Turkey+Culture

Culture of Turkey


 * History || Geography || Culture || Economics || Politics || Class Activities || Resources ||
 * Beliefs: **

Islam


 * Islam is the religion of the majority of Turks.
 * Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia.
 * The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries to bring revelation to mankind.
 * He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples.
 * As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran.
 * The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.
 * Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
 * The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day.
 * Friday is the Muslim holy day although this is not practised in Turkey.
 * However, most males will attend the congregational afternoon prayer.
 * During the holy month of Ramazan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk.
 * Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing

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Information taken directly from <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Traditions: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Turkish Baths, known as Hamam. They have always played a quite important role in Turkish daily and historical life being a result of the emphasis placed upon cleanliness by Islam.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Another important thing in the daily life of the country are the coffee-houses known as kahve, being able to find one in almost every village of the country, no matter how small it could be. Hubble-bubble pipes were used to be smoked there by men long ago (these pipes are called nargile) while talking about the matters of the day. You can still smoke "nargile," but only in some of the coffee-houses. If you ever had a chance to see a "kahve," especially in Istanbul, do not hesitate to spend some time in that lovely, authentic place.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Another interesting thing is what Turkish people call the Evil Eye, which is a typical item, a specialty of this region you should take home as a souvenir. It's called the Boncuk, the Little Magic Stone that protects one from the *Evil Eye* (pronounced "bon-dschuk"). You will see this blue glass piece everywhere here in this area.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">As a curiosity, we can finally point out that Turkey is one of the very few countries that has an article in the Constitution which is related to sports, and it is the number 59, "The State takes measures to develop the physical and mental health of Turkish citizens of all ages and encourages the spread of sports among the masses. The State protects successful athletes." In recent years, with investments made in the field of sports, scientific research and the increase in importance placed by the State on sports policy, sports in Turkey became a well-liked and interesting event both as a performance sport and for the utilization of free time.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Information taken directly from <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Education: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Turkish primary education is compulsory for all citizens from 6 years old to 14 years old and its free of charge in state schools.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In 1997 the duration was extended from 5 to 8 years.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The basic education program includes Turkish language and literature, mathematics, social studies, science, civics and human rights, the history of the Turkish Republic and Atatürk's reforms, a foreign language (English, French or German), individual and group activities, religious culture and ethics, art/handicraft, music, physical education, traffic safety and first aid, career guidance, and elective courses.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Secondary education can be classified as General high schools, vocational and technical high schools.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Up until 2005-2006 secondary education was 3 years but now its 4 years.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Languages: **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Turkish <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Kurdish

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Information taken directly from <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Food **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sauced dishes prepared with
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">cereals
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">various vegetables and some meat
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">soups
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">cold dishes cooked with olive oil
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">pastry dishes
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">dishes made from wild vegetation has also produced a series of health foods such as pekmez, yogurt, bulgur etc.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The eating habits which reflect the tastes changing from one location to the next, gains a new meaning and near - sacredness on special occasions, celebrations and ceremonies.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Most famous turkish desert is baklava

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cheese, coffee and teas are also very popluar in Turkey! <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Information taken directly from <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Societal expectations **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Meeting and Greeting Etiquette <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Firm shake hands

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Information taken directly from <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Friends and relations would greet each other with either one or two kisses on the cheek.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Elders are always respected by kissing their right hand then placing the forehead onto the hand.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> When entering a room, if you are not automatically met by someone greet the most elderly or most senior first. At social occasions greet the person closest to you then work your way around the room or table anti-clockwise.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Greet people with either the Islamic greeting of 'Asalamu alaykum' (peace be upon you) or 'Nasilsiniz' (How are you? pronounced na-sul-su-nuz). Other useful phrases are 'Gunaydin' (Good Morning, pronounced goon-ay-dun), 'iyi gunler' (Good Day, pronounced ee-yee gun-ler) or 'Memnun Oldum' (pleased to meet you).

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