Amulet, late 19th–early 20th century. Present-day Uzbekistan, Karakalpak tribe
After reading this chapter, you will be able to:
The history of Central Asia presents a constant political and cultural interplay between nomadic and settled peoples.
The Turkmen have a long history in Central Asia, but little is known about their early history because they did not keep written records.
Because the livelihood of the Turkmen depended on their livestock—including sheep, goats, camels, and horses—year-round access to pastures was essential.
In addition to livestock, the most important Turkmen family possession was the housing unit.
The tradition of Turkmen weaving, dating back centuries, played an important role in the socialization process. In Turkmen society, jewelry served several functions.
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