Ethno-cultural characteristics of Turkmens of Afghanistan: A demographic and cultural approach

Afghanistan has a society known for its rich ethnic and cultural diversity. The Turkmens, most of whom immigrated from Central Asia in the 1920s-30s and settled in the northern regions of Afghanistan, are one of these ethnic groups. In this research, the ethnocultural identities of the Turkmens living in the provinces such as Faryab, Jawzjan, Balkh and Kunduz were examined. The Turkmens, who left their mother society and settled in northern Afghanistan, have become an ethnic minority in this country. Turkmens, who settled in a multi-ethnic country like Afghanistan, tried to develop necessary institutions, mechanisms and strategies to preserve their traditional identities. The aim of this research is to determine to what extent the Turkmens of Afghanistan can preserve their cultural identity and ethnic group status. Since our research is an ethno-cultural and descriptive field research, mainly qualitative method was used. The universe of the research is composed of Turkmens of Afghanistan. The sample of the study was selected from the provinces of Faryab, Jawzjan, Balkh and Kunduz, where Turkmens live intensely. First of all, the documents related to the subject of the research were examined, and then first-hand data were collected by using observation and interview techniques in the field. In the individual and focus group interviews we conducted; loosely structured open-ended questions were asked. During the study, data were collected by interviewing Turkmen participants who were born and grew up in the research area and had to leave the region due to various adverse conditions. During the research process, participants equipped with cultural knowledge, which we can call resource persons such as elders, religious scholars, teachers, tradesmen, and academics, as well as participants living in villages such as workers and women, were interviewed.