Turkmenistan mandates former president's songs at weddings amid push for cultural purity
As reported by profiles like Nexta on platform X, Turkmenistan residents are required to include a wedding song of former President Berdimuhamedov in wedding ceremonies. Authorities in the country's western regions insist on excluding foreign music from wedding playlists.
Despite the absence of an official decree, people are orally instructed to follow this requirement when applying for a marriage license at civil status offices.
Civil status offices advise couples to feature only Turkmen music in their weddings and maintain a traditional Turkmen style.
An anonymous restaurant employee disclosed that establishments organizing weddings ensure that 80 percent of the songs played are in the Turkmen language. Contravening these directives or criticizing government policy are strictly prohibited in Turkmenistan.
Unusual wedding advice
An employee from a restaurant disclosed to the media about a recent wedding where the playlist featured the traditional Turkmen folk dance "kush depti" and two songs by Berdimuhamedov, alongside many other Turkmen songs. Allegedly, the DJ was instructed to play Berdimuhamedov's songs twice, each lasting seven minutes.
Former President of Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedov, is known for composing songs shedding light on themes associated with the country, its residents, his youthful days, and his favorite horse.
