Discovering Turkmenistan: Central Asia’s hidden gem
By Guardian Exclusive
23 September 2023 |
4:05 am
There happen to be some rather strange practices that are laws in a country that forbid couples from holding hands in public. Banning black cars, preventing dirty vehicles from entering its capital city, and banning women from fixing lashes and nails, talk less of cosmetic surgery. You'd be wrong to assume this country is North Korea. This is the story of Turkmenistan's weird way of life and culture.
In this article
Related
Related
9 Sep
The drill took place just as the joint exercises conducted by Seoul and Washington concluded. Pyongyang's intent was to show strength and "warn enemies."
14 Sep
A major exhibition at the Festival of Photojournalism, the Visa pour L’Image, in Perpignan in southwest France is currently showcasing the power of women as Iran continues to clamp down on women's rights. A year ago, Iranian woman Mahsa Amini was arrested by the religious morality police for not wearing a hijab. Amini was beaten and later died as a result of police brutality, sparking widespread women-led protests in Iran. Journalist Ghazal Golshiri, who coproduced the exhibition, speaks to FRANCE 24.
17 Sep
Israel's Supreme Court has opened the first case examining the legality of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul, lurching towards a showdown with the nation’s far-right government. The latter has split Israel in two ever since it announced plans to reform the country’s judicial system, which would see the Supreme Court weakened.
15 Sep
Kim's days-long trip to Russia has led to concern that Pyongyang and Moscow are looking to expand military cooperation.
18 Sep
Facial hair growth has long been associated with masculinity. Making it surprising for many people when they see a woman with a beard.
Nigerian women with beards or co-chest hair are often stereotyped and usually associated with being wicked or worse accused of witchcraft. Many times, Nigerians also conclude that a woman who has a mustache, a beard, or excessive body hair will definitely be from the eastern part of the country.
In this video, we will be discussing why women grow beards and excessive body hair.
18 Sep
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un headed home with some explosive souvenirs from his weeklong tour of Russia. The visit has fanned Western concerns that Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin might strike an arms deal.
19 Sep
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un headed home with some explosive souvenirs from his weeklong tour of Russia. The visit has fanned Western concerns that Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin might strike an arms deal.
21 Sep
Military officials are looking for the F-35B Lightning II jet after a "mishap" off South Carolina's coast. The pilot ejected safely.
23 Sep
At least 17 Japanese nationals have been accused of spying under sweeping "espionage" regulations introduced by Beijing in July, leaving companies reluctant to send their staff to China and imperiling local production.
19 Sep
Kim Jong Un returned to North Korea from Russia, where he deepened "comradely fellowship and friendly relations" with Vladimir Putin. Western countries fear the visit involved plans to arm Russia's war in Ukraine.
23 Sep
There happen to be some rather strange practices that are laws in a country that forbid couples from holding hands in public. Banning black cars, preventing dirty vehicles from entering its capital city, and banning women from fixing lashes and nails, talk less of cosmetic surgery. You'd be wrong to assume this country is North Korea. This is the story of Turkmenistan's weird way of life and culture.
29 Sep
In Senegal, despite clear legislative progress towards gender equality and the huge contribution women make to the rural economy, they remain in the minority or even absent from strategic and operational land governance bodies at ‘commune’ level. Furthermore, the legal recognition of the principle of citizens’ engagement in public affairs is not accompanied by any working mechanism to ensure that grassroots communities are able to participate.
Latest
3 hours ago
Victories in key Indian states put Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a strong position ahead of general elections in 2024. It was a blow for the Indian National Congress, leading an alliance hoping to unseat Modi.
3 hours ago
At least 20 people have been killed by floods after heavy rain in the Manyara region of northern Tanzania, the ministry of health said on Sunday, with video released by the Tanzania Red Cross Society showing muddy waters gushing down streets.
3 hours ago
Spotify, a digital music service, could be seeking to boost its profitability with the move. The Stockholm-headquartered company has never posted a full-year net profit.
4 hours ago
There is league football action to look forward to in the next couple of days; Much Maligned Manchester United goes up against an inconsistent Chelsea, Manchester City faces Aston Villa while Juventus locks horns with Scudetto holders Napoli to begin the Serie A weekend. My name is Ayomide Sotubo and here's our preview of these games on the Nutmeg on Guardian TV.
6 hours ago
Born in South Africa during apartheid, Pretty Yende grew up singing hymns with her grandmother on the way to church. This past May she dazzled Westminster Abbey at the coronation of King Charles, cementing her status as one of the world's most sought-after sopranos. Yende says her journey is proof that nothing is impossible.
6 hours ago
Destruction of the Amazon rainforest has significantly decreased since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was reelected Brazil's president. His government has strengthened the agency monitoring illegal deforestation.
×

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.