Ruhnama

The Ruhnama, or Rukhnama, translated into English as Book of the Soul or Book of the Spirit, is a two-volume work written by Saparmurat Niyazov, the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 to 2006. The book explores the philosophical relationship between ethics and the success of states, using Turkmenistan as a case study. Turkmenistan is presented as a modern continuation of the historical Seljuk Empire, Oghuz Yabgu State, and other Turkmen-founded states. It offers an overview of Turkmen history, religion, and culture. The book was designed to serve as a form of state propaganda, emphasizing the foundations of Turkmen identity. The Ruhnama was introduced to Turkmen culture gradually but eventually pervasively. Niyazov first placed copies in the nation's schools and libraries but eventually went as far as to make an exam on its teachings an element of the driving test. It was mandatory to read Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organisations. New governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews. After Niyazov's death in December 2006, its popularity remained high. However, in the following years, its ubiquity had waned as President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow removed it from the public school curriculum and halted the practice of testing university applicants on their knowledge of the book.