TURKISH TRADITIONS

BIRTH

BIRTH Turkish people give importance to birth. So there are a lot of traditional ceremonies about birth.

POSTNATAL

Postnatal is a period that lasts 40 days after birth. This period is so important for both new mothers and children. Children must be looked after carefully because they try to adapt their new life.

The end of 40 days, family which have a baby hold a mawlid The end of 40 days, family which have a baby hold a mawlid. In mawlid, people read section of Koran for baby.

The end of the mawlid, the family which have a baby service puerpare sherbet and mawlid rice to guests.

On 40th day , newborn baby is bathed and taken to his/her relatives and their relatives give presents or give gold jewellery to the babies.

In the past People used to live in larger families so they lived altogether and women didn’t use to work. So mother-baby relationships were much closer than today. The babies were mostly taken care by the mother herself, not babysitters.

Marriage is turning point of people’s life.

People think that marriage is the most important period of life.

Marriage is a gradual and compelling term of life. Couples who will get married need a long time to recognize each other. So they go through a phase.

ASKING FOR THE GIRL IN MARRIAGE

Asking for the girl is the first step for marriage. In this term groom’s family visit bride’s family to know each other.

Families visit each other many times Families visit each other many times. So they come closer and they start being a larger family.

Finally, groom and his family visit bride’s family to finish this period. Groom comes to bride’s home with flowers and chocolate.

Bride prepares coffee for groom and his family. She services it Bride prepares coffee for groom and his family. She services it. But there is an important detail. Bride prepares special coffee. When she does it, she adds salt in his.

If groom drinks coffee willingly, it is accepted that he is brave and patient.

IN THE PAST...

PREARRENGED MARRIAGE In the past bride and groom hadn’t meet each other before.

PREARRENGED MARRIAGE Bride and groom’s families met each other before they met. But there is an important detail: these families made a decision intead of bride and groom.

In the past Bride was taken to Turkish hamam by the grrom’s family and she was observed there by grrom’s relatives. It is in other words a small test for the bride. Nowadays it is not done anymore.

Wearing a ring is the last of the asking for the girl in marriage. Wearing a ring means dependence.

Another ceremony is organized after asking for the girl in marriage. Bride’s and groom’s families join that ceremony and the bride wears a special cloth for this day.

In this ceremony bride and groom wear a ring again but this time these rings tie on each other with a red riband.

DOWRY

Bride goes to shop for her new house Bride goes to shop for her new house. Turkish people call this shopping ‘dowry’. For dowry bride’s relatives make or bring something.

A week before wedding dowry is brought groom’s house to hers. A week before wedding, necessary things for a house is taken from bride’s house and carried the bride and groom’s new house.

HENNA NIGHT

Bride enjoys this activity because men don’t join in. A week before bride’s family hold a ceremony. Bride enjoys this activity because men don’t join in.

First of all bride comes to stage with wedding dress. Bride’s and groom’s relatives join this activity. They start to dance and they have enjoy.

Then, bride leaves the stage to change her costume. She puts on another different and special costume.

When bride comes to stage again, she sits a seat. Other women turn around her with singing song and they try to make her cry.

Henna tray is turned by bride’s sister and she greases bride’s hand.

They go on dance. The night lasts and they have enjoy.

WEDDING

In wedding day bride and groom are excited and so happy In wedding day bride and groom are excited and so happy. Because they will live together from then this day.

In wedding morning the groom’s family and relatives come bride’s home.

Bride wears a wedding dress Bride wears a wedding dress. Her father or brother ties a red riband to her waist. Red riband means independence.

Bride’s friends come to her home with their cars and there are lots of cars in front of bride’s home.

Then they set out to go to hairdresser. They drive one by one. In hairdresser her single friends write their names under bride’s shoes. They believe that if names are disappeared, they will get marry soon.

Finally wedding starts at night Finally wedding starts at night. Bride’s and groom’s relatives come wedding.

Their relatives give gold to them. They take photos with bride and groom.