8 Interesting Facts About Turkish Culture You Should Know

8 Interesting Facts About Turkish Culture You Should Know –  Turkish culture is indeed fascinating! Located in the west of the Asian continent and the southeast of the European continent, Turkey has been around since 1920 and has a rich history. One important aspect of its history is the existence of the legendary Ottoman Empire. Apart from its historical heritage, this country is also filled with various unique facts about its culture.

8 Interesting Facts About Turkish Culture You Should Know

Let’s explore some interesting facts about Turkish culture:

1. High Tea Consumption
surlerythme – Tea drinking is an inseparable part of the daily life of the Turkish people. The per capita tea consumption in Turkey is the highest in the world, with 96% of its population enjoying a cup of tea every day. In a year, one Turkish person can consume up to 3 kg of tea. Tea is not just a drink, but also a symbol of national pride, served in small cups known as “çay”.

2. Fat and Well-Groomed Stray Cats
In Turkey, we can find many stray cats roaming the streets. Although they are stray cats, they often look healthy, fat, and well-groomed. This is due to the attention that the community gives to these cats. In Istanbul, there is a cat cafe that allows visitors to enjoy coffee while playing with adorable cats.

3. A City That Spans Two Continents
One of Turkey’s unique features is Istanbul, a city that is located on two continents: Asia and Europe. Istanbul is not only the largest city in Turkey, but it is also a center of rich culture and history.

4. Traditional Music and Dance
Turkish culture is rich with various types of unique traditional music and dance. One of the most well-known dances is “Halay”, which is usually danced by large groups at weddings and festivals. Traditional Turkish music is often played with musical instruments such as “saz” and “darbuka”, and there are also popular music genres that are very famous throughout the world.

5. Stunning Art and Architecture
Turkish art and architecture are heavily influenced by Islamic traditions. The most famous example is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the “Blue Mosque”. Calligraphy is also a highly valued art, seen in many mosques and historical buildings. In addition, Turkey has a variety of art museums and galleries that display works from various periods.

6. Unique Customs and Traditions
Turkish culture is rich with many interesting customs and traditions. One of them is the “Henna Night”, which is usually held before a wedding, where family and friends decorate the bride’s hands and feet with henna. The tradition of “hammam”, or traditional bathing, is also very popular in the country.

Through these aspects, we can see how rich and diverse Turkish culture is, making it a destination worth exploring.

Turkish cuisine has an incredible diversity and mouth-watering flavors. Among the famous dishes, “kebab” stands out as an iconic dish, made of beef or chicken grilled over hot coals to perfection. In addition, Turkey is also known for “baklava”, a sweet pastry made of thin layers of phyllo paper, filled with nuts and drizzled with rich syrup. Last but not least, there is “pide” which is a typical Turkish pizza bread, and “dolma”, which is a vegetable filling with rice and meat, which is equally delicious.

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When it comes to education, Turkey views it as very important and is one of the country’s top priorities. Civic education has been an integral part of Turkey’s modernization process. The education system here consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary education. There are many universities in Turkey that offer quality and internationally accredited study programs.

In conclusion, Turkish culture is rich and unique, a blend of traditions from various countries. From the high tea consumption habit, Istanbul’s location on two continents, to its distinctive traditional dances and music, all create a fascinating cultural beauty. Art and architecture influenced by Islamic values, as well as unique traditions and mouth-watering cuisine, are part of the charm it offers. If you want to learn more about Turkish culture, a visit to this country will take you on an unforgettable experience, amidst the beauty and uniqueness of its culture.

Inspiring Turkish Lifestyles

In Turkey, there are a number of interesting lifestyles that we should explore further. Some of them can be good examples for us to emulate. Here are six Turkish lifestyles that I have collected from interviews with several sources who have lived there for a long time.

1. Making Prayer a Daily Habit

In Indonesia, greetings such as “good morning” or “enjoy your meal” are often forgotten in everyday conversations. However, in Turkey, expressions such as “günaydın” (good morning), “kolay gelsin” (may your affairs be made easy), “afiyet olsun” (enjoy your meal) and “iyi şanslar” (good luck) are often uttered. These phrases are not just ordinary greetings, but are full of meaning, prayers and hopes. This is certainly interesting and we can emulate it, considering that good communication is an important key in building healthy relationships, one of which is through the habit of using positive and meaningful words.

2. Love for Animals

From interviews with two Indonesian students in Turkey, Arya and Nisrun, it was revealed that most Turkish people show a very friendly attitude towards animals. In addition to cats, which are known as the icon of Turkey with their cuteness and agility, dogs, birds, and other animals also receive the same attention. Many people voluntarily give food to stray animals. In Istanbul and other cities, we can find small houses that provide food and shelter for stray cats and dogs. Cats can even sleep freely in places of worship, restaurants, and other public shops, showing that they are given proper comfort.

This reflects the deep affection of Turkish people towards living creatures, considering that humans and animals are entities that should live side by side in harmony. Therefore, we should treat animals well, or at least not hurt them.

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3. High Interest in Reading

The proverb says that books are the windows to the world; by reading books, our horizons will expand. Books function as a source of information that makes us better understand aspects of life, including economics, politics, social, and culture. Unfortunately, various factors, such as economic constraints and social environment, can hinder a person’s interest in reading.

This is different from Turkey, where since the Ottoman Empire until now, books and education have become an inseparable whole. There are many places called “kıraathane,” a kind of coffee shop that provides newspapers, magazines, and books to read while enjoying tea or coffee. Kıraathane can be found in various cities in Turkey, creating a unique atmosphere to attract people’s interest in reading.

By exploring the lifestyle of Turkish people, we can indeed find many things that we can imitate and adapt in our daily lives.

In Turkey, the books offered are relatively affordable. In fact, there are thick best-selling books that are sold at prices starting from IDR 5,000 in Rupiah. This can be an example for us in an effort to increase interest in reading. By providing wide access to reading and friendly prices, various groups can enjoy it.

Furthermore, nationalism that is rooted in society is also an important element for the glory of a nation. When people have a high spirit of nationalism, they tend to support each other and work together to achieve, maintain, and perpetuate their national identity.

In Turkey, this sense of nationalism is very strong, as seen from their concern for the sustainability of the Turkish language. Foreigners who want to study or work in this country are usually required to master Turkish. Although not everyone is like that, the majority of people are not fluent in English, so foreigners, including students, are expected to at least understand Turkish to facilitate daily interactions. In social life, the majority of the Turkish population does not master any other language than Turkish itself.