Turkomans is a word referring to a Turkic people predominantly living in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The word is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /tʊrkəmænz/. The phonetic transcription reveals that the first syllable is pronounced as /tʊrk/, with the /r/ sound being emphasized. The middle syllable is pronounced with a schwa /ə/ sound. The spelling of the last syllable is /mænz/, with the /z/ sound indicating a plural form. Overall, the word Turkomans is spelled phonetically according to the English language.
Turkomans refer to a historically nomadic people of Turkic origin who predominantly resided in the regions of Central Asia and the Middle East. This term is derived from the combination of the words "Turk," representing their ethnic affiliation to the Turkic peoples, and "oman," which refers to "people" or "tribes" in various Turkic languages.
The Turkomans have a complex history, marked by their migration and settlement patterns across different territories throughout the centuries. They have been traditionally associated with horse breeding, herding, and trading activities, sustaining their semi-nomadic way of life.
At different periods, Turkomans established various tribal confederations and independent states, such as the Seljuks in Anatolia and the Timurids in Persia. They played a significant role in shaping the political landscape, participating in conflicts, and engaging in alliances and diplomatic relations.
Today, Turkomans are primarily found in Turkmenistan, a country located in Central Asia, where they constitute around 85% of the population. They also have significant communities in northern Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. These communities maintain their distinct Turkic traditions, cultural practices, and often speak Turkmen, a language belonging to the Turkic linguistic group.
The term "Turkomans" is used to describe both the historical Turkic tribes and the contemporary Turkmen people. It encompasses a diverse group of individuals with shared cultural heritage and common Turkic origins, representing an integral part of Central Asian and Middle Eastern history and society.
The word Turkomans refers to a Turkic-speaking ethnic group primarily residing in Central Asia, particularly in Turkmenistan and parts of Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. The etymology of the word Turkomans can be traced back to the terms Turk and Türkmän, which are both derived from the Old Turkic word Türük meaning child or descendant.
The original usage of Turk was to describe a specific group of Central Asian nomadic tribes. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a wider range of Turkic-speaking people. The suffix -män in Türkmän indicates the plural form, making it Turkomans or Turkmen. Hence, the word Turkomans essentially refers to Turkic people or people of Turkic origin.