Turkoman

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Member of the majority ethnic group in Turkmenistan. They live to the east of the Caspian Sea, around the Kara Kum Desert, and along the borders of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Their language belongs to the Turkic branch of the Altaic family and is closely related to the language of Turkey.

Culture
The Turkomen trace descent through the male line. According to Turkoman custom, males were expected to make bridewealth payments in order to get married. Unlike most other Asian Turks, who were stratified by descent (nobles above commoners), the Turkomen were stratified by occupation (herders superior to farmers). Traditionally tent-dwelling pastoral nomads, the majority of Turkomen are now sedentary farmers and stock breeders. They are predominantly Sunni Muslims.

History
Historically, their political organization was based on patrilineal clans that could join together to resist attacks by other groups. Their military prowess enabled them to raid caravans passing through central Asia and sedentary groups, particularly in northeastern Iran and northern Afghanistan. Their history is closely linked to that of other Turkic peoples. The Turkoman dynasties of the 15th century had considerable power, and they retained some kind of independence until they were subdued by Russia between 1881 and 1885.

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