New Life Order In Turkmenistan

In the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan, a new order for life-span has been decreed in which no one should be considered old before the age of 85--well beyond the life expectancy of the average citizen.

According to the edict issued by Turkman President Saparmurat Niyazov and published in the national newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan" in mid August, life is divided into 12-year cycles.

The edict says that childhood lasts until age 12. Next comes adolescence which will not last to age 25. Turkmen aged between 25 and 37 are considered youthful, while those aged between 27 and 49 years are mature. The next 12-year cycles are divided into periods labeled as prophetic, inspirational and wise.

Niyazov, who turned 62 this year, would be in his inspirational period.

Old age begins at age 85, while Turkmen who reach age 97 enter a period named for Oguzkhan, considered the founder of the Turkmen nation, who died at age 109.

According to the World Health Organization, the average life expectancy at birth for Turkmen men is 60; it is 65 for women.

Niyazov has built an elaborate cult of personality in his impoverished former Soviet republic, with cities and a meteorite named after himself and his portrait gracing the currency and nearly all public buildings. Last week, he proposed that months of the year be renamed, including January, which he said should be named after him.

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Khorsheed.com - Sep 2002