Friday, October 12, 2007

More Than Merriment and Mirth

30 days' fast when nothing is consumed from sunrise to sunset is a holiday celebrated: Seker Bayrami (English: Sugar Holiday) It's highly believed that this is one of the perfect times to solve any disputes or problems that you may have with other people as with all holidays.


Traditionally, all kind of sweets are eaten during the Seker Bayrami. Famous Lokum (English: Turkish Delight) -which is a very well-known delight produced in Turkey since 15th century-, chocolate and liquer served in a miniature glass are offered. Younger members of the family pay visit the older members of the family. They celebrate the Bayram and eat lunch together. During Bayram visits, it is hard to control especially children because they eat too much candy and chocolate, then they easily have troubles with their stomach:)

In the old old days, the older member of the family would put some banknotes inside handkerchiefs and give them to the children who kissed them. This tradition still continues in the Anatolian towns even today, however it is about to be lost here in big cities like Istanbul, Izmir..., because paper tissues have already replaced with embroidered handkerchiefs.

On the other hand, for some people, the Bayrams become a chance for a vacation, rather than its religious significance. This time all roads are busy, and fully booked the accomodation of all types in the resorts, a big damage for your pocket, in fact:) A three-days holidays starting today.

''Good living is an act of intelligence,
by which we choose things
which have an agreeable taste
rather than those which do not''
Brillat-Savarin

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for your visit...I like your spot here too. Will be back

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  2. The sweets look mouth watering. I love your blog. Thanks for the letting me visit. connie fromTexas

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  3. It is a nice way to celebrate , with sweets and joy. Wonderful customs.
    We borrowed from you the word "bairam" for the happy meetings, with songs and dance..
    People say that the sweets in your country are excellent. When I was in Dobrogea I tasted some of them and I know the recipe for "baclava" and I often prepare it. I'm looking forward to learn others, only my diet is against me:)).
    Have a nice week-end , hugs, Sma

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  4. @ Frieda: How nice to see you here, looking forward for your next visit:)

    @ Connie: I appreciate ALL if come from heart! Even the title of your journal seems enough to grab my attention:) Welcome to my home:)

    @ Sma: Instead of borrowing the Bayram Holidays, why you do not come here to celebrate it with Turkish people? *smile* Yep, I confirm that all kinda sweets/candies/pastries.. Turkish cuisine is really the most rich one in the world. From my grandma to my mother, that tradition of baklava preparation continues. Shame on me, but I prefer to buy it.

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  5. Hello Nihal, I love your blog and I did place it between my favorites at my web-log, so I can visit it often.
    I wish you a very nice 'Suiker-feest' as we call it here in the Netherlands.
    Bye, Willeke (we swapped siggy's)

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  6. @ Willeke: Nice surprise! A big-Welcome for you:) BTW, I no longer for that work, just stopped it for an unknown time. To be the ''one'' in the network was enjoyable but then... I could not overcome as it was ''raining'', poughh...

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  7. What a yummy post, Nihal! Sounds like a wonderful holliday! Take care :o)

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