Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Capet Culture

Turkmenistan is infested with the Turkoman tribe which descended from the Oghuz tribe for almost two thousand years ago. Out of this tribe, the major weaving sub-tribes are Salor, Saryk, Tekke, Yomut, Arabachi, Chodor & Ersari. While the rest of them live in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan & the of Khorassan province, i.e. in the northeastern Iran.

Carpet & Culture
Turkoman tribes mostly make use of a unique octagonal pattern which is known as gul, a Persian name for flower. As per contradicting views on the origin of the Turkoman gul, most believe its originated from an ancient Turkish word meaning family or tribe which differed as per the varied tribes. Having a symbolic meaning, gul was prominently used on the important floor covering as well on women's jewelry. And as per the tradition, any conqueror who would defeat a tribe would take ownership of that tribe's gul which it would use in its less significant weaving such as bags and other small items.

Both sexes were assigned with different roles to play in the tribe development. The women looked after child rearing, flock caring & weaving which usually consisted of storage bags, floor coverings, saddle covers, ensis (rugs used to cover the tent entrances), prayer rugs etc. vital for a nomadic or semi-nomadic life. All these items would even figure as dowry items which were woven by the bride & her family, thus, proving the bride's ability & expertise.

While men, on the other hand, would ensure the safety of their tribe against other Turkoman tribes. They represented strength & were aggressive fighters who would subjugate other tribes. The conquering tribe would often abduct the females of the defeated tribe since the women folk were a valuable source of income simply because of their weaving ability.

A tribe's power was recognized through its immense acquisition of horses, herd of animals including sheep, camels & goats for their milk, meat, wool & goat hair used frequently as weaving raw materials.

Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan tribes' domestic weaving became quite commercialized by late 19th century with the rising control of Russians, & thus, the early nomadic Turkoman traditions failed to survive the constant battles between the tribes & the growing central government power. Many Turkoman nomads in Turkmenistan were forced to settle & change their nomadic lifestyle after the Soviet Union's formation by 1920s. 

Tags:- Turkmenistan Carpet Culture, Uzbekistan Carpet Culture

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