Turkmen scientists are taking part in a large-scale ethnographic expedition titled "Greater Altai: Turkic Heritage," which commenced today across the Altai Krai and the Altai Republic.

According to Gorno-altaisk.info, the research team, formed under the "Greater Altai" Scientific and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies at Altai State University, includes ethnographers and scholars from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Gorno-Altaisk State University is serving as a co-organizer of the expedition.

The field researchers will study the rich culture, traditions, and everyday life of indigenous ethnic groups, including the Kumandins, Chelkans, Tubalars, Altaians, and Telengits.

Ivan Nazarov, head of the expedition, emphasized the historical significance of the initiative:

"It is extremely important that many modern Turkic-speaking peoples of the Greater Altai and Central Asia continue to regard the Altai as their historical homeland. Ethnography allows us to trace these deep connections through cultural patterns preserved in household management, dwellings, clothing, food, social relations, kinship terminology, and spiritual beliefs. This shared heritage makes our project compelling for scholars across different nations. This year's expedition features our most international team to date, uniting scientists from five countries."

The expedition's itinerary begins in the city of Biysk before moving into the Turochak District of the Altai Republic to study indigenous minority communities. The research team will subsequently continue its field work in the Ust-Kan and Ust-Kosa districts.