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Also known as Book of the Soul, Rukhnama, Book of the Spirit

The Ruhnama, or Rukhnama, translated into English as Book of the Soul or Book of the Spirit, is a two-volume work written by Saparmurat Niyazov, the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 to 2006. The book explores the philosophical relationship between ethics and the success of states, using Turkmenistan as a case study. Turkmenistan is presented as a modern continuation of the historical nation-states of the Seljuk Empire, Oghuz Yabgu State, and other Turkmen-founded states. It offers an overview of Turkmen history, religion, and culture. The book was designed to serve as a form of state propag

Book · Open Library

Author
Saparmyrat Tu̇rkmenbashy
First published
2001
Editions
2
Subjects
Genealogy, History, Kings and rulers

via Open Library

Key facts

Book.name
Ruhnama
Book.italic title
Ruhnama
Book.image
Ruhnama cover.jpg
Book.caption
Cover
Book.author
Saparmurat Niyazov
Book.orig_lang_code
tk
Book.country
Turkmenistan
Book.language
Turkmen
Book.subject
Culture of Turkmenistan, Turkmen people
Book.publisher
Turkmen State Publishing Service

via Wikipedia infobox

~12 min read

Encyclopedic overview

16 sections
Contents
  • Background
  • Production
  • Genre
  • Contents
  • Volume 1
  • Volume 2
  • Society
  • Niyazov
  • Education
  • Berdimuhamedow
  • Translations
  • Media
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • External links

The Ruhnama, or Rukhnama, translated into English as Book of the Soul or Book of the Spirit, is a two-volume work written by Saparmurat Niyazov, the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 to 2006. The book explores the philosophical relationship between ethics and the success of states, using Turkmenistan as a case study. Turkmenistan is presented as a modern continuation of the historical nation-states of the Seljuk Empire, Oghuz Yabgu State, and other Turkmen-founded states. It offers an overview of Turkmen history, religion, and culture. The book was designed to serve as a form of state propaganda, emphasizing the foundations of Turkmen identity.

The Ruhnama was introduced to Turkmen culture gradually but eventually pervasively. Niyazov first placed copies in the nation's schools and libraries but eventually went as far as to make an exam on its teachings an element of the driving test. It was mandatory to read Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organisations. New governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Ruhnama” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.