I find Turkmenistan to be one of the most intriguing countries you might never have heard much about. But there's a lot going on behind the scenes. This country sits in Central Asia, bordered by countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, but it’s different in many ways. What makes Turkmenistan really interesting are the layers of control, secrecy, and the extreme way life is managed there. The government keeps a close grip on things, and it's one of the most closed-off places in the world. If you're curious, let me share a few things I’ve learned.

Life Under Control

Living in Turkmenistan feels like being in a parallel universe. Everything seems carefully controlled, from the way people dress to how they communicate with the outside world. The government has put a ton of effort into building a certain image, but the reality for regular people is quite different. There's a huge contrast between the flashy marble buildings in the capital, Ashgabat, and the day-to-day life of most citizens.

• Access to outside information is tightly limited. The internet is heavily censored, with only government-approved content available.
• Traveling abroad is extremely restricted. Citizens have to go through layers of bureaucracy just to get permission to leave the country.
• Even conversations are monitored. People are often wary of speaking their mind, especially in public spaces, for fear of being reported to authorities.

In this atmosphere, you can imagine how carefully everyone must live. It’s not just about the government watching—it’s the unspoken pressure of being under constant scrutiny that shapes people’s daily lives. Every action or decision seems to carry a weight, and that adds up over time.

The Strict Traditions and Rules

Turkmenistan has a mix of modern authoritarianism and deep-rooted traditions. The country takes pride in its cultural heritage, and there's a huge emphasis on preserving traditional ways of life. But those traditions often blend with state control in ways that create a strange mix.

• Women are often expected to dress modestly, wearing long dresses and headscarves. This isn’t just cultural; it’s sometimes enforced in schools and workplaces.
• Public celebrations and gatherings are often controlled by the state. Large events usually have some level of government involvement or approval.
• Religion is tightly regulated. Even though Islam is the predominant religion, religious practice is closely monitored, with the government often placing restrictions on religious leaders and gatherings.

These practices keep society in a kind of bubble, where any deviation from the norm is immediately noticeable. People tend to stick to the rules, partly out of respect for tradition, but also because breaking them can have serious consequences.

The Weird Obsession With the President

The president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is more than just a political figure—he's everywhere. His face is on every building, his books are required reading in schools, and he’s involved in just about every aspect of public life.

• Berdimuhamedov is portrayed as a man of many talents. The state media often broadcasts videos of him doing things like riding a horse, playing sports, or performing surgeries. It feels like there's nothing he isn’t good at.
• Statues of the president, sometimes made of gold, are a common sight in public spaces.
• Citizens are often required to attend events where they show support for the president. Criticizing him is out of the question, and anyone caught doing so risks serious punishment.

The cult of personality around the president reaches bizarre levels, and it trickles down into everyday life. People learn early on to show respect for the leader, and that respect comes with certain expectations about how they behave and think.

Being a Gay Man in Turkmenistan

Life for LGBTQ people in Turkmenistan is incredibly hard. Homosexuality is illegal, and being found out as gay can have life-altering consequences. The stigma against gay men is severe, both legally and socially, and there’s a constant fear of being outed.

• Homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment, with sentences of up to two years in prison. The legal system offers no protection for LGBTQ people.
• Being open about your sexuality isn’t an option. Most gay men live double lives, pretending to conform to societal expectations to avoid suspicion.
• The fear of being reported is real. Neighbors, co-workers, or even family members might turn someone in, either out of fear for themselves or because they feel it’s their duty.

Living under these conditions means constantly hiding who you are, and that has a huge impact on mental health. The isolation, lack of community, and fear of punishment make life extremely lonely for gay men in Turkmenistan. There are no support networks or safe spaces, so everything happens underground, in secret.

Everyday Survival Tactics

Turkmenistan isn’t just tough for LGBTQ people—it’s hard for everyone. Getting through daily life involves a lot of careful maneuvering. People are cautious about who they talk to, where they go, and what they say. It’s a place where blending in and not drawing attention are survival tactics.

• People avoid political conversations, especially in public. Even in private, you have to be sure that the people you’re talking to are trustworthy.
• Bribery is often the only way to get things done. Whether it’s for travel permits, education, or even medical care, slipping someone cash under the table is a normal part of life.
• Social media is heavily restricted, and even accessing international websites can require a VPN, which is illegal to use.

Navigating through these restrictions means always thinking a few steps ahead. Turkmens are used to making the best of what they have, but the constant limitations wear on people.

The Facade of Wealth

When you first look at Ashgabat, the capital, it’s hard not to be impressed. The city is full of marble buildings, wide boulevards, and grand monuments. But that’s mostly for show. Outside the capital, life is much harder, and the wealth that you see in Ashgabat is out of reach for most people.

• While Ashgabat shines with opulence, rural areas lack basic infrastructure. Many villages don’t have access to clean water, reliable electricity, or proper healthcare.
• The country is rich in natural gas, but the wealth from that industry doesn’t trickle down to regular citizens. Most of it is controlled by a small elite close to the president.
• State projects, like building lavish hotels and government buildings, take priority over developing public services that would benefit everyday people.

This contrast between what the government shows the world and what life is really like speaks volumes. It’s a country full of untapped potential, but much of it is wasted on grandiose projects instead of improving the lives of its people.

A Country in Isolation

Turkmenistan’s self-imposed isolation affects every aspect of life. The country keeps its doors closed, and this creates a sense of distance not just physically but emotionally. People are cut off from the world, and even from each other in many ways.

• International travel is restricted, both in and out of the country. Citizens need government permission to leave, and visas for foreigners are hard to come by.
• The lack of internet access means that most people don’t know much about what’s going on outside their borders. Even news from neighboring countries can be hard to come by.
• State propaganda is the main source of information. The government controls all media, and the narrative is always in support of the president and his policies.

This level of isolation shapes how people think and live. The lack of outside perspectives makes it easier for the government to maintain control, and it keeps people focused on their own daily struggles rather than questioning the system.

So, there’s a peek into Turkmenistan. It’s a fascinating place, but definitely not an easy one. Life there is a constant balancing act of tradition, state control, and survival, and it’s hard to see things changing anytime soon.