Turkmen dance kushtdepdi is a symbol of joy and happiness

One of the most important conditions for the harmonious and sustainable development of society is the preservation of the cultural heritage of mankind. The Turkmen are the oldest people of Central Asia, who have preserved to this day their language, religion, national costume, customs and aesthetic ideas, as well as a rich musical and poetic heritage. The central genre in the folklore heritage of the Turkmen is the “Kushtdepdi song and dance ritual”, listed as an outstanding example of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage. The oldest genre traces its origins to the pagan rituals of its ancestors. In the twentieth century, the ritual action was transformed and acquired a new meaning, being used as a talisman. The purpose of the article is to describe the origins of the origin, the stages of evolution, as well as the current state of the song and dance ritual. To this end, the authors analyzed the musical and poetic structures underlying “Kushtdepdi”, and also described the features characteristic of various parts of the sacred cycle. In fact, this study is the first attempt at a scientific understanding of the song and dance ritual, taking into account its historical transformation and structural and compositional features. The study of the musical heritage of the people and the knowledge of the origins of their culture contributes to the understanding of many moments of the history and destinies of different ethnic groups and generations.