History of Nowruz in Turkmenistan: Ancient Roots
The word Nowruz, meaning “new day” in Persian, has been celebrated for over 2,500 years. Its origins lie in the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE) and Zoroastrian traditions, where it marked the spring equinox (around March 21) and symbolized the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the rebirth of nature.
Carried along the Silk Roads, Nowruz spread into Central Asia, where it blended with local nomadic customs. For the Turkmen, who have long lived in harmony with nature, Nowruz reflected the start of the agricultural year, as noted by scholars like Al-Biruni.
Following independence in 1991, Turkmenistan declared Nowruz an official holiday under the name National Spring Holiday. In 2010, the United Nations recognized March 21 as International Nowruz Day, underscoring its global importance. In Turkmenistan, the festival continues to emphasize values of friendship, respect for nature, and cultural continuity.
Features of Nowruz in Turkmenistan
Turkmen celebrations of Nowruz highlight pastoral life, renewal, and togetherness through food, music, dance, and games.
• Food: The centerpiece is semeni (sweet pudding made from sprouted wheat), symbolizing fertility and growth. It is prepared collectively and shared alongside traditional bread (chorek), plov (rice with meat and vegetables), and sweets.
• Dance & Music: The kushtdepdi dance, marked by energetic group movements, is performed to the sound of the dutar (two-stringed lute) and gaval (drum). These performances, both folk and professional, capture the spirit of joy and renewal.
• Games & Rituals: Traditional sports such as wrestling (göresh), horse racing, and archery are central to the festivities. Swing games, believed to cleanse the spirit and grant energy for the new year, remain especially popular with youth.
• Crafts & Exhibitions: Handicraft fairs, carpet weaving displays, and agricultural exhibitions highlight Turkmenistan’s deep ties to tradition and nature.
Visitors are often struck by the vibrant decorations—parks filled with spring flowers, white yurts adorned with carpets, and people dressed in traditional embroidered costumes—turning the entire celebration into a living museum of Turkmen culture.
Celebration of Nowruz
Nowruz is an official public holiday in Turkmenistan, celebrated March 21–23. The capital, Ashgabat, becomes the heart of festivities, with white yurts set up in city parks or along the Karakum River embankment. Programs include concerts, group dances, art exhibitions, and handicraft workshops.
The President of Turkmenistan traditionally issues a message of congratulations, emphasizing peace, friendship, and unity. In 2023, Ashgabat hosted a major Nowruz festival featuring artists from across ECO countries, under the theme “Turkmenistan – Land of Peace, Friendship, and Brotherhood.”
Festivities also spread across regional centers, where book fairs, agricultural showcases, and cultural performances bring together communities.
In addition, tree-planting ceremonies and spring agricultural fairs are often organized during Nowruz, underlining the festival’s role as a celebration of renewal and harmony with nature.
Connection to ECO’s Regional Culture
Nowruz is celebrated across ECO member states, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. With shared traditions such as food, music, and seasonal games, it serves as a unifying cultural event for the region.
Turkmenistan actively participates in UNESCO and ECO-led Nowruz events, from handicraft exhibitions to cultural forums. At UNESCO headquarters in 2018 and 2022, Turkmen representatives showcased traditional dance, crafts, and music, reinforcing Nowruz as a symbol of peace and shared heritage along the Silk Roads.
What makes Turkmenistan’s Nowruz distinct within the ECO region is the prominence of the kushtdepdi dance and the ritual swing games, which are less common in neighboring countries’ celebrations. These unique features highlight the local character of Turkmen traditions while preserving the shared spirit of Nowruz.
Preservation and Future of Nowruz
Turkmenistan remains committed to safeguarding Nowruz traditions through cultural programs, education, and international cooperation. The National Museum of Turkmenistan features exhibits dedicated to Nowruz rituals, while schools and cultural centers pass down traditions like the kushtdepdi dance to younger generations. UNESCO partnerships further support the preservation of crafts such as carpet weaving and other intangible heritage.
Experiencing Nowruz in Turkmenistan
For visitors, attending Nowruz celebrations in Ashgabat offers a rare opportunity to immerse in Turkmen culture. From tasting semeni to watching wrestling matches or kushtdepdi performances, the festivities provide a vibrant and authentic experience. ECO audiences can also enjoy joint Nowruz events across the region, while Turkmenistan’s cultural tourism initiatives encourage visitors to explore the festival in person.
Foreign guests are often welcomed to guided programs that include handicraft fairs, traditional concerts, and tours of Ashgabat’s cultural landmarks, making Nowruz an ideal time for cultural tourism in Turkmenistan.