Turkmen Music and Dance

Turkmen music and dance are vibrant expressions of local culture and are integral to national celebrations. The deep-rooted traditions of these art forms are reflected in archaeological discoveries, including household artifacts adorned with images of musicians, and in ancient folklore that preserves tales of skilled songwriters and performers.

Turkmen Dances

The folk dances of Turkmenistan are spectacular exhibitions of cultural artistry, each movement meticulously executed to convey profound meanings. These dances embody centuries of tradition and continue to showcase the distinctiveness of Turkmen tribal culture.

One of the most renowned and ancient Turkmen dances is kushtdepdi, whose origins are traced back to ancient times. Evidence of this dance can be found in frescoes at Old Nisa, which depict dancers performing movements similar to those of kushtdepdi. The dance begins with the graceful, flowing movements of a girl and a boy surrounded by other dancers clapping their hands in rhythm. During the performance, the dancers recite quatrains known as gazala, punctuated by enthusiastic shouts such as «uh-hu,» «hey-ha,» and «kusht-kusht.» The central dancers set the rhythm, which is then mirrored by those around them. The dance traditionally concludes with a loud cry of «huv-hak,» after which the performers pause and bring their hands to their faces. Kushtdepdi is typically performed in traditional costumes featuring rich hues of crimson and burgundy.

Historically associated with the Yomut tribes of the Caspian Sea coast, kushtdepdi was primarily performed within this region until the late 20th century, when it gained national prominence. Today, it is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and is featured prominently at cultural festivals in Ashgabat and other locations.

Turkmen National Instruments

The musical landscape of Turkmenistan is enriched by a diverse array of traditional instruments and polyphonic melodies. Initially, these instruments were used mainly for ritualistic purposes, but over time, non-ritual instruments were developed as well. Ritual instruments include the dem (tambourine), gopuz (Jew’s harp), and various bells such as the shaldyrak, duvme, and jang. Non-ritual instruments encompass the dilli tuyduk (shepherd’s horn), gargi tuyduk (flute), dutar (stringed, plucked instrument), and gidjak (stringed, bowed instrument).

Prominent instruments that are emblematic of Turkmen culture today include:

• Dutar: A stringed instrument whose name combines two Persian words: du (two) and tar (string), indicating its dual strings.
• Oscar: Turkmenistan’s oldest known musical instrument, dating back to the 3rd century CE. This ceramic wind instrument, resembling a flute, has historical significance and was widely adopted in Turkmenistan as well as in India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan.
• Gopuz: A unique stringed, plucked instrument that is held between the musician’s lips, with the sound being manipulated by the tongue to produce a distinctive tone.
• Gidjak: Often referred to as the “oriental violin,” this stringed instrument is played with a bow, differentiating it from the dutar.
• Tuyduk: A wind instrument believed to have been used by the angel Gabriel to breathe life into Adam. Alternatively, some folklore suggests that the devil played a role in its creation. This belief is reflected in ancient shamanistic rituals still practiced in Turkmenistan. During such rituals, two musicians play their tuyduk in synchrony while performing intricate circular movements to welcome guests at festive occasions.