Galla Bayramy
In Turkmenistan, Galla Bayramy is a public holiday observed annually on the third Sunday in July. The name of this holiday translates to “Celebration of the Wheat Harvest,” and, as its name suggests, it is a day that honors the agricultural workers of the country. Although cotton is Turkmenistan’s number one cash crop, wheat cultivation is also extremely important for the country.
Turkmenistan (Observance)It is also a symbol of the nation’s prosperity. During this holiday, numerous expos, scientific forums, agricultural conferences, and art exhibitions are held. Of course, that is only a sampling of some of the events that take place. We will talk about the rest below.
The History of Galla Bayramy in Turkmenistan
Although we are unable to uncover the origins of Galla Bayramy, we do know that for hundreds of years, bread has been revered in Turkmenistan. It is seen as a sign of well-being and prosperity and has literally kept the country fed.
The Celebration of the Wheat Harvest embodies those beliefs and reminds people of the value of bread on their table. It also encourages people to honor the agricultural workers who provide the wheat for those loaves of bread and contribute not only to the health of individual citizens but also to the health of the nation.
Facts About Wheat
Since wheat is not only at the heart of Galla Bayramy but also central to Turkmenistan, we thought we would take a few moments to share some interesting facts about wheat below. We think most people will find these facts quite entertaining and, hopefully, quite educational.
- Wheat is a member of the Poaceae family. This family of grasses also includes other cereal grasses, bamboo, and pasture grasses.
- The crop’s kernel is known as a caryopsis.
- The top 5 wheat producers in the world are China, India, Russia, the United States, and France.
- Turkmenistan was traditionally a wheat importer, but in 2010, they began exporting wheat to the rest of the world.
- It is expected that Turkmenistan will be able to maintain wheat export levels of 200,000 to 400,000 tons annually over the next 20 years, despite an increase in population.
Observing Galla Bayramy in Turkmenistan
On this day, a variety of events are held across the country. There are horse races, sporting events, parades, festivals, fairs, and many other activities for the local population to enjoy.
Of course, there is also plenty of food, including Shurpa, Shashlyk, Chorek, Kovurma, and Gutap. The hashtag #GallaBayramy can be used on social media to spread the word about this holiday.
Turkmenistan (Observance)
