Magtymguly's birthday · Magtymguly Pyragy

Culture of origin: Turkmen · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran · Turkmen

Magtymguly Pyragy (c. 1724–1807), born in Turkmen Sahra, is the most famous figure in Turkmen literature; his poems on ethics, mysticism and the fate of his people called the Turkmen tribes to unite. He is buried beside his father at Aq Tuqay in Golestan province. A week of gatherings moves from Gomishan through Bandar Torkaman, Aq Qala, Gorgan, Kalaleh and Gonbad and ends at his tomb on 27 Ordibehesht, the day kept as his birthday, when crowds from the region gather there. The day has varied: in 2021 the ceremony was planned for 30 Ordibehesht, and in 1405 Mehr, a state news agency, reported that 21 Ordibehesht had been registered in the official calendar as Magtymguly Day, which no independent source confirms. Turkmenistan honours his poetry on 18 May and 27 June.