Turkish Culture and Traditions

10:08 AM architecture , Culture , Kissing hands , lokum , Norms , oil wrestling , sweets , Traditions , travel , Turkish , Turkish hamams , Turkish national sports 0 Comments

Turkey has always been among the most important geographical points in history. One of the earliest civilizations developed in this Anatolian peninsula (about 1000 BC), consequently this cradle of civilization has richness in its culture and diversity in its traditions. Here are a few aspects as a must-know of this exceptional heritage:

El Opmek

Kissing the hands of elderly as a sign of respect and giving honor is a very old tradition in Turkey, it was followed by the Sultans as well. Whenever they greet the elderly, a Selam is followed by a peck on the hand, children do it with their parents, grandparents, people do it with figures of authority as well, much appreciated, it has become acceptable in many other societies too.

The Turkish Hamams

As weird as it sounds but these have a history as well, merging the Asian tradition with Roman bath, the Turkish bath was synthesized and it became an institution. Men would gather and have discussions on politics and everyday life and women would gather at different hours. It became a ceremony, celebrating certain important occasions, like ‘the bridal bath ceremony’ for the bride to be or ‘the forty day bath’ for a woman who has recently given birth or ’the guest bath’ for the guest. 

Oil Wrestling is the National Sport

So called because they’re doused in olive oil while wrestling, it is the national sport of Turkey that goes way back to the Thracian community. The Pelivaan (wrestlers) wear leather breeches called ‘Kisbet’, most traditionally made of water buffalo hide or calfskin. It differs from the Olympic wrestling in the fact that the match can be won by achieving an effective hold of the Kisbet. Originally there was no set time for the match but since it went on for days, now, 40 minutes are allocated to the match. 

The Turkish delight (Rahat Lokum)

Belonging to the category of starch and sugar gel based confections, Turkish Delight is famous world wide and historically as well. Napoleon, Picasso and Winston Churchill used to love them! And so do the Turkish people. Traditional flavors include rosewater, mastic, Bergamot orange, or lemon and premium varieties include those filled with chopped dates, pistachios, and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel. Cinnamon and mint are other much loved flavors. All of these are usually eaten in the form of cubes, dusted with icing sugar or Khopra ( dried coconut powder). So if you haven’t tried this famous delicacy, it’s not too late. Edmund, from the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ was bribed by the white witch with this very treat, betraying his family and all the inhabitants of Narnia; Yes! It’s THAT good.

Awe-inspiring architecture

During the Ottoman period, the legendary military engineer ‘Sinan’, later elevated to the status of state architect designed and built the foundations of a very unique architecture that turkey is identified with. With tall minarets and carefully calculated domes, he started the journey of the architecture in Turkey, Glazed bricks in various geometrical arrangements and mosaic can be associated with Turks, with turquoise, cobalt blue, green, violet, and black as the preferred colors.