Ashgabat Day 46 14 June 2019
Today we went to the oldest Akhel-Teke stud farm in Turkmenistan. These horses are world renowned for their stamina and speed. The stud owner,Asher is continuing a tradition started by his grandfather. Although The Soviets “collectivised” the stud farms ,since independence they are now private so Asher owns the farm again.
To understand how important the horse is to Turkmen culture you only have to know three things. First that the Akhe-Teke breed is the centre of the country’s national emblem.Second that every year the last Sunday in April is Turkmen horse day. And if that doesn’t prove it, then the clincher is that in the Turkmenistan government is a Ministry of Horses.
There is evidence of horse graves found at Mary in the south east, which indicates the Akhe-Teke breed may have been 2500 years old. The breed is known for its stamina, height, stamina and the sheen of its coat.
Asher told a delightful story that when young he had asked his grandfather “Where did the horse come from?”
His grandfather had replied that “Years and years ago God decided to give a gift to the people by combining three animals the snake the eagle and the cheetah”
“From the snake the horse kept his head high so he had distinctive walk, like an eagle because he can look down as to where he is going and light and fast like a cheetah”
After the stud farm we went to mineral springs that were deep underground-quite steep with a lot of steps but not much when we got there.
However that could not be said when we arrived at the Turkmenbashi Ruhy (The TurkmenBashi Spiritual) Mosque. Built by the first president who used the title Turkmenbashi (Head of the Turkmen)it is the largest mosque in Central Asia and can accomodate over ten thousand worshippers.It is built completely out of white marble surrounded by fountains.Each of the pillars has key thoughts from the Turkmenbashi’s book Ruhnama (The Book of the Soul) as well as the Quran.Apparently this caused issues with some muslims who refuse to worship there.Although on the day we were there we saw people in attendance at prayer time.See the link Atlas Obscura Description of the Mosque
Next to the mosque is a mausoleum which holds the body of Turkmenbashi who died in 2006 and members of his family.
After a quick visit and a surfeit of white marble we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our 2.55 am flight to Istanbul.
