Religious Habits
|
|
|
Ramazan ornaments
|
Kissing the hands of older family members is an obligatory ceremony of Bayram. Some families get together at the house of the oldest family member and have a “Bayram meal” all together. The elders give candy or money to those youngsters kissing their hands. In the past, gold coins and money were given however unfortunately this habit has been essentially lost, due to financial reasons.
It is tradition to call the older members of the family during Kandils and wish them “İyi kandiller” (Have a nice Kandil!). Your neighbors will bring you helva (a special Turkish dessert made of semolina or flour). It would be a nice gesture to return the dish filled with something you prepared. You can buy the Kandil Simidi (special small crispy bread ring strewn with or without sesame seeds) sold at Kandils at almost everywhere.
Mevlit is also among the customs of Turkish Muslims. Mevlit is a very long poem written by Süleyman Çelebi telling and praising the life of the Prophet Muhammed. Later it became a prayer sung as a hymn and chanted on happy and sad days. It is chanted on events such as death, anniversaries, births, circumcision and even when you purchase a new house. The mevlit chanted in mosques, becomes a social meeting among women when chanted at home. After the prayer, if the mevlit took place at a mosque, candies in cone shaped packages are distributed. An incredibly rich five o'clock tea table is set after home mevlits. If you get a mevlit invitation whether it is going to be held at home or mosque don't forget to take a scarf with you, to be used to cover your hair. Also be sure to wear thick wool socks for mevlits at mosques in wintertime.
Also See:
Latest comments about this article
By
pkrajovic 21.9.2007
Actually, the drummers don´t do their thing at ”dawn” (”thundering”?) but way before - in my neighborhood they seem to think it´s necessary to wake the faithful at 2:30 AM! Aren´t they supposed to be prohibited in parts of the city? Like Beyoglu?
Would you like to add your comment about this article? Click here!
Editor's Picks
St. Valentine An article on St. Valentine by our member Seda Toksoy more...
Speaking Turkish at the Florist Here are some Turkish phrases, which may be useful when you are at the florist. more...
Best of Boutique Pastry Shops The jury of the daily Hurriyet newspaper chose the best boutique pastry shop addresses. more...
Beauty and Therapy Clinics The interest to natural healing and wellness around the world increased the demand on beauty clinics. more...
Tunalı Hilmi Avenue Ankara's Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi, where the heart of the town beats, runs parallel to Atatürk Bulvarı, from Kavaklıdere to Akay. more...
Real Estate Agencies One of the basic actions you are going to take is to find a suitable house or apartment when you arrive a new town. more...
 |
Latest Articles |
Time Within Us
!f Istanbul Film Festival
Northern Cyprus Over Thanksgiving
Borusan Music House
Salon - February Program
The Guide January/February 2010
Ankara Jazz Festival
The RobotZoo
Mysteries of the Deep Blue
