Top 15 Strangest Laws in the United States - Zippia Oh, Turkmenistan how we overlook thee. In 1994 a plebiscite extended Niyazov's term to 2002 so he could oversee a 10-year development plan. Other laws were merely based on the whim of a president with full power and control. Sadly, thanks to the Licensing Act 1872, it's also illegal and could land you a 200 fine and almost a year in jail. Saparmurat Niyazovs cult of personality and leadership was used as a base for the film, The Dictator.. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: A complex visa regimen makesTurkmenistan one of the least visited countries in the world. Apparently, lip syncing was not an activity held in high esteem by Niyazov. If we were asked why a plane flies to Turkmenistan, we would say it is because of the buoyancy force. [92] By 2011, Berdimuhamedow's government rescinded the requirement to pass a secondary-school examination on the book[93] and in 2014, it was finally declared that Turkmenistani universities would no longer test applicants on their knowledge of the book. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. One of the many strange rules established by Niyazov in 2004 was that young men were forbidden to have a beard or long hair. The President of Turkmenistan visited the site in 2010 and ordered it to be filled in. It was not changed or repealed by Berdymukhamedov. There isn't much more we can say about this. According to the state-run newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan, the President has orderedhis Cabinet ministers to find a way to close theearthlygates of hell. Turkmenistan is a country in central Asia, with a population of just under six million and plentiful gas reserves. Thank you for sharing your adventures. For this reason, there are also a number of car washes on the outskirts of the city so that people can have their cars cleaned before entering the city. The Turkmen Agricultural University is named after him, as is the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute. In 2008, less than two years after Niyazov's death, the names of months and days of the week changed by Niyazov were restored,[90] and reference in the National Anthem of Turkmenistan to Niyazov was replaced with "the people". This meant that anyone living in rural areas had to travel across the country to get medical care (which is vaguely the size of California). Photo: Narendra Modi Youtube Channel. The country stands as one of the most repressed countries of the world, with a one-party government and President Berdymukhamedov's dictatorship style of working. It declared independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkmen are descendants of the ancient Oghuz communities that migrated to the region around the seventh century. America's Strangest 15 Laws. It has however become a member of Interpol. Besides the opera, he also banned ballet and, famously, the circus. Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov (Russian: ; Turkmen: Saparmyrat Ataewi Nyazow[a]; 19 February 1940 21 December 2006), also known as Trkmenbay[b], was a Turkmen politician who ruled Turkmenistan as a dictator from 1985 until his death in 2006. Telpek, a large sheepskin hat worn by men is one of the signs of the nomadic tradition. During his time in office, he banned the act of lip syncing at public concerts as well as at public celebrations. The highest of all honours. In 2013, seven years after Niyazovs death, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the removal of Ruhnama from all public schools. Enjoy these Turkmenistan facts that don't seem true, but strangely, they are. Niyazov said: Let this humane act on the part of the state serve strengthening truly moral values of the Turkmen society. One can only theorize that he wanted all of the men of his country to follow suit and resemble him. The Darwaza Crater or The Hell's gate. He also granted official human rights to the people, though they were not respected in practice with his government being criticised as one of the worst human rights violators in the world. However, next time you're trying to remember how to distinguish Turkmenistan, just think of these strange yet riveting facts about the country. Always works out, somehow. Some Turkmen opposition sources also claim that Niyazov died several days before the officially announced date of 21 December. Turkmenistan weird laws "Perhaps we have enough for a ring," he pondered, "or maybe earrings. This Central Asian country between Kazakhstan, Iran and a vast desert has been ruled for 15 years by a dictator with really bizarre laws. 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November 2002, Ashgabat", "The Revocation of Dual Citizenship in Turkmenistan", "Short resume maintained by Reporters Sans Frontires", "Turkmen Doctors Pledge Allegiance To Niyazov", "When a Kleptocratic, Megalomanacal Dictator Goes Bad", "Transformations in Turkmen higher education: current opportunities and challenges at a new university", "Read My Words, Go to Heaven, Leader Says", "Turkmenistan: The Personality Cult Lives On, Residents Take It In Stride", "Turkmenistan: Ending the Personality Cult", U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, "Two candidates named for Turkmen presidency", "Mausoleum with Saparmurat Niyazov's burial-vault to open to public after third day of mourning | Turkmenistan.ru", " ", "Envoy Attends Funeral of Turkmenistan's Late President", "Chinese envoy attends funeral of Turkmenistan's late president", "Visit of Prof. Saifuddin Soz,Union Minister of Water Resources to Turkmenistan to attend the state funeral of H.E. Illustration: Seemon. 60 Weird Laws Around the World By Lissa Poirot and Brittany Alexandra Sulc, updated on February 7, 2023 Getty Images Every country is different, and every country's laws are different. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow took power of Turkmenistan in February 2007, succeeding Saparmurat Niyazov. The country produces sweet, juicy melons, for which it has even created a special day. In 2013,Turkmenistan'scapital city Ashgabat entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest number of white marble buildings in the city. All Rights Reserved - PRIVACY POLICY. You`re wrong. He renamed the town of Janga and city of Krasnovodsk after his nickname Trkmenbay, and renamed schools, airports, Ashgabat streets, and even a meteorite after himself and members of his family. [28] By 2005, there were 36,000 Internet users in Turkmenistan, representing 0.7% of the population. After learning all these Turkmenistan facts its clear to see that this little unknown country deserves to be on anyones travel bucket list. In late 2020, teachers in Turkmenabat, the country`s second largest city, were banned from dyeing their lighter hair. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel. Today we are going to look at 20 facts about this little unknown country. "Niyazov's dental crackdown is the latest in a series of follies and caprices . [31] All libraries outside of the capital were also closed, as Niyazov believed that the only books that most Turkmen needed to read were the Qur'an and his Ruhnama. Could you imagine enforcing this law in the U.Sor India? : r/todayilearned No more than 2 packets of 20 cigarettes per person, 2 cigars and 2 packets of loose tobacco not weighing more than 2 packets of cigarettes can be imported. The book is supposed to orbit earth for the next 150 years. President of Turkmenistan - Wikipedia Good to know, right? Niyazov promoted a policy of strict neutrality in foreign affairs, refraining from seeking membership in NATO or GUAM and almost ignoring the CSTO. This bizarre law states that "Any person may possess any number of live frogs to use in frog-jumping contests, but if such a frog dies or is killed, it must be destroyed as soon as possible, and may not be eaten or otherwise used for any purpose." To be fair, this is another weird law that does make sense. It was not amended or repealed by Berdymukhamedov. For many in the west, it's hard to keep the countries of Central Asia straight, no matter how fascinating and unique each one may be. It is one of those dishes that you will see everywhere, from family picnics to wedding celebrations. [35] On 19 March 2007 Turkmenistan's new president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow reversed Niyazov's decision by restoring pensions to more than 100,000 elderly citizens.[36]. A Turkmen could easily leave the gas on so as not to waste a match in the light later! Since 1993, thanks to Niyazov`s initiatives, all Turkmen citizens have had free access to gas, water and electricity. In 1970, Soviet scientists drilled for natural gas, but their devices accidentally fell into the abyss, causing a natural gas leak. Failure to do this would lead to the destruction of the mosque. From a burning gas crater (Darvaza) known as the Gates of Hell, to the Abandoned Capital City of Ashgabat (which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest marble city in the world), Turkmenistan is full of surprises. In keeping with the predominantly Islamic nature of Turkmen society, President Niyazov granted pardons each year on the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) in the month of Ramadan. Prior to being moved to the village, Niyazov's body lay in state in an open coffin in the presidential palace from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. For these, and other reasons, the US government said that by the time he died, "Niyazov's personality cult had reached the dimensions of a state-imposed religion."[74]. This one is still on the books but not enforced. President Niyazov got the statue of Ruhnama made and installed at the capital city of Ashgabat. Nearly half a century later, the fire is still burning. Interesting Histories: Saparmurat Niyazov The Real General - Medium He was arrested after swearing on stage during a performance. Another ban in the vein of it's un-Turkmen. No one we spoke to seemed to know much about this rule. m). Transfixed in Turkmenistan | Sophie's World Travel Inspiration In 2016, 6,000 tourists visited Turkmenistan. The crater burns continuously in the desert, creating the impression of the gates of hell. Turkmenistan Weird Laws - inled.info [25] Individually, Niyazov's father was awarded the honorary title of Hero of Turkmenistan in 1994 and in 2004, a division of the Turkmen Ground Forces was renamed after Atamyrat Nyazow. The view is awe-inspiring at night as the flames light up against the pitch darkness of the desert. However, the rule of no public smoking is enforced. Cars that are not white are forbidden from the streets of Ashgabat, the non-white vehicles taken from the owners as hostages and forcibly painted white no matter what. During the second Sunday of August every year, every person in the country is advised to eat melons grown in the country. Kids in Turkmenistan get to horse training centres at a young age to become horse trainers. It's illegal to skateboard without a skateboarding license. Niyazov was also once quoted as saying that God himself told him that anybody who will read the book will directly enter heaven. Turkmenistan is the only country in the world that has been recognised asneutral by the United Nations. 20. Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. 5. When he tried to quit, he instigated this ban so as to eliminate temptation from people smoking on the street. That's why you need to know about some of the weirdest laws that you might break completely by accident. Someone, at some point, did something so nutty that people felt compelled to make it illegal. And by 1985 he was already First . 15 Weird and Crazy Laws Around the World Young cant grow beards, no black cars, a record-breaking fascination for setting world records are some of the weirdfacts about Turkmenistan. Currently, there are following codes: Civil Code of Turkmenistan. Dubbed as the North Korea of Central Asia, Turkmenistan is ranked as one of the hardest countries to enter, with strict visa applications requiring assistance from tour agencies and a guide. He banned the reporting and even mentioning of. Why is he so memorable, you may ask? There are no laws in Turkmenistan; There is only the will of the Fhrer. After Niyazov's death, his successor as president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, began to remove some eccentric features of Niyazov's personality cult. Between 2002 and 2008, the days of the week and months of the year were renamed to Turkmen National Symbols. His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. Modern Turkmen continue to associate themselves with the five original clans. TIL that in Turkmenistan, colors themselves are considered state You may be wondering if the Turkmen president is crazy? Those of you whose teeth have fallen out did not chew on bones. He took the name for bread. Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. [62] He accused the minister of incompetence and declared: "I cannot say that you had any great merits or did much to combat crime. According to some reports, he felt presenters should "appear natural" on-screen. In 1998 Niyazov closed the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. It is nearly incomprehensible that a desert place can produce melon, but some of the best melons in the world are grown in Turkmenistan. Some of the first strange laws that were introduced occurred under Turkmenistan`s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. Larger than any law, it illuminates the path of the Turkmen like the sun. 27 interesting facts about Turkmenistan - The Facts Institute Turkmenistan Laws: What's Real and What's Urban Myth? - Uncornered Market January? But occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. and talks with Tajik opposition leader. ONE OF THE LEAST VISITED COUNTRIES A complex visa regimen makes Turkmenistan one of the least visited countries in the world. Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. Newly issued Turkmenistani manat banknotes did not feature his portrait. [32], In January 2006, one-third of the country's elderly had their pensions discontinued, while another 200,000 had theirs reduced. Within mosques, it was to be treated the same as the Quran. September? Here are some that Saparmurat Niyazov has implemented. Every second Sunday in the month of August is celebrated as the National Melon Day by the people. For the city in Daoguz Province, see. Why Are the Cayman Islands an Offshore Financial Haven? Speaking of cities, their capital city is bizarre and made out of marble Many buildings in Ashgabat are reminiscent of old Soviet blocks, except made of marble. [79] Many mourners, including foreign delegations, passed by the coffin in a three-hour period. Keep your passport separately in a safe place. However, be sure never to do it in Louisiana. There is also a National Carpet Museum in Ashgabat with more than 1,000 carpets on display. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: 1. Spending 3 Days in The World's Strangest City - YouTube "[9], Under his rule, Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. Unlike other Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan under Niyazov put emphasis on the country's sacrifice during the Second World War. Turkmen rules are getting even weirder. Berdimuhamedow and the Halk Maslahaty announced on 26 December 2006 that the next presidential elections would be held on 11 February 2007 to elect Niyazov's successor. He also made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. Berdimuhamedow also trimmed official references to Niyazov's biographical book, Ruhnama, in Spring 2007, and around 2009-10, television broadcasts of Ruhnama stopped. A difficult visa process is one of the reasons behind the low numbers. What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? [66] Niyazov claimed those who read it thrice were destined for heaven. All foreign visitors, with the exception of accredited diplomats, are charged a tourism tax of 2 US dollars for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. INLED His renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, to Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events,[22] family members and himself was an unexpected development. Saparmyrat Ataewi Nyazow or Turkmenbashi [wiki] (1940 - 2006)After the USSR broke up in 1991, the Soviet Republic of Turkmenistan became an independent nation but had no identity of its own. [33][34] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan strongly denied allegations that the cut in pensions resulted in the deaths of many elderly Turkmens, accusing foreign media outlets of spreading "deliberately perverted" information on the issue. E INLED lo sa. However, President Berdymukhamedov is now planning to close Hell's Gateciting negative effects on the environment. I love following your travels. Possession and use of drugs is illegal. There is no shortage of natural beauty and places to visit in Turkmenistan, but a shrewd visa regime hinders the growth of the tourism sector. He banned men from having long hair or beards, banned opera, banned city dogs, and even renamed the days and months of the year after his family members. There was outside concern about press freedom and to a lesser extent religious rights of minority religious groups. Google Maps. This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. Press freedom under Niyazov's leadership was much criticised as it was with other former Soviet central Asian states. Turkmenistan News/ Archiv Saparmurat Niyazov's (in English), Ruhnama Book by Turkmenbashy (online in English), Transcript of 2004 profile on news program, 28th Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saparmurat_Niyazov&oldid=1152487197, Members of the Central Committee of the 27th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Members of the Central Committee of the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Members of the Politburo of the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, First secretaries of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan, Democratic Party of Turkmenistan politicians, Recipients of the Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, Recipients of the Order of Friendship of Peoples, Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University alumni, Heads of government of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, Articles with dead external links from January 2023, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from June 2016, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Russian-language text, Articles containing Turkmen-language text, Articles needing additional references from April 2022, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2022, Articles needing additional references from December 2008, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Articles with Turkmen-language sources (tk), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Niyazov declared Turkmenistan a "neutral state" and said that the country would not participate in any. "The Golden Man: Saparmurat Niyazov's Reign of Insanity". Turkmenistan, a land-locked country, is the least densely populated countryinCentral Asia. The first, Niyazov, ruled for 15 years and called himself the "President for Life". The following is reprinted from Uncle John's Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader. One of outgoing President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov`s most bizarre laws is that you can`t have black cars in the capital, Ashgabat. In 1998, President for Life Niyazov ordered the construction of a "monument to neutrality" at the cost of $12 million dollars. 7) Thou shalt not name thy children strangely. The country has a population of about 5.6 million, making it one of the least populous and sparsely populated states in Asia. Lots of wacky laws have been written over the years, and they were all written for a reason. Turkmenbashi inhaled. Turkmenistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on October 27, 1991. John Oliver's deep dive into the president of Turkmenistan - Mashable Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the most public pools in a single place. Contact us. Turkmenistan, since 1991, was ruled by President Saparmurat Niyazov until December 20, 2006, when he died of a heart attack. Turkmenistan has not participated in any United Nations peacekeeping missions. It serves as a meeting point between East and West. Seychelles, Sierra Leone . This wonderful land is with a lot of quirks, but it`s also a place you probably didn`t know much about before reading this article. The capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, resembles a blend of Pyongyang and Las Vegas due to its fountains, boulevards, statues, and white buildings. Friday was renamed after her, too. At the same time, he closed all libraries outside the capital because people in the countryside could not read. 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan You have accepted additional cookies. No more than 2 packets of 20. The incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was his successor and hasruled asthe dictator-President of Turkmenistan since then. It is a cultural sign of appreciation for a family to offer guests a plate of plov whenever they visit. It was formerly known as Turkmenia. Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Turkmenistan - Unusual Traveler As usual when I can't decide, I choose both. People say that subsidized mortgages are also available to teachers and doctors, but I couldn`t find a teacher who would confirm this to me. "Head of General Staff of Turkmenistan accused in participation in November 2002 plot | Turkmenistan.ru", "Assassination Attempt A Response To Niyazov's Authoritarian Policies", "A failed coup after all? This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. Because Niyazov named no successor prior to his death, according to the law of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, wezgeldi Ataew, the Chairman of the Assembly, would assume the presidency.