Oghlan Bakshi: The Bardic Traditions of Turkmenistan

The Center for World Music presents The Bardic Traditions of Turkmenistan at the La Jolla Community Center.

Step into the ancient musical world of Turkmenistan with Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad, known by the honorific Oghlan Bakhshi, roughly translated as “prodigious child bard.” In this rare solo performance, he brings to life a centuries-old tradition of dutar (two-string lute) playing and bardic singing passed down through generations of nomadic storytellers. His strumming evokes the galloping rhythms of horses across the steppes, while his guttural vocal ornamentation conveys the full range of nomadic emotions—from love and longing to sorrow and heroic struggle.

Oghlan Bakhshi vividly animates epic tales of romance, bravery, and resilience, offering audiences a rare glimpse into a musical heritage seldom heard outside Central Asia, where history, nature, and oral storytelling are inseparably intertwined.

Following the performance, audience members will have the opportunity to engage with the artist in a Q&A session, gaining a deeper insight into Turkmen musical traditions and culture.

More information at https://centerforworldmusic.org/event/bardic-traditions-of-turkmenistan-oghlan-bakhshi/