Aba Annaýew

As mentioned in Ruhnama, a treaty about the Turkmen national identity written by Saparmyrat Nyýazow, first president of Turkmenistan, taking care of horses is a virtue of the Turkmen people. During the presidency of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the importance of this virtue greatly increased within the national narrative^[1] and was embodied by Aba Annaýew, the president's great-uncle.

Little is known about his life. Current officials portray Aba Annaýew as a jockey and "master breeder" of Ahalteke horses.^[2] It is said that he actively preserved the "purity" of the species, contributed to developing Turkmen equestrian art, and transmitted it by forming new generations of breeders.^[3]

Although the truthfulness of Aba Annaýew's contribution to the Turkmen people is questionable, his name was given to several places throughout the country, mostly around Aşgabat and places of power:

• Aba Annaýew, previously known as Çüli or Gökdere, a village then a town (since 2023) in Kärizek District near Arkadag.^[2][4]
• Aba Annaýew International Horse Breeding Academy, a research center in Arkadag.^[5]
• Streets in Aşgabat, in Arkadag.

As an equestrian center was unveiled in 2016 in the village named after Aba Annaýew, RFE/RL for Turkmenistan asked: "Does anyone know anything about Aba Annaýew and his contribution to equestrian disciplines?"^[6] Geldi Kärizow, former head of the Turkmenistan Equestrian State Association, notes there are "more worthy jockeys."^[6]