Culture

Customs, crafts, music, language, food and drink: articles on the culture of Turkey.

The Bitter Coffee of Southeastern Turkey: Mirra

If any aroma were especially associated with the East it would be that of coffee. In coffee a journey westwards over the…
Turkish Language

Before going deep down in its history and alphabet; the standard blow-your-mind for the Turkish Language example is: Afyonkarahisarlilastiramadiklarimizdanmisiniz? (45 characters) which…
The Noah’s Pudding: Asure

Asure has venerable associations, being ascribed to the times of Noah’s Flood. It is said to have been invented after the Ark…
Malatya Gold: The Apricots

When the 17th-century Turkish writer Evliya Celebi, who traveled throughout the Ottoman Empire recording everything he saw, visited Malatya he remarked upon…
The Story of Turkish Food

“Do not dismiss the dish saying that it is just, simply food. The blessed thing is an entire civilization in itself!” Abdulhak…
Islam and Turkey

The secular nature of the Turkish state is enshrined in its constitution and discrimination on religious grounds is not acceptable. Nevertheless, the…
The Seven Churches of Revelation

The Seven Churches of Revelation (Asia Minor) St. John recorded letters to the Seven Churches in Asia, as part of Revelation, the…
Yatagan Swords

Art and arms might seem contradictory concepts, but like all human artifacts, weapons have been a vehicle for artistic expression. The swords…
Silver Filigree (Telkari)

Silver filigree work has its origins in Mesopotamia and Egypt from where it spread to Turkey and other parts of Asia. From…
Hidden Morocco

The Sufi Experience: beyond its monuments, its rich history, and the radiant exoticism that Morocco displays in front of those who visit…
What Is Meerschaum

Meerschaum is a German word meaning, sea-foam, alluding to the belief that it was the compressed whitecaps of waves, just as it…
Decoration with the Mother of Pearl

Shells could be regarded as a symbol of longevity since they survive for millions of years as fossils. At the same time…
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic and its first President, stands as a towering figure of the 20th Century.…
Turkish Folk Music & Dance

Ahmet Adnan Saygun said; “There is no difference between excavating the ground to reveal an ancient monument and compiling folklore traditions or…
Camel Wrestling Festivals in Turkey

Before the wrestling tradition itself and except for its nomadic purposes in history, camels were never unique to Turkey. Whereas, you can…
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony & Culture in Turkey

Islamic mysticism seeks awareness of god in manner being, and hence the various mystic sects of tarikats of whirling dervishes or Sufis…
Who Is Rumi

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mawlānā (“our master”), Mevlânâ, Mevlevî (“my master”), and more popularly simply…
Turkish Coffee Is in UNESCO

Turkish Coffee (Turkish: Turk Kahvesi) is now included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Turks by UNESCO. The issue was…