In spring 2004, the government of Turkmenistan established one of the world’s more conservative dress codes for female students and teachers in the country’s schools. Both would be required to wear not only headscarves, but also long, flowing dresses — a style which tends toward the traditional end of the spectrum in the overwhelmingly Muslim country. The rules also include a ban on trousers, mini-skirts, low-cut blouses, and the like. In a manner befitting the nation’s totalitarian cult of personality, the rules stipulate that the clothing be “complemented” by a badge depicting the head of President Saparmurat Niyazov, also known as Turkmenbashi, the “father of all Turkmen.”