan’s story over the last 80 years is intertwined with Soviet influence.

Once part of the Russian Empire, it became a Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924.

The Soviet era brought infrastructural development but also enforced Russification policies.

Turkmenistan declared independence in 1991 after the USSR's dissolution.

The early years saw authoritarian rule with heavy state control under Saparmurat Niyazov, famously known as Turkmenbashi, who left a profound imprint on the nation's identity through grandiose architecture and personality cult.

Since then, the country has slowly opened up but remains tightly controlled, preserving a distinct cultural and political landscape.

The predominant language is Turkmen, a Turkic language written in Latin script since 1991, replacing Cyrillic.

Russian is also widely spoken, especially among older generations and in urban areas.

The customs of Turkmenistan are a blend of nomadic traditions and Islamic influence.

Hospitality is central; visitors often experience the famed Turkmen generosity, being welcomed with traditional tea ceremonies and sumptuous meals.

Turkmen culture highly values carpet weaving, with each tribe's patterns and colours telling distinct stories—an art form recognised globally.

Traditional music, featuring instruments like the dutar (a two-stringed lute), resonates in festivities and everyday life.

Social rituals often involve family gatherings and celebrations tied to the lunar calendar.

Cuisine is hearty and reflective of a pastoral lifestyle.

Staple dishes include plov (a saffron rice dish often served with lamb and vegetables), shashlik (grilled meat skewers), and manty (steamed dumplings).

Bread, especially the spherical chak-chak, holds symbolic importance and is treated with reverence.

Meals are often shared communally, reinforcing social bonds.

Visitors to Turkmenistan encounter a blend of Soviet-era modernist architecture in Ashgabat, including white marble monuments, alongside ancient Silk Road sites and vast, untouched natural beauty.

The experience is marked by a strong sense of timelessness amid rapid change, revealing a country proud of its heritage yet cautiously stepping into the future.

Traveling here offers a rare glimpse into a culture and history largely hidden from global tourism.