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Leading Figures: Top 10 Renowned Turkoman Personalities

Turkoman ethnicity boasts several notable individuals who have made significant contributions to diverse fields. Here’s a list of ten prominent celebrities and notable people from Turkoman origin:

  • Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow: Former President of Turkmenistan, served from 2006 to 2022. He is also a dentist and author.
  • Serdar Berdimuhamedow: Current President of Turkmenistan, son of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. He was previously the Minister of Industry and Construction Production.
  • Saparmurat Niyazov: First President of Turkmenistan, served from 1991 to 2006. He is also known as “Turkmenbashi,” meaning “Leader of the Turkmens.”
  • Ovezmyrat Serdarov: Turkmen weightlifter, Olympic silver medalist in 2016 and 2020. He holds the world record in the snatch lift in the 67 kg category.
  • Polina Gagarina: Russian singer and songwriter, born to a Turkmen father and a Russian mother. She represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 and finished second.
  • Veronika Loginova: Russian tennis player, born to a Turkmen father and a Russian mother. She is the winner of two WTA singles titles and five WTA doubles titles.
  • Rysgul Saparmuratova: Turkmen weightlifter, Olympic bronze medalist in 2016. She is the first Turkmen woman to win an Olympic medal.
  • Yulduz Usmanova: Uzbek singer and songwriter, born to a Turkmen father and an Uzbek mother. She is one of the most popular singers in Central Asia.
  • Anna Ovezova: Turkmen singer and actress. She is known for her traditional Turkmen music and her performances in Turkmen films.
  • Nurmuhammet Hanamov: Turkmen footballer, played for the Turkmenistan national team and several clubs in Turkmenistan, Russia, and Ukraine.
The Aq Qoyunlu or the White Sheep Turkomans (Azerbaijani: Ağqoyunlular آق قویونلولر; Persian: آق‌ قویونلو) was a culturally Persianate, Sunni Turkoman tribal confederation. Founded in the Diyarbakir region by Qara Yuluk Uthman Beg, they ruled parts of present-day eastern Turkey from 1378 to 1503, and in their last decades also ruled Armenia, Azerbaijan, much of Iran, Iraq, and Oman where the ruler of Hormuz recognised Aq Qoyunlu suzerainty. The Aq Qoyunlu empire reached its zenith under Uzun Hasan.

Turkoman Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Turkoman community has a rich and vibrant history that dates back centuries. Known for their nomadic lifestyle and unique cultural practices, the Turkomans have left a lasting legacy in various aspects of their heritage. Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Turkoman heritage:

  • Carpets and Weaving: One of the most famous contributions of the Turkomans is their exquisite carpet weaving skills. Turkoman carpets are renowned worldwide for their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and high-quality craftsmanship. These carpets, often handwoven by Turkoman women, have become sought-after treasures for collectors and art enthusiasts. The distinctive motifs and patterns used in Turkoman carpets reflect the nomadic traditions and cultural heritage of the Turkoman people.
  • Equestrian Expertise: The Turkomans have a long-standing history of horsemanship and equestrian expertise. Horses play an integral role in Turkoman culture, and their breeding and training methods have been passed down through generations. Turkoman horses are known for their endurance, agility, and intelligence, making them ideal companions for nomadic life on the Central Asian steppes. The skill and knowledge of the Turkoman horsemen have, in many cases, shaped the development of cavalry tactics and influenced equestrian practices in the region.
  • Jewelry and Silverwork: The Turkomans have a distinct tradition of jewelry and silverwork that is both ornate and symbolic. Turkoman jewelry is often characterized by its intricate silver designs adorned with precious stones such as carnelian and turquoise. These pieces are not only decorative but also hold cultural and religious significance. Turkoman jewelry is often worn during special occasions and celebrations, serving as a visual representation of identity, status, and cultural pride.
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These three historical inheritances are just a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the Turkoman community. From their carpet weaving skills to their equestrian expertise and jewelry craftsmanship, the Turkomans have made significant contributions that continue to resonate in the present day. Exploring and celebrating these inheritances ensures the preservation of the Turkoman heritage for future generations to appreciate and admire.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Nusairi, Imami and Ismaili roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

Factsheet About Turkoman People

Country Population Percentage of Total Population Major Regions
Turkmenistan 6 million 85% Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary provinces
Afghanistan 1.5 million 5% Jowzjan, Faryab, and Sar-e Pol provinces
Iran 1 million 2% Golestan and North Khorasan provinces
Turkey 500,000 1% Istanbul and Ankara provinces
Azerbaijan 300,000 1% Ganja, Baku, and Shirvan regions
Turkoman, also known as Turcoman (English: ), was a term for the people of Oghuz Turkic origin, widely used during the Middle Ages. Oghuz Turks were a western Turkic people that, in the 8th century A.D, formed a tribal confederation in an area between the Aral and Caspian seas in Central Asia, and spoke the Oghuz branch of the Turkic language family.
Turkmen, originally an exonym, dates from the High Middle Ages, along with the ancient and familiar name "Turk" (türk), and tribal names such as "Bayat", "Bayandur", "Afshar", and "Kayi". By the 10th century, Islamic sources were calling Oghuz Turks as Muslim Turkmens, as opposed to Shamanist or Buddhist Turks. It entered into the usage of the Western world through the Byzantines in the 12th century, since by that time Oghuz Turks were overwhelmingly Muslim. Later, the term "Oghuz" was gradually supplanted by "Turkmen" among Oghuz Turks themselves, thus turning an exonym into an endonym, a process which was completed by the beginning of the 13th century.
In Anatolia, since the Late Middle Ages, "Turkmen" was superseded by the term "Ottoman", which came from the name of the Ottoman Empire and its ruling dynasty. It remains as an endonym of semi-nomadic tribes of the Terekeme, a sub-ethnic group of the Azerbaijani people.
Today, a significant percentage of residents of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan are descendants of Oghuz Turks (Turkmens), and the languages they speak belong to the Oghuz group of the Turkic language family. As of the early 21st century, this ethnonym is still used by the Turkmens of Central Asia, the main population of Turkmenistan, who have sizeable groups in Iran, Afghanistan and Russia, as well as Iraqi and Syrian Turkmens, the other descendants of Oghuz Turks.

References to the Turkoman Ethnic Group

The Turkoman ethnic group refers to a diverse population of Turkic-speaking people who primarily live in the region of Turkmenistan, as well as parts of Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. They are known for their unique cultural traditions, language, and history. To dig deeper into the Turkoman ethnic group, you can explore the following references and resources:

These references and resources will provide you with valuable information to explore the Turkoman ethnic group’s history, culture, traditions, and their current challenges and aspirations. Additionally, they can serve as a starting point for further research and analysis into this fascinating group.

That concludes the information we can provide about famous Turkoman individuals. Thank you for reading.

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