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Turkmen houses are all carpeted and no shoes are allowed in the house. Traditional slippers called cheshkalar are worn instead.
Even today, in many Turkmen households one will find artifacts and traditional items such as small decorative carpets or figures from famous Turkmen stories.
Small boys and girls, and more and more older students wear traditional hats called "borek". The government requires students to wear borek in the schools and universities. Jewelry is very popular in Turkmenistan and women tend to wear much gold, platinum, and silver. Fake "broshkalar" can be purchased as a souvenir at any bazaar.
Folklore dancers dressed in traditional clothes. Certain traditional styles have been revived for modern wear. Many elementary and high school students are required to wear the traditional-style uniforms.
Modernized versions of traditional Turkmen dress are very popular in Turkmenistan today and encouraged by the government in order to encourage the development of a national identity.
"Yakalar" are decorations embroidered onto the dresses. Different designs and colors correspond to the different regions of Turkmenistan.
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