Why Gorogly Still Matters in Turkmenistan

Introduction

The Gorogly epic is more than Turkmenistan’s best-known legend. It functions as a shared cultural memory, a vast storehouse of heroic stories, moral ideals and historical imagination that has been passed from generation to generation through performance rather than books. At its centre stands the legendary hero Gorogly and his band of forty companions, whose adventures blend warfare, loyalty, justice, music, friendship and community values. For many Turkmens, the epic is not simply entertainment but a way of remembering who they are, what qualities they admire and how they understand their collective past. UNESCO recognised the epic art of Gorogly as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015, highlighting its continuing role in identity, education and oral tradition.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHEpic art of GoroglyThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition describing the achievements of the legendary hero Go…

Unlike a single fixed text, Gorogly exists as a living tradition. Different performers tell different episodes, emphasise different characters and adapt details for their audiences. This flexibility has helped the epic survive political change, modernisation and shifting cultural tastes while remaining one of the strongest symbols of Turkmen heritage.[UNESCO]unesco.orgTurkmen Epic Art of Gorogly | Intangible HeritageThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition that describes the achieve…

The Hero and His Forty Companions

The core narrative revolves around Gorogly, a legendary warrior whose adventures are told across a large cycle of connected stories rather than one continuous tale. In Turkmen tradition, he is accompanied by forty loyal horsemen whose courage and devotion help him defend his people, overcome enemies and uphold justice. UNESCO describes the tradition as recounting the achievements of Gorogly and his forty cavalrymen, making the group itself an essential part of the epic’s identity.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHEpic art of GoroglyThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition describing the achievements of the legendary hero Go…

The hero is not remembered simply because he wins battles. He embodies qualities that listeners are encouraged to admire: bravery, honour, loyalty, fairness and leadership. The stories present an idealised world in which courage is balanced by wisdom and strength is linked to responsibility. In many episodes, friendship and trust are just as important as military skill. These themes help explain why the epic has remained culturally influential long after the social world that produced it began to change.[unesco.org]unesco.orgTurkmen Epic Art of Gorogly | Intangible HeritageThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition that describes the achieve…

The Turkmen version also places strong emphasis on horses, companionship and communal solidarity. The hero’s famous horse and fortified stronghold are recurring symbols of independence and resilience. Rather than celebrating a lone champion, the stories repeatedly return to the idea that great achievements require loyal allies and a united community.[Wikipedia]WikipediaEpic of KoroghluEpic of Koroghlu

Performance, Values and Oral Memory

What makes Gorogly distinctive is that it lives primarily through performance. Specialist singer-storytellers perform episodes using narration, poetry, song, improvisation and musical accompaniment. UNESCO identifies the tradition as a complex oral art form that combines storytelling and music rather than existing solely as a written literary work.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHEpic art of GoroglyThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition describing the achievements of the legendary hero Go…

These performers, often known as epic singers or bards, are custodians of cultural memory. Their task is not merely to repeat a script but to recreate the story for each audience. Through performance they preserve language, poetic techniques and traditional values while keeping the narrative relevant to contemporary listeners. The tradition has historically depended on apprenticeship, with younger performers learning extensive repertoires and performance skills from established masters.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.org30311 EN.docUNESCO ICH30311-EN.docThe "Gorogly epic performers group" of Turkmenistan is concerned community with the nominated element. Its members…

The values embedded in the epic are repeatedly emphasised by both performers and cultural institutions. Bravery, honesty, friendship, fairness, hospitality and respect for others appear throughout the stories and are presented as ideals for community life. UNESCO specifically notes that the epic promotes these values while strengthening a sense of collective identity among its audiences.[UNESCO]unesco.orgTurkmen Epic Art of Gorogly | Intangible HeritageThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition that describes the achieve…

This role as a moral and cultural guide explains why the epic has often been described as an “oral encyclopaedia” of Turkmen life. It preserves memories of social customs, relationships, expectations and ideals that might otherwise be forgotten. Rather than recording exact historical events, it records what generations of people believed was worth remembering.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHFree, prior and informed consent of practitioners and…The Turkmen epic art of Gorogly is an outstanding creation and oral en…

Why Oral Performance Matters

The power of Gorogly lies partly in the fact that listeners experience it collectively. A performance is a social event where memory is shared, reinforced and renewed. Each telling connects audiences to earlier generations who heard the same stories, even when details differ.

This process helps explain why the epic remains influential in an age of television, film and the internet. Written texts can preserve words, but live performance preserves relationships between storyteller, audience and community. The epic therefore functions as a cultural bridge linking past and present.[UNESCO]unesco.orgTurkmen Epic Art of Gorogly | Intangible HeritageThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition that describes the achieve…

From Epic Tradition to National Symbol

Over time, Gorogly has moved beyond the world of oral storytelling and become one of the most visible symbols of Turkmen national culture. The hero’s name appears in monuments, place names and public commemorations. Official cultural institutions describe the epic as a national treasure and a key expression of Turkmen spirituality and heritage.[TDH]tdh.gov.tmepic gorogly epic heritage turkmen peopleThe hero is depicted on Turkmen manats, several monuments have been erected in his honor…

This transformation reflects a broader trend in which folklore becomes part of national identity. While the epic originated in oral tradition, modern Turkmenistan has increasingly presented it as a symbol of cultural continuity and historical resilience. The story serves both as a reminder of older traditions and as a statement about contemporary national identity.[TDH]tdh.gov.tmepic gorogly epic heritage turkmen peopleThe hero is depicted on Turkmen manats, several monuments have been erected in his honor…

Recognition by UNESCO strengthened this symbolic role. The 2015 inscription did not treat Gorogly as an ancient relic but as a living practice maintained by performers and communities. The emphasis was on safeguarding the tradition so that future generations could continue to perform, adapt and transmit it.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHEpic art of GoroglyThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition describing the achievements of the legendary hero Go…

The epic also continues to inspire new cultural works. Stage productions, musical performances and heritage programmes draw on Gorogly’s stories and characters, demonstrating that the tradition remains active rather than frozen in the past.[Turkmenistan Government]turkmenistan.gov.tmTurkmenistan Government The art of bakhshi will be reflected in a new theatricalernmentThe art of bakhshi will be reflected in a new theatrical…February 9, 2022 — 9 Feb 2022 — Dashoguz State Music a…Published: February 9, 2022

Why Gorogly Still Matters

Many countries possess famous heroic legends, but Gorogly occupies an unusually central place in Turkmen cultural life. It combines adventure, poetry, music and moral teaching in a single tradition that has survived for centuries through oral performance. The epic gives listeners memorable heroes, dramatic stories and ideals to admire, but it also serves a deeper purpose: preserving collective memory.

Its lasting importance comes from this dual role. Gorogly is both a story and a cultural institution. Through the hero and his forty companions, generations of Turkmens have expressed ideas about courage, justice, loyalty and community. As long as performers continue to sing the epic and audiences continue to recognise themselves within it, Gorogly remains not merely a legend of the past but a living expression of Turkmenistan’s heroic memory.[unesco.org]unesco.orgTurkmen Epic Art of Gorogly | Intangible HeritageThe epic art of Gorogly is an oral performing tradition that describes the achieve…

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Further Reading

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The Hero with a Thousand Faces

By Joseph Campbell

Helps readers interpret heroic epic structures.

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The Silk Roads

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Places epic traditions within Eurasian networks.

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Central Asia

By Adeeb Khalid

Provides historical context for Turkmen identity.

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The book of Dede Korkut

By Faruk Sümer, Warren S. Walker

First published 1972. Subjects: Translations into English, Turkish Epic poetry.

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Endnotes

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Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/epic-art-of-gorogly-01028

2. Source: unesco.org
Link:https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-4025

3. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: ICHDecision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 10.CO M 10
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions/10.COM/10.B.30

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Link:https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/24385.pdf

5. Source: ichlinks.com
Link:https://ichlinks.com/archive/elements/elementsV.do?elementsUid=13829896116578900041

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Title: Epic of Koroghlu
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_of_Koroghlu

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Title: 30311 EN.doc
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/30311-EN.doc

8. Source: tdh.gov.tm
Title: epic gorogly epic heritage turkmen people
Link:https://tdh.gov.tm/en/post/34195/epic-gorogly-epic-heritage-turkmen-people

9. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: · Watch videos · Key references · Follow UNESCO
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/video/31783

10. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: ritual and ceremonies of sebeiba in the oasis of djanet algeria 00665
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/ritual-and-ceremonies-of-sebeiba-in-the-oasis-of-djanet-algeria-00665?RL=00665&id=31783&include=film_inc.php

11. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: search 00795
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/search-00795?call=film&id=31783&include=film_inc.php&width=700

12. Source: ich.unesco.org
Title: 10b representative list 00779
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/10b-representative-list-00779?id=31783&include=film.inc.php

13. Source: youtube.com
Title: Epic art of Gorogly
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDtW7evOGT8

14. Source: arkadag-shaheri.gov.tm
Link:https://arkadag-shaheri.gov.tm/about-city/famous-personalities/103

15. Source: mfa.gov.tm
Title: Turkmenistan MFATURKMENISTAN
Link:https://mfa.gov.tm/en/unesco-tkm

16. Source: turkmenistan.gov.tm
Title: Turkmenistan Government The art of bakhshi will be reflected in a new theatrical
Link:https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/en/post/60733/art-bakhshi-will-be-reflected-new-theatrical-production-epic-gorogly

Published: February 9, 2022

17. Source: facebook.com
Title: UNESC O
Link:https://www.facebook.com/unesco/photos/turkmenistan-epic-art-of-goroglythe-epic-art-of-gorogly-is-an-oral-performing-tr/10153768261883390/?locale=fr_FR

18. Source: kazakhstan.tmembassy.gov.tm
Link:https://kazakhstan.tmembassy.gov.tm/en/news/660

Additional References

19. Source: turkmenistaninfo.ru
Link:https://www.turkmenistaninfo.ru/?elem_id=page_6%2Fmagazine_282%2F2325&lang_id=en&page_id=6&type=article

20. Source: ecieco.org
Title: Bagshy Music and Turkmen Storytelling A Vibrant Symbol of Nomadic Culture
Link:https://www.ecieco.org/en/article/145/Bagshy-Music-and-Turkmen-Storytelling-A-Vibrant-Symbol-of-Nomadic-Culture

21. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFSJ2n7zPeM

22. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR99BL6ljf8

23. Source: youtube.com
Title: Music of Central Asia Vol.4: Bardic Divas: Women’s Voices in Central Asia
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_QwBZkRXI8

24. Source: youtube.com
Title: Turkmen music
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMAJtPiuWpc