The melons of Turkmenistan are so sweet and revered that they are recognized by a national holiday. Niyazov claimed that it was an attempt at a coup, and as a result, the Turkmen government arrested thousands of suspected conspirators and members of their families. Saparmurat Niyazov was the President of Turkmenistan from 1991-2006. One of the many strange rules established by Niyazov in 2004 was that young men were forbidden to have a beard or long hair. Photo: Getty Images. As preferences go, we can't argue. As the buyer, you should be aware of possible: . The Ferris wheel is 156 feet (47.60 m) tall, while its surrounding structure is 187 feet (57 m).
9 fascinating facts about Turkmenistan - G Adventures renaming Turkmen months and days of the week, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR, Turkmenistani presidential election of 1992, renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, 22nd Motor Rifle Division "Atamyrat Niyazov", Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute, http://kitapcy.com/news/ocmejek_sohrat/2020-05-09-61, "Turkmenistan Fact Sheet, Government & Politics President", "Interesting Histories: Saparmurat Niyazov The Real General Aladeen", BBC News, "Turkmen go back to old calendar", 24 April 2008, "Rural population (% of total population): Turkmenistan", BBC News, "Turkmen leader closes hospitals", 1 March 2005, "It's a Gas: Funny Business in the Turkmen-Ukraine Gas Trade", "Golden Statues and Mother Bread: The Bizarre Legacy of Turkmenistan's Former Dictator", "Central Asian Republics: Presidents' Biographies", "The Turkmen Economy: Challenges and Opportunities", Turkmen Leader Names New Oil And Gas Minister, "Saparmurat Niyazov raps local governors for failures in cotton harvest", "Saparmurat Niyazov dismisses grain products association chairman", "List of holidays and commemorative days approved in Turkmenistan", "World War II -- 60 Years After: For Some Central Asians, 'Great Patriotic War' Is More Controversial Than Ever", "TURKMEN ARMY UNITS NAMED AFTER PROMINENT GENERALS | Turkmenistan.ru", "Turkmenistan. Even after Turkmenbashi's death, the ban continues. (Seems just the order of things now): . It declared independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. It is a public holiday. Global Witness, a London-based human rights organisation, reported that money under Niyazov's control and held overseas may be in excess of US$3 billion, of which between $1.8$2.6 billion was allegedly situated in the Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund at Deutsche Bank in Germany. Turkmenistan's Melons. The telpek is an ancient wears that has eluded the test of time to remain relevant. Given that there is an abundance of natural gas in Turkmenistan, people never switch off the gas. 2. The situation with real estate is quite acceptable, but not as pleasant as before. In November 2005, he ordered that doctors should swear an oath to him instead of the, In the same month, he ordered the country's oil minister to learn. One foreigner we spoke to confirmed that she recently received a firm reprimand from a policeman in Ashgabat because her car was a bit dusty. Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant. His renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, to Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events,[22] family members and himself was an unexpected development. Previously, the government subsidized mortgages. You`re wrong. However, the rule of no public smoking is enforced. The Turkmen government closely controls what goes on in Turkmenistan's many theaters. Within mosques, it was to be treated the same as the Quran. . What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? Copyright 2023 India Today Group. Although reliable numbers are not readily available, it is estimated that less than 15,000 people visit the country annually. Luke Ward is the owner of The Fact Site. . 2015 saw Turkmenistans first satellite launched, in the same month all satellite dishes were banned across the country in an attempt to stop Turkmens gaining access to international media. In 2005 lip-syncing was banned at concerts. Melons of Turkmenistan are famous all throughout the region. m). [67][68][69] Like Kim Il-sung, there is even a creation myth surrounding him. It was not changed or repealed by Berdymukhamedov. The autocrat even got the book launched in space, in August 2005, so that the book could conquer space as well. In March 2005, he ordered the closure of all hospitals outside Ashgabat, stating that the sick should go to the capital for treatment. ", in, Hiro, Dilip. Do you think you have seen all the strange laws of Turkmenistan? Niyazov put the revival of Turkmen culture as one of the top priorities in Turkmenistan's development. He also made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. He outlawed opera, ballet, circuses and philharmonic orchestras in 2001 for being "decidedly unturkmen-like". If the imam or the cleric of the mosque refused to obey his orders, the mosque would be demolished. In late 2020, teachers in Turkmenabat, the country`s second largest city, were banned from dyeing their lighter hair. Niyazov introduced the practice of "Melon Day", a harvest festival celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of August; unlike some of his other creations, the celebration of "Melon Day" has continued after his death. Last Updated on February 17, 2018 by Audrey Scott. President for life Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws during his reign, here are some of them: In February 2004, men were banned from wearing long hair or beards. Saudi Arabia. Some of these laws were rationalized under the premise of trying to preserve traditional Turkmen culture. The locals were ordered to recite Ruhnama every day. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below. During a sunny day, the city center shines glamorously due to the white marble. Turkmenistan is a country in central Asia, with a population of just under six million and plentiful gas reserves. Since 1993, the people of Turkmenistanhave been given free water, electricity and gas. Some Turkmen opposition sources also claim that Niyazov died several days before the officially announced date of 21 December. Berdimuhamedow and the Halk Maslahaty announced on 26 December 2006 that the next presidential elections would be held on 11 February 2007 to elect Niyazov's successor.
Unbelievable Facts About Turkmenistan, the Dystopian - WorldAtlas Turkmenistanis right up there with North Korea as far as weird dictatorships are concerned. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. Sellers declare the item's customs value and must comply with customs declaration laws. This was part of a publicity stunt in response to death hoax rumors. Among the figures who were arrested/purged were former Foreign Ministers Boris yhmyradow and Batyr Berdiew, as well as Major Begench Beknazarov of the Turkmen Ground Forces and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Serdar Charyyarov.
Keep it Legal: China's 10 Strangest Rules and Laws - eChinacities.com However, Turkmenistan is also no stranger to bizarre behavior from its political powers. In February 2004, he decreed that men should no longer wear long hair or beards because of the apparent association with, In March 2004, he fired doctors and gymnastics instructors and replaced them with military. However, it still exists, albeit in a non-rotating form, out in the suburbs of Ashgabat. In 2005, he closed down all rural libraries and hospitals outside of the capital city Ashgabat, in a country where at that time more than half the population lived in rural areas,[8] once stating that, "If people are ill, they can come to Ashgabat. We do know that bathing suits are not banned. For these, and other reasons, the US government said that by the time he died, "Niyazov's personality cult had reached the dimensions of a state-imposed religion."[74]. . It still burns to this day! Some of the first strange laws that were introduced occurred under Turkmenistan`s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. [5][6] He promoted a cult of personality around himself and imposed his personal eccentricities upon the country, such as renaming Turkmen months and days of the week to references of his autobiography the Ruhnama. [31] All libraries outside of the capital were also closed, as Niyazov believed that the only books that most Turkmen needed to read were the Qur'an and his Ruhnama. Larger than any law, it illuminates the path of the Turkmen like the sun. During Niyazov's presidency, a textile industry was founded in Turkmenistan. While he was at it, he changed the "Hippocratch Oath" to the "President's Oath". [97] A park in Turkey is named after him. The emblem, however, is of the living horse and once the horse dies, the new Akhal Teke horse will be chosen and the national emblem will be updated. A major element of the original constitution was permanent neutrality, which was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995. Moreover, there is also a carpet on the national flag of Turkmenistan. However, many police are using the law and people's ignorance of the details to fine anyone with an extremely filthy car, even if the license plate can be seen just fine. This was because it was decided that everyone should come to the capital for treatment.
America's Strangest 15 Laws. [4] In 1999, the Assembly of Turkmenistan declared Niyazov President for Life of Turkmenistan. Between 2002 and 2008, the days of the week and months of the year were renamed to Turkmen National Symbols. A picture of the Hell's Gate or the Darwaza Crater.
Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Turkmenistan - Unusual Traveler In 2008, less than two years after Niyazov's death, the names of months and days of the week changed by Niyazov were restored,[90] and reference in the National Anthem of Turkmenistan to Niyazov was replaced with "the people". Up to 2014, this also included the vehicles. This meant that anyone living in rural areas had to travel across the country to get medical care (which is vaguely the size of California). Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. Through our stories, advisory, and speaking we are creating a movement of travelers and businesses who live at the intersection of adventure, meaningful travel, and caring for our planet and its people. New York: Overlook Press, 2009. p227. Niyazov also ordered the closure of all libraries outside the capital, stating that the reason was that ordinary Turkmens did not read anyway. One of the most bizarre laws from the incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is that you cannot have black cars in the capital city, Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan: What Life Is Like Inside Secretive Dictatorship However, this seems a bit beside the point when you realize that people got sick and couldn't access doctors. It's not the only wackadoodle law that still exists in the States. but relics of him live on in the form of strange laws, changed . The Turkmen Agricultural University is named after him, as is the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute. Pilov is the staple diet of the people of Turkmenistan. Unlike other Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan under Niyazov put emphasis on the country's sacrifice during the Second World War. He even went to the extent of inscribing the verses of Ruhnama and Quran on the largest mosque of Turkmenistan, Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque. 6. Cars that are not white are forbidden from the streets of Ashgabat, the non-white vehicles taken from the owners as hostages and forcibly painted white no matter what. The first, Niyazov, ruled for 15 years and called himself the "President for Life".
50 Weird Laws in the US You Won't Believe Are Real He also took part in creating new holidays with a specific Turkmen nature and introduced a new Latin-based Turkmen alphabet to replace Russian Cyrillic. The garment is made of sheepskin and is worn on the head to resemble a turban. Only white cars are allowed in the capital. You may be wondering if the Turkmen president is crazy?
Spending 3 Days in The World's Strangest City - YouTube 42 Unexpected Ways to Get Arrested Around the World Students of all levels must adhere to a strict dress code. He was a member of the influential Teke tribe of the Turkmens. However, Saparmurat Niyazov has remained a celebrated figure in Turkmenistan. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Good to know, right? THE ONLY NEUTRAL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, Indian PM Narendra Modi met Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in July 2015. 7) Thou shalt not name thy children strangely. Oral sex is illegal. So yes, this weird Japanese law is actually enforced. You are here: The following is reprinted from Uncle John's Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader. Smoking is definitely allowed. Sending a delicious pepperoni pizza pie to a friend out of the blue sounds like a thoughtful gesture. The crater burns continuously in the desert, creating the impression of the gates of hell. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex.
Interesting Histories: Saparmurat Niyazov The Real General - Medium Turkmenistan under Turkmen Presidents Niyazov and Berdymuhamadov has. According to the state-run newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan, the President has orderedhis Cabinet ministers to find a way to close theearthlygates of hell. Spandex ban Another ban in the vein of "it's un-Turkmen." However, most of its area is inhospitable to plant and animal life. Here are some that Saparmurat Niyazov has implemented. The Darwaza Crater or The Hell's gate. The city is heavily surveilled by police and so this ban is strongly enacted. In 2017, the World Press Freedom Index ranked 178th of 180 countries, just below Eritrea and North Korea. In Ashgabat, he erected a rotating, $12 million, golden statue of himself that always faces the sun. [1], Niyazov was buried in his ready prepared tomb in Kipchak Mosque on 24 December at his home village of Gypjak, approximately 7 kilometres (4.3mi) west of Ashgabat. Remember him, because we will be talking about him quite a bit. It was not amended or repealed by Berdymukhamedov. The largest architectural constructed star in the world, a glass construction, which has a total area of 3,240 sq. Some historians believe that over one million people were killed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [60][61], The summer of 2004 saw a leaflet campaign in the capital, Agabat, calling for the overthrow and trial of Niyazov. However, the rule of no public smoking is enforced. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. It was reopened in 2009 after his death, by his successor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. That was more than 50 years ago and the fire is yet to be put out. Turkmenistan, a land-locked country, is the least densely populated countryinCentral Asia. Turkmenistan's media constantly doted on the president and helped build his cult of personality. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Under Niyazov, the Turkmen Communist Party had a reputation as one of the most hardline and unreformed party organizations in the Soviet Union. Niyazov ordered that all mountains and places in Turkmenistan be named after Turkmen heroes, poets and leaders. In kitapcy.com. People say that subsidized mortgages are also available to teachers and doctors, but I couldn`t find a teacher who would confirm this to me. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Unbelievable Facts About Turkmenistan, the Dystopian Dictatorship You Haven't Heard Of, Top 10 Unbelievable Places In The World That Anyone Can Visit, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan. We were so close to a visit when we were in this area in 2018, but we were a little nervous about Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and were also running out of time. Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. The full independence of Turkmenistan was recognised by a UN General Assembly resolution "The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan" of 12 December 1995.
Even locals you talk to in Turkmenistan don`t know the site, although it remains the biggest attraction that attracts tourists to Turkmenistan. When he tried to quit, he instigated this ban so as to eliminate temptation from people smoking on the street. [75][76] One month prior to his death, Niyazov had publicly announced that he had been taking heart medication for the past few years for an unidentified cardiac condition. Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. [33][34] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan strongly denied allegations that the cut in pensions resulted in the deaths of many elderly Turkmens, accusing foreign media outlets of spreading "deliberately perverted" information on the issue. Seychelles, Sierra Leone . ", "Turkmen Government Removes Ruhnama as Required Subject | Eurasianet", "Turkmenistan Is Finally Putting the 'Ruhnama' Behind Them", "Education in Turkmenistan Under the Second President: Genuine Reforms or Make Believe? Could you imagine enforcing this law in the U.Sor India? : r/todayilearned It is made in compounds of rice with chunks of meat, carrot, and spices, fried in a large pan or a cauldron. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. ASHGABAT IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, A picture of capital city Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Pensions received during the prior two years were ordered paid back to the state. A year later he declared himself Trkmenbay, meaning "Leader of all Turkmen". In 2008, President Berdymukhamedov added a new subsidy, of giving 120 litres of fuel to every individual every month. [94][95] Displaying and keeping the book alongside the Quran in mosques were also stopped, except in Trkmenbay Ruhy Mosque.
The Craziest Dictators In Human History - All That's Interesting One of the many weird rules framed by Niyazov in 2004 was that young men were barred from having beard or long hair. His presidency was characterised by an initial crumbling of the centralised Soviet model that in many respects was unsuited for a transition to smaller, separate, states. It was formerly known as Turkmenia. Turkmenistan under Turkmen Presidents Niyazov and Berdymuhamadov has experienced some crazy laws, and these here are the top 10 most unbelievable laws from Turkmenistan.Thanks for watching! In 1995, all 185 members voted for Turkmenistan to remain neutral and in celebrationof this, an olive branch was added to the flag. If you can't answer correctly, no driving license, sorry. In 1994 a plebiscite extended Niyazov's term to 2002 so he could oversee a 10-year development plan. He then studied at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, where in 1967 he received a diploma as an electrical engineer. For example, in 2005, 8,145 convicts were pardoned including 229 foreign nationals. The cap is designed in such a way that it maintains a stable body temperature in scorching summers or cold winter nights of the desert. This Central Asian country between Kazakhstan, Iran, and a huge desert, has been ruled by a dictator for 15 years with some truly bizarre laws. Today we are going to look at 20 facts about this little unknown country. P.iva: 202474539
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