Turkey Cultural Overview
Turkey is a secular, constitutional republic established in 1923, following the fall of Ottoman Empire after World War I. In spite of its close relations with the east, Turkey exhibits a great degree of western influence. 6 percent of the world’s Muslim population lives in Turkey. Though 99 percent of Turkish population is Islamic, the constitution has proclaimed Turkey as a secular state. The people are given complete freedom to choose their religious beliefs. However, Islam exerts a great influence over the culture and life at Turkey. A moderate sort of Sunni Islam remains the unofficial religion of the state. The state appoints Imams to oversee the activities of mosques and Koran schools.
Turkish Languages
The official language of Turkey is Turkish. This is closely related to the Uralic-Altaic languages found across the region between Finland and China. For writing, a Latin based text derived from Arabic and Persian scripts is used. The Kurdish community speaks Kurdish apart from Turkish. Arabic is widely spoken in the southern provinces. During the recent years, English is emerging as the most popular foreign language and taught as third language in schools.
Islamic Clothing of Turkey
Wearing certain garments typical to Islamic custom was announced illegal by the government in 1920. Following this, many people switched to western dress habits though a minor portion still holds on to the approved traditional costumes. Most women wear a simple blouse and pantaloons. Women often cover their head and lower face with a scarf, considered as a sign of modesty. Costumes worn by women are more traditional than those worn by men. For instance, even to this day, women wear large pants and skirts continuing the tradition. Many pious women still cover their heads, but with a western style scarf. The traditional dress for men consists of caftan, pants, slippers and turban. Traditionally, the costumes were of bright colors. During these days, men have adopted western style of dressing or go for a blend of local and western styles. Since wearing turban was outlawed, cloth caps have come into picture.
Turkish Foods
A typical breakfast in Turkey would consist of tea, bread, butter, white cheese, eggs, olives, honey and marmalade. White bean is the national food of the land eaten by every Turk. Raki or an aniseed-flavored grape brandy is the national drink. Some of the popular cuisines of Turkish tradition are noteworthy. Meze is a tray of small dishes consisting stuffed vine leaves, shish kebab grilled on a skewer, salads and a range of other items. Meat is normally grilled. Vegetables are prepared in olive oil. Rice palav is very common. The thick brew called Kahve is the Turkish coffee served during every meal. Turkish desserts include kadayif and muhallebi (milk pudding) and baklava (a dessert from pastry). Turkish bread is prepared from corn, wheat or barley. Some of the most important varieties of bread are Pide, tandir ekmegi, and simit. Regional variation in cuisines is very common in Turkey.
Turkish Location
The strategic location of Turkey has made it a blend of eastern and western traditions. At best, Turkey can be called the bridge between east and west.
Turkish Languages
The official language of Turkey is Turkish. This is closely related to the Uralic-Altaic languages found across the region between Finland and China. For writing, a Latin based text derived from Arabic and Persian scripts is used. The Kurdish community speaks Kurdish apart from Turkish. Arabic is widely spoken in the southern provinces. During the recent years, English is emerging as the most popular foreign language and taught as third language in schools.
Islamic Clothing of Turkey
Wearing certain garments typical to Islamic custom was announced illegal by the government in 1920. Following this, many people switched to western dress habits though a minor portion still holds on to the approved traditional costumes. Most women wear a simple blouse and pantaloons. Women often cover their head and lower face with a scarf, considered as a sign of modesty. Costumes worn by women are more traditional than those worn by men. For instance, even to this day, women wear large pants and skirts continuing the tradition. Many pious women still cover their heads, but with a western style scarf. The traditional dress for men consists of caftan, pants, slippers and turban. Traditionally, the costumes were of bright colors. During these days, men have adopted western style of dressing or go for a blend of local and western styles. Since wearing turban was outlawed, cloth caps have come into picture.
Turkish Foods
A typical breakfast in Turkey would consist of tea, bread, butter, white cheese, eggs, olives, honey and marmalade. White bean is the national food of the land eaten by every Turk. Raki or an aniseed-flavored grape brandy is the national drink. Some of the popular cuisines of Turkish tradition are noteworthy. Meze is a tray of small dishes consisting stuffed vine leaves, shish kebab grilled on a skewer, salads and a range of other items. Meat is normally grilled. Vegetables are prepared in olive oil. Rice palav is very common. The thick brew called Kahve is the Turkish coffee served during every meal. Turkish desserts include kadayif and muhallebi (milk pudding) and baklava (a dessert from pastry). Turkish bread is prepared from corn, wheat or barley. Some of the most important varieties of bread are Pide, tandir ekmegi, and simit. Regional variation in cuisines is very common in Turkey.
Turkish Location
The strategic location of Turkey has made it a blend of eastern and western traditions. At best, Turkey can be called the bridge between east and west.
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The Culture of Turkey
Turkey Cultural Overview
Turkey is a secular, constitutional republic established in 1923, following the fall of Ottoman Empire after World War I. In spite of its close relations with the east, Turkey exhibits a great degree of western influence. 6 percent of the world’s Muslim population lives in Turkey. Though 99 percent of Turkish population is Islamic, the constitution has proclaimed Turkey as a secular state. The people are given complete freedom to choose their religious beliefs. However, Islam exerts a great influence over the culture and life at Turkey. A moderate sort of Sunni Islam remains the unofficial religion of the state. The state appoints Imams to oversee the activities of mosques and Koran schools.
Turkish Languages
The official language of Turkey is Turkish. This is closely related to the Uralic-Altaic languages found across the region between Finland and China. For writing, a Latin based text derived from Arabic and Persian scripts is used. The Kurdish community speaks Kurdish apart from Turkish. Arabic is widely spoken in the southern provinces. During the recent years, English is emerging as the most popular foreign language and taught as third language in schools.
Islamic Clothing of Turkey
Wearing certain garments typical to Islamic custom was announced illegal by the government in 1920. Following this, many people switched to western dress habits though a minor portion still holds on to the approved traditional costumes. Most women wear a simple blouse and pantaloons. Women often cover their head and lower face with a scarf, considered as a sign of modesty. Costumes worn by women are more traditional than those worn by men. For instance, even to this day, women wear large pants and skirts continuing the tradition. Many pious women still cover their heads, but with a western style scarf. The traditional dress for men consists of caftan, pants, slippers and turban. Traditionally, the costumes were of bright colors. During these days, men have adopted western style of dressing or go for a blend of local and western styles. Since wearing turban was outlawed, cloth caps have come into picture.
Turkish Foods
A typical breakfast in Turkey would consist of tea, bread, butter, white cheese, eggs, olives, honey and marmalade. White bean is the national food of the land eaten by every Turk. Raki or an aniseed-flavored grape brandy is the national drink. Some of the popular cuisines of Turkish tradition are noteworthy. Meze is a tray of small dishes consisting stuffed vine leaves, shish kebab grilled on a skewer, salads and a range of other items. Meat is normally grilled. Vegetables are prepared in olive oil. Rice palav is very common. The thick brew called Kahve is the Turkish coffee served during every meal. Turkish desserts include kadayif and muhallebi (milk pudding) and baklava (a dessert from pastry). Turkish bread is prepared from corn, wheat or barley. Some of the most important varieties of bread are Pide, tandir ekmegi, and simit. Regional variation in cuisines is very common in Turkey.
Turkish Location
The strategic location of Turkey has made it a blend of eastern and western traditions. At best, Turkey can be called the bridge between east and west.
Turkish Languages
The official language of Turkey is Turkish. This is closely related to the Uralic-Altaic languages found across the region between Finland and China. For writing, a Latin based text derived from Arabic and Persian scripts is used. The Kurdish community speaks Kurdish apart from Turkish. Arabic is widely spoken in the southern provinces. During the recent years, English is emerging as the most popular foreign language and taught as third language in schools.
Islamic Clothing of Turkey
Wearing certain garments typical to Islamic custom was announced illegal by the government in 1920. Following this, many people switched to western dress habits though a minor portion still holds on to the approved traditional costumes. Most women wear a simple blouse and pantaloons. Women often cover their head and lower face with a scarf, considered as a sign of modesty. Costumes worn by women are more traditional than those worn by men. For instance, even to this day, women wear large pants and skirts continuing the tradition. Many pious women still cover their heads, but with a western style scarf. The traditional dress for men consists of caftan, pants, slippers and turban. Traditionally, the costumes were of bright colors. During these days, men have adopted western style of dressing or go for a blend of local and western styles. Since wearing turban was outlawed, cloth caps have come into picture.
Turkish Foods
A typical breakfast in Turkey would consist of tea, bread, butter, white cheese, eggs, olives, honey and marmalade. White bean is the national food of the land eaten by every Turk. Raki or an aniseed-flavored grape brandy is the national drink. Some of the popular cuisines of Turkish tradition are noteworthy. Meze is a tray of small dishes consisting stuffed vine leaves, shish kebab grilled on a skewer, salads and a range of other items. Meat is normally grilled. Vegetables are prepared in olive oil. Rice palav is very common. The thick brew called Kahve is the Turkish coffee served during every meal. Turkish desserts include kadayif and muhallebi (milk pudding) and baklava (a dessert from pastry). Turkish bread is prepared from corn, wheat or barley. Some of the most important varieties of bread are Pide, tandir ekmegi, and simit. Regional variation in cuisines is very common in Turkey.
Turkish Location
The strategic location of Turkey has made it a blend of eastern and western traditions. At best, Turkey can be called the bridge between east and west.
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