Twas the Night Before Christmas-Peace Corps Turkmenistan Style

So I’ve been working at my new school for a few days now and the teachers want me to tell about Christmas in America and compare it to Turkmen New Year. Not having experienced a Turkmen New Year I was unsure what to do. So I found “The Night Before Christmas” online and read it to my teachers to help them get an understanding of a Christmas tradition. All of that got me thinking about spending my first Christmas in Turkmenistan and inspired me to re-write The Night Before Christmas with a Peace Corps Turkmenistan Twist. I hope you enjoy it. At the bottom there will be a list of new Turkmen words that I used for you all to learn. Here Goes!

 

Twas the Night Before Christmas-Peace Corps Turkmenistan Style

 

Twas the night before Christmas and all through my jay

Not a creature was stirring, except one pesky fly

My cheshkas were hung by the pitch with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

My family was asleep on the floor

When I snuck by on my way through the door

So I in my koynek got ready for bed

I rolled out my dushchek and laid down my head

 

When out on the lawn I heard such a clatter

I sprang from my dushchek to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash

I push open the bars and peeked through the sash

The dogs started barking and going insane

I knew there was no way I could go to sleep again

I looked down the road and what did I see

A stout old camel rounding the neighbor’s tree

On his hump there sat a driver with a pack so thick

I thought to myself “Is this the Turkmen St. Nick?”

 

Due to no snow on his camel he road

That old trusty camel had quite the large load

They rounded our jay to the gapy he came

On a closure look he appeared just the same

Saw red suit and a big huge belly

That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly

 

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He said not a word and went right to work

He filled up my cheskas and then turned with a jerk.

He handed me a letter and went on his way

I was dumbfounded and didn’t know what to say

I opened the letter to see what it said

With tears in my eyes this is what I read:

 

“Dear PCV we miss you this holiday season,

You’re not here, but it is with good reason.

You’re serving with peace in a land so far

Serving your country in a far away land.

Helping the people of Turkmenistan

You felt called to serve so to there you ran

We love you and pray that you are all right

Keep up the good work and have a good night.”

 

I look at the words and feel a surge of encouragement

I know that the letter is truly a God-Sent

As he mounted the camel I thanked him for the best gifts he could give

The greatest family and friends who had ever lived

He just smiled and drove the camel out of sight

And he exclaimed “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

 

 

Jay: Turkmen for House

Cheskas: Turkmen Socks

Pitch: Furnace

Koynek: Traditional Turkmen Dress

Dushcheck: Thin Mattress for sleeping

Gapy: Turkmen for Door