koynek- traditional dress worn by Turkmen women
yalyk- the head scarf Turkmen women wear
yakka- embroidery work done on koyneks
tickinchi- seamstress
tahiya- traditional skull cap worn by Turkmen students
talpek- the big wooly hat worn by old Turkmen men
dayza- a middle-aged/old Turkmen woman
dushak- thin, fold-up mat used for sleeping on the floor
welayat- region, the closest approximation in America is a state.
Ahal- one of the five welayats, the most “Turkmen” of them and where Ashgabat is located, though technically Ashgabat is considered separate and the regional capital of Ahal is Anew.
Balkan- my welayat, it borders the Caspian and is home to the foreign oil companies. Balkanabat is the capital, though Turkmenbashi is bigger.
Dashoguz- the poorest of the welayats, home of historical site Koneurgench and a large Uzbek influence. Dashoguz City is the capital.
Lebap- another welayat with a large Uzbek influence. Turkmenabat is the capital.
Mary- the fifth welayat, home of the historical site Merv. Mary City is the capital.
allajah- talisman used to ward off the evil eye. These take many forms: bracelets, necklaces, pins (these are all worn by both genders, though men typically opt for the bracelet), camel hair ropes put in cars (wound around the steering wheel, side mirrors, headrests or lain across the top of the dashboard), pendants hung in households.
dukon- a small store with groceries and a few other items like toilet paper and light bulbs