NARDUGAN

Tradition of Pine decoration: Nardugan Christmas festival which is commemorated the birth of Jesus by Christians is the festival of the rebirth of old Turks.

The Turks, according to their previous belief before they accepted monotheistic religion, there had been a silver fir in the middle of the earth. They called it ‘life tree’. We can see this tree’s motif on our all carpets, rugs and our ornaments.

The sun is very important for the Turks The sun is very important for the Turks. According to their belief, when the night gets shorter and the day is the longer on 22nd of December, the night fights against the day. After a long war, the day wins the war and gains the victory.  The Turks celebrate this victory of the Sun; this rebirth below the silver fir. The rebirth of the Sun is perceived as a new birth.

The name of the festival is NARDUGAN (nar = sun, tugan, dugan=born) Rising Sun.

e So that God gave the Sun back, they pray to God Ulgen. With the aim of their prays reach to God, they wish their wishes from the God by putting gifts under the tree and by attaching cloths to its branches.

For this festival, houses are cleaned. Beautiful clothes are put on For this festival, houses are cleaned. Beautiful clothes are put on. People sing songs around the tree and play games. Elders, granparents are visited. Families keep together and feast.

They eat fresh, dried fruits, special dish and candy They eat fresh, dried fruits, special dish and candy. If the festival is celebrated by gathering the family and friends together, life will be longer and bring you good luck.

PREPARED BY ; THE GROUP OF ROMANIA AND ITALY