Muslim feasts and national days in Turkey

Islamic feasts

I figured since three out of six of my Erasmus experiences were in Muslim countries and being part so much time of my life why not let you guys know what Turkish celebrate and what not and what are those special feasts and holidays throw the year.

Being born orthodox christian and later became Buddhist i grew up thinking religion is not a big deal in my life, you see in my family we never were so religious persons or somebody who will go to church on a regular basis, my mom also she was the least religious out of my family and i kind of notice in Romania how bad religion is portrayed in the media, bunch of priests who made a lot of money from us and many bad things which made me doubt my religion. But one thing i always appreciate were the holidays and all those free days in which i didn't had to attend school or work.

Since i am here in Turkey for the past one year and half i noticed they do have so different feasts from us and so many free days between and i asked my boyfriend to tell me more about this special days and what they actually celebrate and not in Turkey. So in case somebody else is coming with Erasmus in Turkey i think you should definitely know this!

I will start first with the Muslim feasts over the year, let's take 2016.

The New Year's Eve

Even though the Islam world they use a completely different calendar from the rest of us, Turkey even if they are a Muslim country they use the normal calendar as the rest of the world. Their first holiday is of course the new year's eve and on this particularly day from the rest of us which are somewhere in a bar passed out drunk or something, they celebrate the Muharram which is a special month in which prophet Mohammed emigrated from Mecca to Medina.

I have spent one New Year's here in Turkey, this year and i was so surprised when i went on the midnight outside the house in order to see the fireworks and literally nobody was on the streets and there no fireworks at all. I couldn't believe my eyes, they basically do no celebrate at all the passing into the new year.

And for those who don't know until now the people in Turkey and Muslims have no Christmas and of course no Christmas tree or gifts, which totally gave me this feeling of awkwardness during my Christmas in Turkey last year. But i goes this means to be different!

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The Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month for all the Muslims around the world, they celebrate this feast for one month long and basically in this holy month you feast from the sunrise until the sunset which in my own word means you do not eat nothing all day long. This summer i was in Elazig during Ramadan and last year i spend it in Trabzon, i think i told you guys that story when during this Ramadan i was on the streets and on a super hot day i opened a bottle of water and wanted to drink and all the eyes were on me literally.

It's a hard feast but almost all Muslim people do it and basically there all routine changes, in the night after the feast is over they gather with bunch of their family members and relatives and they eat all night long. Also in this holiday some people who are super religious they take the trip to Mecca the holy place for Islam.

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The holiday after the feast

Basically this is a feast after a feast, after the Ramadan is finishing the Muslims celebrate the end of it with another 3 days feast and celebration, they eat a bunch of candies and sweats. This year it was on July and it was from 3 days to 9 days celebration and one week day off from work and school.

The Qurban

Qurban or Kurban how they call it in Turkey is the sacrifice feast in which you need to cut an animal ( usually cows or lambs ) and share with your family, relatives, poor people and neighbors. This feast just ended in Turkey, also this time it was for 9 days long and people didn't work or went to school. But i also wrote more about this post in my previous stories so you can read more there.

So basically this are all the Muslim feast in Turkey.

Now let's get to the national days and holidays!

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23rd April, Children's day

When you taught everybody is celebrating childrens day on 1st of June like the rest of the globe, no in Turkey they celebrate it on this date. And also on this date they celebrate as well the formation of the Turkish Parliament.

1st of May, Labor day

Yes apparently we share this holiday as well, one day off from the state and this year was so amazing because we got to go in Antalya for one week so we had such a blast, we get tanned and visited a bunch of places and sights so it always a good holiday.

19th May, Youth day

On this day i actually wrote a post about it, is the day when Ataturk came to Samsun with the SS Bandirma ship which now there is a replica on the city of Samsum turned into museum ( make sure to check my post about it ). Also they celebrate youth day and sport day.

30th August, Victory day

I remember this 30th of August it was on a Tuesday and we had a day off from office, Turkish people celebrate a win in the battle for Independence in 1922.

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29th October, Republic day

On this day everybody is celebrating the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. On that particularly day Ataturk was named the president of Turkey and a new nation came to life.

So guys this are the feasts and holiday for Turkey so in case you will be here next semester just write it down on your calendar so you can surprise you new Turkish friend with a celebration card or just to be aware when are days of from school.

Catch you later guys!

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