For centuries the Turkmen lived as nomadic herdsmen. Their society was characterized by a distinct economic division between the cattlemen and farmers. However, the past seventy years of Soviet rule has virtually eliminated their nomadic lifestyle. The socialization of farmland has changed their traditional settlement patterns, and movement into the cities has naturally weakened their customs and traditions.

What are their lives like?
Today, mainly due to the domination by the Russians, many Turkmen live settled lives, working on the various collective farms or in associated industries. The men usually operate the farm equipment, while the women and children are responsible for harvesting cotton. Much of their work is still done by hand.

Turkmen are especially known for their brisk trade in the bazaars, where many samples of their handicrafts can be found. Some of these include metal and wooden household utensils, tools, and furniture. Many have also supplemented their income by producing carpets.

The Turkmen society is definitely male-dominated. Women are restricted and often treated as second-class citizens. They are slow to speak and reserved while in the presence of men. Arranged marriages are still very common and families often inter-marry to preserve wealth. Ordinarily, a man does not separate from his father's household until he is between the ages of 30 and 40. By this time, he has been married for 10 to 20 years and has children old enough to be economically productive. Once a man has established a household of his own, he arranges the marriages of his own daughters according to their birth order.

Men usually wear baggy trousers, coarse shirts, boots, and shaggy wool hats. Women love wearing jewelry, especially anklets and bracelets. They cover their heads in fine cotton cloths (like turbans) that are also adorned with jewelry.

The Turkmen are generally tall and thin. They are physically strong and easily able to endure the harshness of the environment. Although Turkmen are characterized by their hospitality, trustworthiness, and sincerity, they are also known as being hot-headed and revengeful.

The Turkmen love to play "Buzjashi", a wild polo-like game played by two teams on horseback. The game, which uses the headless carcass of a goat or calf as the "ball", can be very violent and go on for two or three days.

What are their beliefs?
Ninety-five percent of the Turkmen in Uzbekistan are Muslims of the Hanafite branch. The Nestorian Christians penetrated Turkestan in the fourth century A.D.; but by the beginning of the fourteenth century, this had been totally replaced by Islam. This transition gradually came to influence the political, civil, and economic lives of the people.

Despite the outward conformity to Islam, mysticism and other past religious traditions are still prevalent.

What are their needs?
There is little awareness of Christianity among the Turkmen of Uzbekistan. They are a people who have no church, and there are no known believers among them. They urgently need to hear the glorious Gospel of Christ!

The two missions agencies targeting them have made very little progress. More laborers and evangelistic tools are desperately needed. With modern technology, there may be some inroads possible through satellite television and radio.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to Uzbekistan and share Christ with the Turkmen.
• Pray that Christian television and radio broadcasts will soon be made available in their language.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agencies that are targeting the Turkmen.
• Pray that God will open doors for Christian businessmen to share Christ with the Turkmen.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Turkmen toward Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will open the hearts of Uzbekistan's governmental leaders to the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up a strong local church among the Turkmen by the year 2000.

See Also:
The Turkmen of Central Asia (Cluster Profile);
The Turkmen of: Afghanistan; Iran; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Turkmen
• Country: Uzbekistan
• Their language: Turkmence
• Population: (1990) 125,300
  (1995) 140,200
  (2000) 155,800
• Largest religion: Muslims (Hanafites) 95%
  Nonreligious 5%
• Christians: None
• Church members: None
• Scriptures in their own language: New Testament
• Jesus Film in their own language: Available
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 2
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 33,600 (24%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 0
  Those evangelized from the outside: 33,600 (24%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 106,600 (76%)

• Country: Uzbekistan
• Population: (1990) 20,420,200
  (1995) 22,843,000
  (2000) 25,383,200
• Major peoples in size order: Northern Uzbek 71.3%
  Russian 8.3%
  Tajik 4.7%
  Kazak 4.0%
  Tatar 2.3%
• Major religions: Muslims 74%
  Nonreligious 12%
  Atheists 9.2%
• Number of denominations: 22