Khuvdi (in Turkmen - «hüwdi») – a verse in a musical tone, which is a type of folk art, is mainly performed by mothers for their babies. Khuvdi is the cultural heritage of turkmen people, which contains advice-teaching in every line, the love of the turkmen mother for her child.

Khuvdi is mainly performed when the child falls asleep in the sallanchak (cradle) or on the mother's legs. By a magical and pleasant melody of khuvdi, the child falls asleep quickly and calmly. It will be true if we say that most of us grew up under a khuvdi. In every turkmen family, in a family where there is a child, the sounds of khuvdi are loud. Khuvdi can also be found in turkmen destans, in stories and narratives.

Khuvdi basically consists of four lines, additionally after these lines the words «huvva-huv, heyya-hey» are singing. Various sources say that the word “khuvdi” originated precisely from these choruses.

 For example, two different khuvdi (in turkmen language):

             * * *

Allan-allan alaýyn,

Sallançaga salaýyn,

Saňa gelen belany

Daga, daşa ýollaýyn

             * * *

Aýlanar-a, aýlanar,

Ökdelikde saýlanar,

Meniň balam ulalyp,

Söýenine öýlener.

The short meaning of the above khuvdi:

1st khuvdi. I put my baby in salanchak, if sadness comes, I will send it to the mountains and stones.

2nd khuvdi. The time will come - my baby will be literate, mature and marry his beloved.

As you can see, each of the lines contains a deep meaning, love, teaching, mother's wishes for the child.

Others can be read in the turkmen version of this publication by reference.

For questions please contact: info@turkmenportal.com