Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs.

Talking about Turkish culture on my blog would be quite extensive.

There are so many things about it that I want to share with you.

Turkey is a unique destination.

Located partly in Asia and partly in Europe makes Turkey rich in culture and traditions.

These are influenced by its neighbouring countries.

The European part of Turkey called Eastern Thrace is heavily influenced by European culture especially Greece.

So is it with the Asian part of Turkey.

The southeastern part of Turkey is rich in Arab and Kurdish culture due to its proximity to Arabian countries.

Georgia also has much influence on Turkish people’s lives who live in the closest Turkey city to it.

 Turkish Culture and Customs 

If you don’t know yet, since December 2021, Turkey officially changed its name to Turkiye.

It is said that the word Türkiye expresses the culture and values of the Turkish nation in the best way.

In short, Turkey is very rich with various influences from its surrounding regions.

European, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Ottoman traditions are clearly visible in Turkish culture.

Even Turkey is greatly influenced by the Roman civilization in Anatolia. Arab, Persian, Byzantine, Islamic (from the Ottoman Dynasty), and even Western influences all shape Turkish culture.

Turkey is a country that vividly and explicitly showcases the fusion of East and West.

All of this contributes to the richness of Turkish culture and traditions. Now, let’s discuss some of the cultures and traditions in Turkey…

 1. Eating Kebab 

The kebab eating culture in Turkey is so strong; everyone loves kebabs.

Each region has kebab with its own style.

The kebab meat is not just lamb; there’s also beef, chicken, or lamb. It comes with vegetables and spices.

The most famous is Doner Kebab, and there are also Tandir Alzanik, Shish Kebab, Sac Kavurma, and many other types.

Doner Kebab in Istanbul

This is Doner kebab that we often see in Indonesia.

Large pieces of meat skewered and grilled.

The meat is delicious as it is marinated with spices and grilled using charcoal.

It’s so tasty,

And the meat is very distinctive compared to kebabs in Indonesia.

Turkish kebabs are meatier!

 2. Drinking Tea in Turkey 

Turkish people really love drinking tea, known as Cay.

They brew tea using a teapot called Caydanlik.

Drinking tea in Turkey

Turkish tea is usually served in tulip-shaped glasses and specially designed Turkish cups.

 3. DRINKING COFFEE 

Besides tea, Turks also love coffee. Turks love drinking coffee as much as they love drinking tea.

Turkish coffee is black and very thick. Usually, Turks drink coffee in a small cup, and it’s often consumed without sugar.

Since the Ottoman era, coffee has been a staple for the Turkish people.

Turkish Coffee

Its colour is black, it really is.

I managed to buy it to take home and when I had a sip it is deeply rich in taste.

It is so bitter!! Hahaha….

But it tastes really good with sugar 🙂

Strong Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee cups are usually adorned with Iznik motifs. Iznik is a city in Turkey renowned for its pottery.

 4. Eating Desserts 

Since the Ottoman era, Turks have had a tradition of enjoying sweet foods.

Go to Turkish sweet shop and you will find all kinds of sweet snacks like Irmik Halvah, Baklava, Lokum, and many more.

Lokum with different colours and toppings

These traditional Turkish snacks are usually very sweet, sometimes even beyond normal sweetness. 🙂

Lokum and Cay

To balance out the sweet Turkish snacks, they usually serve Cay, which has a plain or even bitter taste.

 5. Wrestling 

For 400 years, wrestling or Oil Wrestling has been a part of Turkish culture. It has become a national sport in Turkey.

This type of wrestling, called Yagli Gures, involves competitors dousing themselves in olive oil to make it difficult for opponents to hold onto them.

Turkish Oil Wrestling

This Yagli Gures tournament is really ancient, reportedly dating back to 1362.

The wrestling here is different from the usual, as participants are doused with olive oil. That makes it hard to get a grip.

It’s not just about having a giant body like Hulk. Even though you are big, you will not win without good skill. It’s slippery, you know…

On top of that, participants are required to wear a special kind of pants called KISBET made from buffalo skin. These pants weigh 13 kg and are also coated with olive oil. It makes it even more challenging to hold on, hahaha…

It’s exciting! You guys should try to watch it live when you visit Turkey someday.

 6. House and Architecture 

Next, let’s talk about the architectural culture in Turkey.

The most famous Turk architect is Mimar Sinan, known for his spectacular works.

Traditional houses in Turkey vary from region to region. In Safranbolu, many houses are made of wood and stone, while in Central and Eastern Turkey, houses are typically built with clay, wood, or brick.

Turkish house in Safranbolu

Turkish houses in Central and East Asia part are typically built using clay, wood, or bricks.

These houses in the Goreme region are actually carved from authentic caves that have been there for ages.

Turkish House di Goreme

Turkish houses in coastal area are looked like this.

Turkish house in coastal area

 7. Bathing in Hamam 

Hamams (public baths) also has unique architecture.

Turkish has many public baths called Hamam.

Turkish hamam architecture is mix of Roman, Byzantine, and Anatolian cultures.

The most popular, Cagaloglu Hamam, was built around 1741.

The older one, Cemberlitas Hamam, built in 1584, was located nearby Grand Bazar.

Here is picture of inside hamam.

The inside part of Turkish Hamam

Even the hamam sink is also unique.

I imagine the hamam is influenced heavily by Roman empire.

I often see similar pictures in the Asterix comic titled ‘Asterix and the Roman Agent’.

Sink in Turkish hamam

 8. Turkish Dance Culture 

One of the most famous aspects of Turkish culture is Turkish dance.

The most popular dances are Horon, Kasik Oyunu, and Kilic Kalkan.

Horon is performed by men or women with arms linked each other danced with hands tied, accompanied by Kemence. Kemence is a musical instrument originally from Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea.

Kasik Oyunu is a spoon dance. The dancers hold wooden spoons in their hands (two in each hand) and use them to mark the rhythm (a kind of Turkish castanets).

The last, Kilic Kalkan is a dance with swords and shields from the early Ottoman era.

Sufi Whirling Dervish Dance

We can see this Sufi dance in Mevlana.

Sufi Whirling Dervish Dance culture

 9. Changing carpet customs 

Turks have a tradition of changing their carpets every seasons.

Thick carpets for winter and thin ones for summer.

This tradition has been around since the 13th century. So, the culture has indeed been around for a very long time.

Changing rugs every season culture in Turkey

Turkish carpet designs are diverse, but they often revolve around floral patterns, geometric lines, and animal materials.

Turkish carpets are crafted from various materials, including silk, wool, cotton, or Kilims.

 10. Nargile Smoking Culture 

Nargile is like Sheesha.

It was very popular in the 17th century. Although its popularity has waned since the introduction of cigarettes, it is still enjoyed by some.

Nargile smoking culture

 11. Knitting Culture 

Turkish women love knitting, especially in the past.

However, it seems like Turkish women nowadays are not as into knitting as much as before.

They create such beautiful things though, it’s amazing.

The knitting results of Turkish moms are impressive

It is also very colourful!

The Turkish tradition of knitting passed down from generation to generation

 12. Hospitality Culture 

Turkish people love welcoming guests.

They will offer foods to their guests and ask them to have more than they can have.

For Turkish people, guests are almost sacred.

So how do they offer them hospitality?

Serve them with many foods!

Hospitality culture in turkey

They will serve Turkish cuisine, of course!

Hospitality culture in Turkey: Serve guests very well

Your plate will never be empty, that’s for sure.

And they’ll be really sad if we don’t eat with gusto.

The Turkish culture of welcoming guests with abundant food.

 13. Gift-Giving Culture 

Turkish people love giving gifts, even for small occasions.

It’s common to give gifts when visiting someone for the first time.

Yeah just doing it, You’ll get a gift for sure.

 14. Nazar Boncuk Culture 

Nazar Boncuk is a handcrafted glass bead that believed to protect against the evil eye.

It is commonly displayed in Turkish homes. It is also used in various accessories.

This culture has been transmitted from generation to generation.

Displaying and using Nazar Boncuk culture

Nazar Boncuk is made of glass.

Its main colors are blue, white, and yellow, with black as an accent.

This eye-shape amulet is often used as a typical Turkish souvenir. It’s not just a decoration but also various items, even bracelets, earrings, and other accessories.

 15. Wishing on a Wish Tree 

Another tradition in Turkey is making wishes on a wish tree.

People write their wishes on cloth and hang them on the tree, usually done at religious sites.

I saw many prayer cloths hanging when visiting the House of Virgin Mary in Turkey.

The Turkish culture of making a wish on the Wish Tree, the Tree of Hopes

 16. Reading Coffee Grounds Culture 

Next tradition is reading the coffee grounds left in the cup.

It is a unique tradition for me, but it’s common for Turkish people. They often do this.

After finishing the coffee, you have the coffee grounds left at the bottom of the cup, and it’s these grounds that will be read.

Reading Coffee Grounds

It’s more like a fun thing to do, and many people still enjoy doing it.

 17. Hidrellez Festival 

It is a festival celebrating the meeting of Prophets Hidir and Ilyas on May 5th.

It marks the arrival of summer.

Turkish people would write wishes on paper and bury them under rose trees in the afternoon (I remember it was regular thing back in primary school).

Later in the evening they would light fireworks, make wishes, and dance together.

Everyone is happy and is free to write their wish.

The Turkish culture of Hidrellez Spring Festival in Istanbul

Photos from the Hidrellez Festival in Istanbul, everyone joyfully celebrating the arrival of the first day of summer tomorrow.

 18. Spilling Water Tradition 

When saying goodbye after a visit in Turkey, it’s common to have water poured on you.

It signifies that our arrival is like water, quickly gone, and will return later. 🙂

 19. Writing Names on the Bride’s Shoes 

There is another tradition you must know guys.

It is writing names customs on the wedding days. So, the bride will write the names of her unmarried friends on the soles of her shoes.

Writing Names on the Bride’s Shoes Culture

After the wedding, the written names will be checked.

If the names are still visible, those with the names are believed to get married soon.

If the names are deleted, those with the names are believed to have more time to tie the knot.

 20. Camel Wrestling Festival 

Have you ever seen Camel Wrestling Festival?

It is in Turkey, particularly in Selcuk.

Male camels are pitted against each other in a unique sporting event that attracts a lot of attention.

So far, no camels have been harmed.

If you want to watch, better stay at a distance because you might get hit by camel saliva if you watch too close 🙂

Camel Wrestling Festival

Selcuk city has a special arena for this festival.

They host an event called Selcuk Ephesus Camel, and it always grabs the attention of many tourists.

 21. Wheat Sowing on Hilltops Culture 

This tradition has been existed in the era of Caliph Umar Bin Abdul Aziz.

It has been 1,200 years and the people are still doing it.

They would sow wheat on hilltops during winter to feed hungry birds.

The custom of sowing wheat to feed birds at the summit of Uchisar Hill.

 22. Turkish Literature 

Turkish literature is quite developed,

particularly in poetry and prose.

 23. Turkish Music 

Turkish music is influenced by its neighbouring countries.

It includes Central Asia, Persia, Arabia, Greece, Rome, and even Europe.

Turkish Music

Turkish also has a puppetry art like wayang in Indonesia.

Turkish art and culture

 24. Turkish Movies and TV Shows 

Turkish dramas are well-known internationally,

and there is a growing presence of Turkish films on platforms like Netflix.

Thanks to movies and dramas, we can directly glimpse into Turkish culture – their clothing, food, how they interact, and even the tourist spots in Turkey.

Turkish Drama

Starting from movies, many people get inspired to visit Turkey and witness the country firsthand.

In the past, Istanbul was considered one of the art centres in Europe.

There’s something called the Istanbul Biennial. It’s a contemporary art exhibition, one of the best globally and attracts a lot of tourists.

 

 The Current Culture of Turkey 

Finally, I finished sharing all about Turkiye here.

Turkish art and culture

In conclusion, Turkish culture is still being preserved.

Some traditions may be fading, but many others are still practiced by Turkish society.

If you’re curious, make sure to schedule a trip to Turkey.

There are still some Turkish cultures I haven’t had the chance to see.

Hopefully, in the future, I’ll have the opportunity to return to Turkey.

Let’s all hope for it!

Turkey, June 2019

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs

Turkish Culture and Customs