Culture

UNESCO has deemed the entire city of Istanbul as a ‘World Heritage Site'. The kind of culture the city has come to acquire over the centuries can be envisaged through this status.

Istanbul was the historical corridor between Europe and Asia. Even up till the ninetieth century, the trade and passenger routes to India and China passed through the city. People from all over the world passed through this great city and left an imprint of their customs, traditions and values giving rise to the diverse culture of Istanbul. Compared to the rest of Turkey, Istanbul is relatively less conservative and definitely a lot more tolerant. The town is perhaps the epitome of hospitality and what may seem to us interfering, is basic concern to them. They will welcome any one - human or animal - with open arms and insist that they stay on forever.

Traditions and Folklore are a very important part of Istanbul's culture. People lead a nomadic life and Istanbul has a rich ancestry of writing, song and dance. Stories also form a very important characteristic of the folk tradition and these oral renditions often make use of a central foolish character around which the events are centered. This character is often referred to as ‘Hoca' after the legendary Nasreddin Hoca.

Istanbul is one of the first places in the world to produce an authentic school of literature derived from Mysticism. A lot of poetry and lyrical verses written in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries have survived till this day. Many are rendered in their original form handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.

A large influence behind the literary prowess was that of the Dervishes - a sect of Sufi Muslim ascetics. The traditions of the Dervish (or Durvesh as pronounced in Persian) still form a major religious group in Turkey. The order most popular in the city is that of the Whirling Dervishes or the Mevelevi Order. Traditionally named after their founder, the Whirling Dervishes are so called for their ritual of a whirling dance aimed at achieving a trance like state of religious ecstasy. This ritual called ‘Sema' is based on the belief that the aim of life is to revolve and rotate since that is essentially what protons, electron, atoms, molecules, planets and stars do. This dance is a strict religious practice and performed to the beat of drums by the dervishes in long, flowing white gowns and hats made of camel hair. It begins with honors paid to Allah (God) and the Prophet Mohammad and end with a reading of the Quran.

Folk sports are a key feature of the native existence and no tourist should desist an opportunity to see them. The foremost among them is the Turkish national sport of ‘Yagli Gures' or grease wrestling. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire it is essentially a fight between two contestants smeared in oil. ‘Cirit', a form of javelin sport is played on horseback and is also very popular. It is a team sport where the javelin is thrown from one member to another and there a penalty is awarded if it touches the ground.

Like Hoca, Karagoz and Hacivat are also popular folk characters whose exploits from the basis of traditional Turkish shadow Puppet Theater. The puppets are made from camel hide and operated with the help of white lines. The stories generally have a moral to them and often incorporate present world scenes. A classic genre is that of fights between couples.

A. Music

The music of Turkey again is a veritable mix of influences from all over the world. This genre of music has largely been influenced by classical Arabic and Persian styles, Balkan and Central Asian folk music. In recent years the influence of modern European and American music is also being felt on the music.

Traditional folk music is the most outstanding feature of Turkish music and it is believed that each person living in the nation has a song of his own. This too is never written down and passes from one generation to the other through the Turkish troubadours called ‘asiklar'. Music is an integral part of education in Istanbul and students are usually taught some from of choral music or the other. Traditional songs are sung at all major celebrations like weddings and religious festivities.

Instrumental music is rather rudimentary and covers only the basics of percussion and stringed varieties. The popular traditional instruments are saz (a long necked lute), baglama, Karadeniz Kemen in the strings section, kaval and sipsi in the wind section and davul and nagara in drums.

Istanbul also has a collection of its own native dances. It would seem as if there is a dance for every situation, from birthdays to funerals. The costumes, styles and music for each are different although some overlap here and there. Each season has a specific dance. The harvest brings on the ‘Horon' - a vigorous dance that originates from around the Black Sea. ‘Zeybek' is a sort of victory celebration dance that emphasizes courage and heroism and finds its origin in the Aegean Region. Another Turkish form of dance is the sexy, sultry ‘belly dance' that has originated in the harems of Istanbul and is a sensuous dance.

With modernization, Istanbul is opening up to western forms of music such as rock and jazz. There are many singers that have taken to singing rock and pop in Turkish and the city itself hosts a few rock fests.

B. Language

The official language in Turkey and thereby in Istanbul is Turkish. It is debatable whether the language should be viewed as a separate dialect or as a group of native languages. The main dialects spoken in Istanbul are Dogu and Karadeniz. All of these resemble each other in key features like harmony and non-specification of gender in grammar. Kurdish is the second major language in the region.

A few other languages such as Armenian and Greek derived from European association and Kirghiz and Turkmen from Asia are also spoken in Istanbul.

C. Religious Practices

Turkey is an Islamic nation, although most of the taboos that characterize the religion are absent in Istanbul. The city is tolerant and welcoming but still relatively conservative in certain areas.

The country follows two calendars - the first is the solar Gregorian calendar that we all recognize and the other the lunar Hijri calendar. Muslims offer prayers five times a day in the form of ‘Namaz'. People are called for prayer though Arabic chants referred to as the ‘Aazaan', which is given out from the mosques all five times.

During the month of Ramazan, the entire city fasts from dawn to dusk. This is also a time for tourist to feast since the streets sell a variety of foodstuffs at the time of sunset to cater to the fasting members. Even restaurants and hotels put out a lavish fare in the evening in honor of the fasters. The major Islamic celebrations in Istanbul are ‘Seker Bayram' - a three-day festival that marks the end of Ramazan and Kurban Bayram - which marks the annual sacrifice of animals and the subsequent distribution of the meat between poor, friends and relatives.

D. Major Events

Commemoration of Atatürk

Location: Various Venues in Istanbul

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was responsible for the formation of a republican government in Turkey. His work initiated a lot of positive reforms and development came about in the nation, despite social regression. This day is celebrated all over the city with sporting events and activities for the youth.

Eurasian Swimming-Rowing-Sailing Competition

Location: Ferry Port, Bosphorus, Istanbul

With the motto "Everyone Needs Sport", this event kicks off with frenzy. Muscle and skill are at their best where Istanbul and Turkey battle it out in the water.

National Sovereignty / Children's Day

Location: Various venues Istanbul

This is day for children to dress up, receive gifts and be the center of attraction as the city goes all out to celebrate their existence. A special feature is that this day Children are allowed to run the Parliament and promote events for peace and harmony.

Date: 23rd April

Republic Day

Location: Various venues Istanbul

A national holiday celebrating the day Turkey became a Republic.

Victory Day

Location: Various venues Istanbul

This day celebrates the victory of the Turks over the invading Greek army in the year 1922. The Victory also heralded the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire and thus this is a twofold celebration.

NOTE: The dates, where not mentioned are subject to change as per the lunar calendar.

E. Etiquette / Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Learn a few Turkish greetings to appear polite to the people.

- Show proper respect when visiting religious monuments and historical sites.

- Stay away from the streets if you cannot bear the slaughtering of animals during the Kurban Bayram festival as many of the animals are sacrificed on the streets.

Don'ts

- Smoke in public areas.

- Dress up flamboyantly.

- Approach women unless it is absolutely necessary.

- Disrespect religious monuments.

- Eat in public during the Ramazan month.

- Ask for pork products at any store or restaurant.