On 11 December 2025, during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi (India), a unanimous decision was made to include Turkmenistan’s nomination “The Art of Breeding the Turkmen Alabay” in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The decision was supported by all 24 committee members, based on the highly positive evaluation by independent experts and UNESCO’s evaluation body. This recognition highlights the uniqueness of the ancient Turkmen tradition, preserved for centuries by dog-breeding communities.
The nomination dossier was prepared by the Secretariat of Turkmenistan’s National Commission for UNESCO Affairs in collaboration with the International Association “Turkmen Alabai.” The process involved master dog breeders, breeder families, research scientists, and breed experts. UNESCO experts particularly noted this as an example of active involvement of tradition bearers, as well as the important role of women in preserving and transmitting knowledge.
The Committee highly appreciated Turkmenistan’s comprehensive measures to safeguard the element: state policy, cooperation with local authorities, NGOs, and communities. These efforts ensure the sustainability of the tradition and intergenerational continuity.
The Turkmen Alabay (Central Asian Shepherd Dog) is an ancient breed known for its powerful build: large head, flat forehead, small eyes, strong musculature, and large size. These dogs are valued for their loyalty, guarding qualities, and calm temperament. The breed has been preserved for centuries by nomadic and settled communities in Turkmenistan to protect livestock from predators.
Breeding and care involve people of all ages and genders, forming strong emotional bonds. Knowledge is transmitted within families, through mentorship, clubs, and centers.
The breed is associated with numerous customs: ceremonies for the birth and naming of puppies, the making of protective amulets. Alabais are a symbol of unity and cultural identity, often mentioned in art, poetry, and proverbs. In Turkmenistan, a national Alabay holiday is celebrated, and international competitions are held.
The current session reviewed 66 nominations from member states: 54 for the Representative List, 11 for the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and 1 for the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. The inclusion of the Turkmen tradition was one of the highlights, alongside the recognition of other elements such as Swiss yodeling or yurt-making traditions.
This achievement underscores Turkmenistan’s contribution to preserving global cultural diversity and strengthens international recognition of its national heritage.///nCa, 15 December 2025