image via flickrthe young people visiting the older family members...
family members meeting in the house of the oldest member...
they all celebrating the joy of togetherness in the Bayram eating lunch together...
offering both family and incoming guests lokum (English: Turkish Delight), chocolate, candies, Turkish coffee and liqueur in miniature glasses with traditional fresher; lemon cologne. Oh.. worths everything, I love this stuff:)
visiting the graves of deceased family members...
giving tips for the door keepers or apartment superintendents...
Everyone... everyone has to be remembered during this festival!
Said these traditions are a part of Turkey's longest great religious festival -officially four days but it now comes nine days bridging to the weekends- and also secular holiday, known as Kurban Bayrami in Turkish (English: The Feast of Sacrifice).
It's based on an event where Abraham was ordered to sacrifice one of his two sons. The son was Ishmael while it was Isaac to the Old Testament. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his own son in obedience to the God, God provided a ram to offer in substitution. The offering of the sacrifice has become an annual celebration to commemorate the occasion, and thank God for his favors.
So devout followers believe that this is the most holy of their annual celebrations. During this holiday it is to sacrifice an animal to atone for their sins, or to give money to the poor if it's impossible to sacrifice. But in recent years, Turkish people has begun to make donations to charitable institutions instead of sacrificing the animals.
In accordance with the traditions, the meat is divided into three portions: 1/3 is given to the poor, 1/3 to neighbors and relatives, and the final 1/3 is kept for the household. The skin of the animal is donated to various social welfare organizations.
The whole object of this Festival for food is
to be eaten with a cheerful heart
in remembrance of God's bounty and
provision for mankind.
to be eaten with a cheerful heart
in remembrance of God's bounty and
provision for mankind.
~Wishes for a joyous Feast of Sacrifice~
Once again you have provided me with some history and an interesting peek inside your culture. Post like this make my early blog rounds exciting.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Nihal - how interesting! It is nice that somewhere in the world this intended sacrifice is celebrated!
ReplyDeleteNihal,
ReplyDeleteI do not know quite how to put this but your blog is so inspiring and so nourishing to my brain, my soul, my spirit. I love to visit it and read what new things you are doing and seeing and what piece of culture you will share for that day or week. I never imagined I would find a blog that I would enjoy so much. Now, here's an interesting little note....in the top cupboard there is an empty box of lokum/Turkish Delight that we brought home from our trip ten years ago. The box may be empty but I like to look up and see it because I am almost daily reminded of our trip. :-)
I agree with "The more I give the more I have." So true!!!
ReplyDeleteWell that is a nice celebration, good thoughts in it.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say "HI!"; I dropped by via Paris Parfait.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Rome.
Nihal, this is wonderful. I so believe that we reap what we sow. What you give does indeed come back to you.
ReplyDeleteYou give us so much. You share your heart and spirit so freely, and we are each the beneficiary.
Extra blessings as you celebrate this sacred time.
@ Darla: Glad to hear yours as usual:) With its rich aesthetic traditions and cultural history, Turkey is a country to be talked about more, more and more as long as my time allows.
ReplyDelete@ Leon: I'm pretty pleased with your first visit on my space. Tks sharing your thought:)
@ Nathalie: Dropped here via Paris Parfait? So cool:) Isn't nice Tara is like a bridge btw our spaces:) Welcome to my home:)
@ Sandi & Bev: I definitely love your pens! Your small notes are so sweet to make me drunk;) xoxo
Have a wonderful, festive and happy holiday. Enjoy together with your family.
ReplyDelete