Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1569
2009-12-07 09:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: A LOOK INTO THE FEAST OF THE
how-toVZCZCXRO0249 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHAH #1569 3410949 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 070949Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3851 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5959 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3653 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3512 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 4201 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1288 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 4143
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001569
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: A LOOK INTO THE FEAST OF THE
SACRIFICE HOLIDAY
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001569
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: A LOOK INTO THE FEAST OF THE
SACRIFICE HOLIDAY
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution.
2. (SBU) During November 28-30, Turkmen celebrated Gurban
Bayram, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. Gurban Bayram is the
Turkmen version of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha, and is
widely celebrated across the country. The three-day holiday
has been celebrated in Turkmenistan since the country gained
Independence in 1991. Pol/Econ Officers were invited to
participate in some of the Gurban Bayram events held in
Ashgabat.
3. (SBU) According to a devout Turkmen Muslim, Gurban Bayram
is one of the most important Muslim holidays. During the
three-day holiday, Muslims are encouraged to attend seven
Gurban Bayram dinners, as a means of having sins forgiven.
The main component of the dinner is a dish made from lamb
called dograma (pronounced dohrama). The lamb is selected
live and then killed according to Halal requirements in
preparation for the Gurban Bayram dinner. The meat is boiled
for several hours in large metal kettles on open fires to
ensure the meat is tender and to provide a broth. The meat is
then served dry with pieces of traditional Turkmen bread
called churek or as a soup once the broth is added.
4. (SBU) Pol/Econ Officer and his family was invited to a
neighbor's apartment to participate in a traditional Gurban
Bayram dinner. As is Muslim tradition, male and females did
not sit together during the meal. Women and children were
ushered inside the house and sat on the floor as they ate,
while the men were outside sitting at tables. As each male
dinner guest prepared to leave the table, the traditional
Muslim prayer for the end of a meal was offered in Arabic.
According to dinner guests, one of the major requirements of
the holiday was that no debts could be incurred to provide
the dinner. The dinner was truly a feast and it was obvious
that a lot of money was spent on a meal that lasted several
hours. In addition, guests often did not stay long, so that
they could attend several other dinners at the homes of
family and friends.
5. (SBU) Another Turkmen tradition on Gurban Bayram is to
swing on toweringly tall swings, an act that supposedly rids
one of one's sins. In several Ashgabat districts, swings
that were approximately two stories tall were set up in the
middle of neighborhoods. During the evenings of the holiday,
people gathered around the swings to either watch or
participate. Those that chose to swing were usually in their
teens or 20s, and got on the long board that was the swing in
groups of four. POLOFF saw several policemen gathered around
every swing, probably to ensure safety. At each gathering
point there was also a stage, and POLOFF heard a variety of
music from traditional Turkmen songs performed by orchestras
to rock music.
6. (SBU) COMMENT: How Turkmen choose to celebrate Gurban
Bayram varies depending on the extent to which a family
observes Turkmen traditions. Not everyone sacrifices their
own sheep or lamb and not everyone says prayers. Less
traditional Turkmen will sometimes make a donation, instead
of an animal sacrifice. Some traditions, like the swing,
appear to be a mix of Turkmen culture and Islam. Despite the
Turkmen President's order in 2008 that the government
organize holiday celebrations throughout the country, the
holiday retains its family orientation and most festivities
seemed to take place at home, with friends and family and a
large meal. END COMMENT.
ECKSTROM
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: A LOOK INTO THE FEAST OF THE
SACRIFICE HOLIDAY
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution.
2. (SBU) During November 28-30, Turkmen celebrated Gurban
Bayram, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. Gurban Bayram is the
Turkmen version of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha, and is
widely celebrated across the country. The three-day holiday
has been celebrated in Turkmenistan since the country gained
Independence in 1991. Pol/Econ Officers were invited to
participate in some of the Gurban Bayram events held in
Ashgabat.
3. (SBU) According to a devout Turkmen Muslim, Gurban Bayram
is one of the most important Muslim holidays. During the
three-day holiday, Muslims are encouraged to attend seven
Gurban Bayram dinners, as a means of having sins forgiven.
The main component of the dinner is a dish made from lamb
called dograma (pronounced dohrama). The lamb is selected
live and then killed according to Halal requirements in
preparation for the Gurban Bayram dinner. The meat is boiled
for several hours in large metal kettles on open fires to
ensure the meat is tender and to provide a broth. The meat is
then served dry with pieces of traditional Turkmen bread
called churek or as a soup once the broth is added.
4. (SBU) Pol/Econ Officer and his family was invited to a
neighbor's apartment to participate in a traditional Gurban
Bayram dinner. As is Muslim tradition, male and females did
not sit together during the meal. Women and children were
ushered inside the house and sat on the floor as they ate,
while the men were outside sitting at tables. As each male
dinner guest prepared to leave the table, the traditional
Muslim prayer for the end of a meal was offered in Arabic.
According to dinner guests, one of the major requirements of
the holiday was that no debts could be incurred to provide
the dinner. The dinner was truly a feast and it was obvious
that a lot of money was spent on a meal that lasted several
hours. In addition, guests often did not stay long, so that
they could attend several other dinners at the homes of
family and friends.
5. (SBU) Another Turkmen tradition on Gurban Bayram is to
swing on toweringly tall swings, an act that supposedly rids
one of one's sins. In several Ashgabat districts, swings
that were approximately two stories tall were set up in the
middle of neighborhoods. During the evenings of the holiday,
people gathered around the swings to either watch or
participate. Those that chose to swing were usually in their
teens or 20s, and got on the long board that was the swing in
groups of four. POLOFF saw several policemen gathered around
every swing, probably to ensure safety. At each gathering
point there was also a stage, and POLOFF heard a variety of
music from traditional Turkmen songs performed by orchestras
to rock music.
6. (SBU) COMMENT: How Turkmen choose to celebrate Gurban
Bayram varies depending on the extent to which a family
observes Turkmen traditions. Not everyone sacrifices their
own sheep or lamb and not everyone says prayers. Less
traditional Turkmen will sometimes make a donation, instead
of an animal sacrifice. Some traditions, like the swing,
appear to be a mix of Turkmen culture and Islam. Despite the
Turkmen President's order in 2008 that the government
organize holiday celebrations throughout the country, the
holiday retains its family orientation and most festivities
seemed to take place at home, with friends and family and a
large meal. END COMMENT.
ECKSTROM