FOLKLORE AND TRADITIONS / TURKEY

1- HACİVAT KARAGÖZ

Karagöz (meaning blackeye in Turkish) and Hacivat (also written Hacivad) are the lead characters of the traditional Turkish shadow play, popularized during the Ottoman period.
*** The central theme of the plays are the contrasting interaction between the two main characters: Karagöz represents the illiterate but straightforward public, whereas Hacivat belongs to the educated class, speaking Ottoman Turkish and using a poetical and literary language. ***

2- TURKISH FOLK DANCES

Folk dances have different characteristics based on region and location and are generally engaged in during weddings, journeys to the mountains in the summer, when sending sons off to military service and during religious and national holidays. The best known folk dances are

• Horon
• Kaşık Oyunu
• Kılıç Kalkan
• Zeybek

• *** Horon 

This Black Sea dance is performed by men only, dressed in black with silver trimmings. The dancers link arms and quiver to the vibrations of the kemence, a primitive type of violin.

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• Kasik Oyunu 

The Spoon Dance is performed from Konya to Silifke and consists of gaily dressed male and female dancers clicking out the dance rhythm with a pair of wooden spoons in each hand.

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• Kilic Kalkan

The Sword and Shield Dance of Bursa represents the Ottoman conquest of the city. It is performed by men only, dressed in early Ottoman battle dress, who dance to the sound of clashing swords and shields without music.

                                    
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• Zeybek 

In this Aegean dance, colorfully dressed male dancers, called "Efe", symbolize courage and heroism. ***

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3- TURKISH FOLK HEROES

• Nasrettin Hoca

A 13th century humorist and sage from Aksehir. His witticisms are known throughout Turkey and often appear in conversation.

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• Yunus Emre 

The 13th century philosopher poet, one of Turkey's national treasures, promoted basic themes of universal love, friendship, brotherliness and divine Justice.

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• Köroglu

A 15th century folk poet, Köroglu was a role model for his contemporaries and a hero of his time. His adventures have been recounted for centuries and perhaps now with more interest than ever.

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4- NARGİLE - TURKISH WATER PIPE

The nargile (NAHR-gee-leh), or Turkish water pipe, has for centuries been an icon of Eastern café culture. By forcing tobacco smoke through water, the nargile partially filters tar and particulates from smoke, in addition to cooling it.

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5- WEARING THE KING’S COAT

Every man at a certain age has to do his military service in most countries. But in Turkey we have a different culture for this tradition, we send our sons off -their hands hennaed- to do this honoured mission with some kind of festivals changing from one town to another.

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6- RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

During these religious festivals, people visit cemeteries and prays for the beloved ones passed away. They also visit elder family members and relatives whose hands the children kiss and get money or sweet for this.

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7- GIVING NAME TO THE INFANT

In this tradition, in the seventh day of a baby a banquet is thrown. The grandparents of the baby are invited. They ask blessing and the name is decided. If the name was decided in advance it is asked to meet with approval by the elders of the family. And the oldest male member of the family is announced. He takes ablution and holds the baby in his arms. After reading the call to prayer he says the through the right ear of the baby. He repeats the name for three times and the ceremony ends.