Should you’re planning to go to Turkey or are simply interested in this fascinating nation, I’ve a deal with for you. In my information, we’re about to uncover some traditions in Turkey you need to know to reinforce your expertise within the now very fashionable Republic of Turkey.
From the distinctive traditions which have roots within the Ottoman Empire’s wealthy historical past to on a regular basis customs and tradition. So, please seize a cup of Turkish tea, calm down, and let’s dive into the gorgeous world of Turkish traditions!
The wonderful thing about Turkey isn’t simply the landscapes, the seashores, and the pleasant folks, but it surely’s additionally in regards to the wealthy and engaging traditions and customs you’ll see carried out earlier than your eyes each single day.
Even within the extra touristy elements of the nation, such because the seaside resorts on the south coast, you’ll see small traditions that, when you’re undecided about, may simply go you by. It’s all the time attention-grabbing to study this stuff as a result of by understanding them, you’ll discover you’ve got a extra enriching expertise. And that’s what journey is all about, proper?
The opposite factor to notice is that completely different traditions and customs could be seen in numerous elements of the nation. As an example, within the southeast, you’ll discover a extra conventional lifestyle in comparison with the west of the nation, similar to Izmir. On this area, it’s commonplace to see folks consuming their meals on the ground as a giant group, whereas, within the west, this custom has died out a little bit.
That can assist you perceive extra about what you’re seeing whenever you subsequent go to the nation, let’s check out the widespread and not-so-common traditions and cultures in Turkey.
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1. The Evil Eye (Nazar)
You’ll see the evil eye in every single place and, particularly in memento retailers, but it surely’s greater than one thing fancy to stay in your fridge; it’s truly an important a part of Turkish tradition.
The evil eye is a brilliant blue glass eye that’s mentioned to guard you from destructive power, particularly envy. You may surprise why the colour blue. Nicely, it’s thought that extra destructive power is emitted from blue eyes than brown, and the glass materials is claimed to counteract the negativity and cancel it out.
You’ll see the evil eye hung above doorways to guard towards unhealthy luck, in addition to pinned to the garments of new child infants.
2. Know That Turkish Folks Take away Their Footwear
You may name it simply good manners, however eradicating your footwear earlier than you go into somebody’s home is customary in Turkey.
Not solely is it thought of impolite to not take away your footwear, but it surely’s additionally about cleanliness as a result of, in lots of circumstances, folks will pray inside their houses, and, as with a mosque, eradicating footwear is a key a part of this course of.
You ought to take away your footwear solely exterior the door threshold, and also you’ll normally be given a pair of slippers to put on. Nevertheless, I all the time discover it’s a good suggestion to have clear socks on – or in my bag if I’m not sporting socks that day.
3. Turkish Espresso (Turk Kahve)
Turkish espresso isn’t just like the common latte or cappuccino you is perhaps used to. It’s rather a lot stronger and earthier and is historically served in a tiny cup with no milk or sugar. Nevertheless, if you wish to add it, you may. Espresso doesn’t solely function a scrumptious drink; it’s additionally a cultural image.
When a household’s son is about to get married, it’s conventional for his household to go to the potential bride’s household residence and formally ask for her hand in marriage. Nevertheless, throughout this time, it’s additionally conventional for the potential bride-to-be to make Turkish espresso for her potential in-laws, and it’s a make-or-break!
The opposite extra well-known custom related to Turkish espresso is predicting the long run. As soon as the cup is empty, it’s turned the other way up onto the plate and left to chill. After a short time, you raise it and have a look at the patterns contained in the cup. It’s mentioned to foretell your future, and there’ll all the time be somebody in your group who can learn precisely.
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4. Turkish Tea (Çay)
There is no such thing as a means you may go to Turkey and never see or style tea at the least a couple of times. It’s extremely well-known, and (virtually) everybody drinks it all through the day. It’s historically served in a small glass, and it’s a darkish sort of tea, served with or with out sugar. You don’t add milk to Turkish tea – you’d get plenty of odd and probably outraged seems to be when you tried it!
Tea is taken into account an enormous a part of Turkish hospitality, as you’ll be supplied tea whenever you go to somebody’s residence or enterprise. It’s thought of impolite to refuse, so even when you’re not the most important fan, settle for it and drink it.
You’ll additionally see çay bahçesi, which interprets to ‘tea backyard.’ These are locations the place folks come collectively to take a seat, speak, and drink tea, normally for some time. In some areas, you’ll discover that solely males congregate in these areas, however in lots of giant cities today, it’s a mixture of women and men.
5. Automobile Horns
Turkey isn’t a quiet place, particularly when you’re in the course of a metropolis and there may be site visitors. Turkish drivers love to make use of their automotive horns for every thing and something. Nonetheless, they’re additionally used to rejoice one thing particular, similar to a marriage, a younger man going away for his army service, and even massive soccer wins!
On this case, you’ll hear automotive horns repeatedly till the convoy of vehicles passes – it’s loud, however roll with it.
6. Oil Wrestling
Sure, the primary time you see it, you’ll surprise what on earth is going on. I’m not going to lie: it does look a bit odd, however bear with it as a result of it’s a giant custom.
Oil wrestling is a very fashionable and historic sport that dates again to the times of historic Mesopotamia. Essentially the most well-known pageant is present in Edirne, and it’s been held yearly since 1362.
Mainly, fairly giant males will cowl themselves in oil and wrestle each other till one loses. A loss occurs when one man’s navel (stomach button) faces the sky – principally, he’s on his again. These matches can go on for some time – something as much as 40 minutes.
7. Sünnet (Circumcision)
Turkey is a Muslim nation, and that signifies that circumcision is a giant a part of conventional life. It’s thought of a major cultural and non secular observe in Islam and is usually carried out as a part of a spiritual custom.
All boys are circumcised in childhood (the precise age varies, relying upon the desires of the dad and mom and their state of affairs), and it marks their journey from boyhood to manhood.
The sünnet celebration takes place after the circumcision, and the younger boy wears a particular outfit and holds a scepter. In some circumstances, they sit at the back of an open-back automotive and drive across the locality with automotive horns beeping.
Nevertheless, not all younger boys have this; some have the process and rejoice with household in at residence.
8. Turkish Traditions For Weddings
Turkish weddings are massive affairs, and in lots of circumstances, they go on for days. The day earlier than the marriage itself, the kına gecesi (henna evening) takes place. That is when the bride and groom, their households, and different company all come collectively, and henna is utilized to the bride’s arms.
That is mentioned to symbolise blood and it’s to rejoice the bride changing into a girl.
Throughout this night, there may be plenty of dancing, after which the next day, the precise wedding ceremony takes place.
The ceremony itself is swift; there aren’t any vows like in European weddings, and as a substitute, the bride and groom each sit on white “thrones,” and when the officiator asks, they are saying “occasion,” which suggests ‘sure.’ On this case, they’re agreeing to marry each other. Then, they signal a e book, together with their witnesses, and the actual celebration takes place.
Cue the dancing!
9. Adaklık Kurban (Devotional sacrifice)
On the finish of Kurban Bayram, it’s conventional observe to sacrifice an animal (normally a goat) and divide the meat between poor communities within the space. That is notably widespread in rural and suburban areas and fewer seen in giant cities, particularly in vacationer areas.
Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless an important a part of the tradition. These sacrifices will also be used to mark different necessary occasions, similar to transferring home, getting a job, or celebrating a marriage.
10. Conventional Greeting Etiquette
As soon as you already know somebody comparatively properly, i.e., you’ve met just a few instances, you’ll discover that they greet you with a kiss on every cheek. This can be a conventional greeting; nonetheless, when you’re assembly for the primary time otherwise you’re not notably acquainted with each other, a handshake is the possible greeting.
You may even see males greeting one another by gently touching the aspect of their heads collectively on each side; it is a signal of respect.
You may also see folks greeting the aged barely otherwise. On this case, they are going to kiss the hand of the older individual after which contact the again of their hand to their brow. This can be a signal of respect as soon as extra, as respecting older folks is a vital a part of Turkish tradition.
11. Being Provided Cologne Or Sweets By Turks
Should you go into somebody’s home or their store and so they’re notably hospitable, you’ll be supplied sweets or lemon cologne. Should you’re supplied cologne, maintain out your arms after which rub your arms collectively till it soaks in.
It’s all the time clever to just accept sweets when you’re supplied them, as refusal may trigger upset.
12. Hammam – Turkish Tub
Cleanliness and hygiene are extraordinarily necessary, and visiting the hammam is a key custom relationship again to the Ottomans.
These are communal bathing areas the place you’ll obtain deep cleansing and physique scrubbing. Many hammams today are mixed-sex, however this isn’t all the time the case, so do test earlier than visiting.
Previous to the hammam, you’ll spend a short while within the sauna to sweat out impurities earlier than going into the primary bathing space and being scrubbed clear. You’ll then be given a towel or wrap to cowl your physique when you dry and calm down. At this level, it’s customary to be supplied a glass of çay.
13. Want Timber (Dilek Ağacı)
In some locations, you’ll discover giant bushes which can be coated in items of cloth tied to the branches. These are often called want bushes, and so they’re mentioned to be fortunate sufficient to convey your deepest wishes to life.
All it’s good to do is consider your want as you tie the piece of cloth to a spare department. These bushes are additionally must-have photographs in your assortment as they’re normally located on high of hills, and their branches blow within the breeze, together with all the desires folks have left behind.
14. The Celebration Of Hıdrellez
At Hıdrellez, folks rejoice the assembly of the 2 Prophets, Hıdır and İlyas, on 5 Could. This occasion can also be the start of spring and is the day when all nature wakes from its winter slumber.
To rejoice this present day, folks write their needs on a chunk of paper, after which at evening, they bury them below a rose tree. Alternatively, you may draw your want utilizing a small rock and create a picture within the soil. Through the night, fires are lit, needs are made, and other people take turns leaping on the hearth – rigorously, in fact.
Then, earlier than dawn the next morning, you might be supposed to gather your piece of paper from beneath the rose tree and throw it into the water, ideally a river or the ocean, and if not, you may burn it or depart it below the rose tree.
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15. Conventional Turkish Dancing
Conventional folks dances are completely different throughout the nation, and these are carried out in teams at weddings when younger males go to the military and every other celebration.A number of the most well-known sorts of dances are:
Halay
This dance is known and comes from the east and southeast of Turkey, in addition to central Anatolia. The dance begins slower after which step by step will increase in velocity to the beat of the drums and the kaval. This can be a massive group dance the place everybody stands in a line or circle, linking little fingers.
Hora
Originating from the Thrace space of Turkey, hora is a quick dance that round 5 folks normally carry out. On this dance, folks put on colourful costumes, and there may be loads of singing on the identical time.
Horon
The horon is a quick dance that comes from the Black Sea space, and it’s a little bit completely different from the opposite conventional dances you may see. Contributors put on black garments adorned with silver, and so they dance with their arms linked collectively. A musical instrument known as the kemençe is used.
Zeybek
Originating from western Anatolia, zeybek options dancers in colourful garments performing to a beat that goes from gradual to extraordinarily quick. The dance tells the story of braveness.
Kaşık Oyunu
Within the Mediterranean coastal area and central Anatolia, you may see this dance being carried out. It’s completely different as a result of members use wood spoons as their instrument of selection; nonetheless, additionally, you will hear the clarinet.
Atabarı
This dance comes from the Artvin space and was famously carried out by Ataturk in 1936. Lately, you’ll see this dance at necessary nationwide occasions.
Sema
That is the well-known dance you will note carried out by the Whirling Dervishes, and it’s a conventional Sufi dance
Wrap Up
As we wrap up our journey by means of the customs and traditions of Turkey, it’s clear that this nation, from Istanbul to Gaziantep, has a wealthy historical past and tradition not like wherever else on this planet.
From the tulip-shaped glasses of tea to the honk of the Turkish flag, Turkey’s traditions replicate its wealthy heritage. Whether or not you’re savoring a standard Turkish breakfast or witnessing the top of Ramadan in an area Turkish café, you’ll be immersed within the heat and hospitality of Turkish society.
The wonderful thing about traditions and cultures is that they’re continuously evolving. Some die out, and others change them, however an important ones all the time stick round. What traditions and customs have you ever seen whereas in Turkey? Perhaps you’ve received some new ones so as to add to the listing.
So, whenever you go to, don’t neglect to take off your footwear earlier than getting into, and be able to go and are available as a pal. Turkey’s customs and tradition will welcome you with open arms, providing an expertise that’s each distinctive and enlightening.