History and Roots
The bagshy tradition is rooted in Turkmen nomadic life, with its origins tracing back to the 6th and 7th centuries CE, when Turkmen music took its early forms [Journal of Central Asian Studies, 2024]. Bagshys, as guardians of oral history, transmitted epic stories through destans (poetic narratives). The most famous destan, “Gorogly,” tells of a hero resisting oppression and is known as “Koroghlu” in Iran, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Anatolia [Encyclopaedia Iranica, 2023]. Archaeological findings at Gonur-Depe (Margiana Civilization, circa 2200 BCE) reveal early musical instruments, tentatively linked to the region’s musical traditions [Sarianidi, V., 2023].
Features of Bagshy Music
Dutar
The dutar, the primary instrument of bagshys, is a two-stringed lute made from mulberry wood with silk or nylon strings, producing a resonant sound. Each bagshy tunes their dutar to their voice, creating a unique style. The dutar’s simplicity and portability suit nomadic life [Turkmenistan State News Agency, 2025].
Epic Destans
Destans are lengthy narratives blending history, myth, and moral lessons. “Gorogly” is the most renowned, but tales like “Shah-Senem and Garib” and “Zohre and Tahir” are also popular, reflecting themes of bravery, love, and tribal loyalty [Journal of Central Asian Studies, 2024].
Performance Style
Bagshy performances combine singing, storytelling, and instrumental play. Through tone shifts, dramatic gestures, and improvisation, bagshys captivate audiences, ensuring no two performances are identical [Turkmen Portal, 2024].
Role of Bagshys in Turkmen Culture
• Social: Performances at Nowruz (March 21–23), weddings, and Turkmen Horse Day (last Sunday in April) strengthen tribal bonds.
• Educational: Destans impart moral teachings, ethnic pride, and respect for elders to younger generations.
• Identity: Bagshys preserve Turkmen identity against modern changes by safeguarding tribal narratives [Turkmenistan State News Agency, 2025].
ECO Region Connections
Bagshy music shares deep ties with musical traditions in ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) countries. “Gorogly” aligns with “Koroghlu” in Iran and Azerbaijan, and the dutar resembles the Iranian tar and setar. Bagshys can be compared to Azerbaijani ashiks and Iranian narrators [Times of Central Asia, 2024; 2025]. The e-Visa system introduced in April 2025 has facilitated tourist access to these events [Times of Central Asia, 2025].
Contemporary Challenges
• Urbanization: Post-independence migration to cities since 1991 has reduced the number of active bagshys.
• Globalization: Modern music and digital media divert youth attention from traditional performances.
• Education: Lack of formal training hinders skill transmission to new generations.
• Environmental Concerns: Using mulberry wood for dutars raises deforestation concerns [UNESCO, 2023].
Workshops in Ashgabat and Turkmenabat (2025) and UNESCO support have bolstered preservation efforts [Turkmenistan State News Agency, 2025].
Preservation and Promotion of Bagshy Music
Turkmenistan sustains this art through national celebrations like Nowruz and Turkmen Horse Day, music workshops in Ashgabat and Turkmenabat (January 2025), and dedicated museum sections. Streaming performances online has promoted global outreach [Times of Central Asia, June 2025]. UNESCO’s recognition of “Gorogly” and dutar craftsmanship has enhanced training and international visibility [UNESCO, 2015; 2021].
Experiencing Bagshy Music
For enthusiasts, attending bagshy performances at Nowruz celebrations (Ashgabat, March 2025) or Turkmen Horse Day (last Sunday in April) is unforgettable. Live performances in traditional yurts near Merv offer a deep cultural connection. For Iranian audiences, the similarity between “Gorogly” and “Koroghlu” and the dutar’s resemblance to the tar and setar makes the experience familiar and engaging [Encyclopaedia Iranica, 2023].
Conclusion
Bagshy music and Turkmen storytelling, with the dutar and epic destans, keep the spirit of Turkmen nomadic culture alive. With deep connections across Iran, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia, this art is a regional cultural treasure. Support from Turkmenistan’s government, UNESCO, and modern technologies ensures a vibrant future for this tradition.
Sources
• UNESCO (2015). Art of Performing the Turkmen Epic Art of Gorogly. whc.unesco.org
• UNESCO (2021). Craftsmanship of Dutar Making and Traditional Music Performing Art Combined with Singing. whc.unesco.org
• Encyclopaedia Iranica (2023). Koroghlu Epic in Turkic and Persian Cultures. iranicaonline.org
• Sarianidi, V. (2023). Archaeological Sites of Margiana: Musical Artifacts. Journal of Central Asian Archaeology.
• Turkmen Portal (2024). Bagshy Music and Dutar Traditions in Turkmenistan. turkmenportal.com
• Journal of Central Asian Studies (2024). Oral Traditions and Performance Styles in Turkmen Culture, Vol. 12, No. 3.
• UNESCO (2023). Challenges to Intangible Cultural Heritage in Central Asia. whc.unesco.org
• Times of Central Asia (2024). Spirit of Tengri Festival, Almaty, June 2024. timesca.com
• Times of Central Asia (2025). Turkmenistan’s e-Visa System Boosts Cultural Tourism. timesca.com
• Times of Central Asia (2025). ECO FEST, Ashgabat, March 2025. timesca.com
• Times of Central Asia (June 2025). 5G Connectivity in Arkadag. timesca.com
• Turkmenistan State News Agency (2025). Music Workshops in Ashgabat and Turkmenabat, January 2025. turkmenistan.gov.tm