Today, the wife of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the mother of Arkadagly Serdar – Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova presented as a gift the amulets by Ogulabat eje – ‘alaja’, a sample of grace and beauty, and the instrument with which they were made to the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan. This was evidence of the continuation of the traditions created by Turkmen needlewomen for centuries.
The art of embroidery is an integral part of the treasury of national cultural values. As it is known, the mother of the Hero-Arkadag – Ogulabat eje devoted her whole life to raising children and promoted the improvement of the traditions of needlework passed down from generation to generation.
It should be noted that the elegant ‘kurte’ embroidered by Ogulabat eje is an example of the unique decorative and applied art of the people, a visible confirmation of respect for national and spiritual values and traditions created by Turkmen women, which are successfully developing today. The diligence and skill of Ogulabat eje have become a role model for the younger generation.
Ogulgerek eje shared her memories that her mother-in-law attached special importance to the education of hard work in the family, finding a profession and learning art, young girls should learn manual labor, and through it – the rules of behavior and etiquette. Ogulabat eje told her great-grandson Kerimguly that the tool used to create the ‘alaja’ was made from the branches of an adult elm tree so as not to harm the tree. All this suggests that Ogulabat eje gave valuable advice regarding respect for nature.
And today, the wife of the Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Serdar’s mother Ogulgerek eje, together with her granddaughters, visited the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan and granted the museum the amulets created by Ogulabat eje-alaja, skillfully made and decorated with original patterns, testifying to the high skill and diligence of this wonderful woman, and the tool for their manufacture. All this is a clear evidence of the continuity of the ancestral traditions that have been successfully developed in the modern epoch.
Currently, under the wise leadership of Arkadagly Serdar, large-scale work is being carried out to study, preserve and widely popularize the richest cultural heritage of our people. The mentoring school is of particular importance in this regard.
Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov worthily continues the activities initiated by the Hero-Arkadag to preserve the national heritage and increase the centuries-old traditions of the people.
The Arkadag scientist in his book “Worshipping Mother – Worshipping a Sacred Person” wrote that when he tied amulets-aladja – around the neck of foals and horses, he felt the warmth of his dear mother’s hands. The National Leader compares the mother to a shrine, which embodies such wonderful qualities as humanity, kindness, patience, devotion, hard work, respect and reverence for ancestors.
The participants of the event got acquainted with the exposition dedicated to the activities of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as with his photographs, in which the Hero-Arkadag, an active supporter of a healthy lifestyle, is engaged in various sports and artistic creativity.
Among the exhibits placed in the museum are poems written by the father of the Hero-Arkadag Myalikguly aga during the harsh years of the war, as well as works by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, information about his musical and song preferences. Here one can also see drawings of Arkadag’s grandchildren depicting native landscape. All this is evidence of the state’s attention to family values, because family is a sacred concept for Turkmens.
National products created by the skillful hands of women and Ogulabat eje herself have gained wide popularity all over the world today. It should be noted that great efforts are being made in the country to attract young people to folk crafts, including embroidery by the ‘keshde’ method, carpet weaving. The great significance of this most delicate art for world culture is evidenced by the inclusion of the nomination “Turkmen Embroidery Art” in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind.
On behalf of the museum’s employees and all Turkmen women, words of gratitude for the gift to the State Museum were addressed to Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova.
Wishing everyone success in their creative activities, the wife of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, the mother of Arkadagly Serdar Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova went to the National Museum of the Turkmen Carpet.
As history testifies, our glorious ancestors, with their talent and hard work, created unique examples of decorative and applied art, original crafts. Carpet weaving occupies an important place among them.
Carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation, national values, spiritual traditions, the Turkmen art of carpet weaving are of increasing interest in the world. Along with the works of folk handicrafts, elegant carpets and carpet products made by the hands of Turkmen women become the adornment of fashionable palaces.
Currently, thanks to the attention of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the most favorable conditions have been created in the country for the development of national culture, as well as the wide popularization of the rich heritage of the Turkmen people. Every year, the Head of Turkmenistan grants state awards to the most famous women, assigns them honorary titles. All this work is intended to promote the works of carpet art created by the talent of Turkmen masters into the world space.
Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova and her granddaughters were told about ancient folk traditions, women’s needlework, including the history of carpet weaving, legends related to this craft at the National Museum of Turkmen Carpet.
As it was noted, the art of carpet weaving has been developing since ancient times and has been constantly improving. All this demonstrates the immense love of the people for artistic creativity and all kinds of crafts, as well as the connection of times and generations. It should be recalled that the profound works of the Hero-Arkadag “Living Legend” and “Heavenly Beauty” are also devoted to the history of national carpet-making.
In her turn, Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova told about the peculiarities of the work of carpet makers, that the quality of the carpet depends on the number of knots in a row. Having woven a lot of carpets in her life, she said that the pattern of gels in each velayat is unique, and also familiarized with the preparation of the loom for work. The audience listened to every word, because today’s youth are interested in everything related to the production of carpets, especially handmade.
Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova noted that she passes on the art of carpet weaving to her descendants. As people say, the upbringing of a girl depends on her skills in needlework. Then the wife of the Hero-Arkadag, the mother of Arkadagly Serdar, together with her granddaughters, sat down at the machine on which the basis of the future carpet was stretched, and began knitting knots – this is called ‘chitmek’ among the Turkmens. With the help of ‘darak’, she compacted the woven row. While doing this, Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova never tired of explaining the subtleties of this art to her granddaughters. And the way the wife of the Hero-Arkadag confidently knocked by ‘darak’, compacting the pile, testified to her skill. All those present watched the work closely, admiring what they saw.
During the event, the participants were informed that lectures are organized for the visitors of the museum, which deal with the peculiarities of the production of handmade carpets, the history of each carpet, information and legends from the books of the Hero-Arkadag devoted to carpet weaving.
Carpets woven by the hands of Turkmen women – our national treasure – are in great demand in the world, being constantly growing. Made from environmentally friendly woolen threads, handmade Turkmen carpets are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and grace. Foreign customers admit that it is very respectable and convenient to have such products in their home.
Then the director of the museum expressed sincere gratitude to Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova for taking the time to visit the National Museum of the Turkmen Carpet, the master class given to museum visitors, as well as for the interest shown in its activities.
