[Presenter:] "In accordance with the special decree of the president of Turkmenistan, Saparmyrat Turkmenbashy the Great, Good Neighbourliness and Harvest Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of November each year with great festivities. This double holiday proves that our God-blessed compassionate nation is a place of goodwill, kindness to each other and wellbeing. Dear viewers, may the holidays in our independent eternally neutral motherland be blessed under the shadows of our esteemed leader Saparmyrat Turkmenbashy the Great! Happy holidays!"
(Source: Turkmenistan Project)
The State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH) reports today a message from the current president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, with regard to the celebrations:
[Excerpts:] - "The holiday's root in ancient times, they reflect the people's national traditions. It is deeply symbolic that we celebrate two holidays on the same day -- Good Neighbourliness Day and Harvest Holiday. Harvest Holiday is a display of joy of the labour results, of a harvest grown by the sweat of one's brow, a display of the pride in the native land -- breadwinner, in the wellbeing and prosperity it gives. From ancient times the Turkmen follow the tradition: everything grown in one's own garden or vegetable garden, made at home or baked in a tamdyr, the very delicious things are first treated to the neighbours, and this tradition was called Gonshokara. The Turkmen's humanity, their desire to live in peace and concord with the neighbours, in friendship with them are mirrored in this remarkable holiday. The Turkmen rejoicing at a new harvest, and knowing its value, have been always holding bread in deep respect. The Turkmen will never betray the people once he has eaten bread at their home. Gonshokara unites and brings people together, makes them more kind, sincere." (25.11.07)
In Ruhnama, Saparmyrat Turkmenbashy the Great (the founder of the modern Turkmen state, first president of Independent Turkmenistan, and the book's author) writes:
The tradition of the Turkmens such as "komsu okara" is one of the nicest traditions. When a dish is cooked, it is deemed an ill-manner not to serve one to your neighbor. Neighbours always have a right in every cooked dish.Turkmenbashy shares some stories about the value of good neighborliness, such as:
It is of tradition to serve your neighbour milk of mouth when a camel or cow gives birth, vegetables and fruits that grow in your garden and the first buns that you cook in your tandir. Doing so increases abundance and subsistence of man.
In the basis of affluence, there lies the love, respect, consent and happiness of your neighbours. If wealth is supported with spiritual values, then, it turns into real wealth.
Ruhnama II, p. 166
Once a man wanted to sell his house. A client said:Kindness extends to foreign states as well. President Berdimuhamedov's message, as reported by TDH, includes the following:
- Sir, houses like this are sold for this and that price; your deal is very expensive. Better homes can be purchased for this price.
The person, trying to sell his house, said:
- My neighbours are good people; for this reason, my house is expensive.
Ibid., p. 173.
"The national traditions of good neighbourliness we consider a priority of the national policy, and it becomes apparent in the close and friendly relations with the neighbouring countries. It enhances more the international prestige of our state -- a peace maker endeavouring to ensure the tranquil and stable life for the peoples in the region and all over the world, and with it activates the key factors of intensifying and strengthening mutually advantageous co-operation with the neighbours.
"Numerous examples of the Turkmen's original qualities of character such as diligence, courage, endurance, respect for neighbours and aspiration for friendship are regarded worldwide as the national policy and the lofty purpose of the independent country."
This is in keeping with the Ruhnama wherein Turkmenbashy writes:
The State should make it a principle to make different nations respect each other, to share the happiness and sorrow of their neighbours and to foster mutual respect.Reflections on the Ruhnama extends good wishes to the Turkmen people on this important holiday.
Ruhnama II, p. 158
