Since this area has very little rainfall in the winter and none in the summer, they are forced to stay close to water sources. The Turkmen are basically organized into tribal confederations each with its own territory. The largest descent group is the tribe, then the clan, then the family. Members of a tribe are bound by a strong sense of family loyalty. Tribal identity is reinforced by the fact that the Turkmen will only marry within their tribes.
Arranged marriages are common, and families often intermarry to preserve wealth.
Each tribe speaks its own dialect of the Turkmen language. Their society has never been marked by strong political leaders or tribal chiefs. It is male-dominated, with senior members of the family holding considerable authority. Within each family, sons must be obedient and respectful to their fathers. The subordination of women is even greater, distinguishing them as second-class citizens.