Geography of the Location of the Turkmen Clans

Abstract

The ethnographic landscape of Uzbekistan is deeply influenced by the diverse tribal formations within the Uzbek people, among which the "Uzbek Turkmen-Yuz" holds a significant historical and cultural role.

The Turkmen-Yuz tribes, particularly the Nurata Turkmens, have long inhabited regions such as Samarkand, Jizzakh, Navoi, and parts of Tashkent, representing a unique socio-ethnic group within the Uzbek nation. While some scholars have categorized them under broader Oghuz or Seljuk legacies, detailed territorial and genealogical studies remain limited.

 Existing literature often lacks systematic geographic and genealogical mapping of the Turkmen-Yuz, particularly the differentiation of sub-groups such as the Nurata, Syrdarya (Zomin), and Hisori Turkmens, and their localized ethnonyms and migration narratives.

 This study aims to identify and geographically contextualize the major branches of the Uzbek Turkmen-Yuz, clarify their internal classifications, and document oral histories that preserve their identity across regions.

 The research reveals that Turkmen-Yuz populations are spread across dozens of villages with distinct clan structures (e.g., Qonjigali, Bogajili, Oytamghali, and Burboy), sustaining traditional livelihoods such as animal husbandry and craftsmanship, and preserving oral legends that trace their historical displacement.

The study combines archival sources with extensive fieldwork and oral histories, offering a rare integrative view of tribal geography and ethno-cultural continuity among the Uzbek Turkmens.

 This work provides critical insights for ethnographic scholarship, local cultural preservation, and the deeper understanding of tribal identity within broader national narratives in Central Asia.