« Conversations | Main | More from "Conversations" »

A Muslim Thanksgiving

The past few days here have been Bayram, which is Turkish for a national holiday or festival. Although there are bayram throughout the year, such as at the end of Ramadan, this particular holiday is what is known as Kurban Bayramı, or Days of Sacrifice.
The streets of Bursa in the days leading up to Bayram are busy, as everyone looks to buy gifts. The bazaars and street markets are packed, the street hawkers barking out special "Bayram" prices. Then on the first day of Bayram (it lasts four days), sheep and cows are sacrificed to God for the children or the family or health, and the sacrifice is eaten in a large meal. When you think about it, ıt's not so different at all from Thanksgiving in America: it is a celebration marked by thanks to God, a gathering of family and a lot of food.
My friend Orzlem isn't so into the sacrifice. Once her father bought a sheep for Bayram and wanted to sacrifice the sheep in her name and she was like, "No!" She doesn't like the idea of cutting the throats of young sheep and cows.
But that's only one aspect of Bayram. Really, it's a time for people to get away from work, spend time with friends and family, drink rakı (a kind of Turkish pernod, a real head-spinner believe me) or beer and have fun. I notice in Turkey, or at least here in Bursa, many people work six, sometimes seven days a week. So Bayram provides a release, a time to unwind.
The daily prayers, heard from loudspeakers atop the minarets throughout the city, continue as always. But with Bayram there is an added spark: a cannonblast accompanies each prayer throughout the day. For a foreigner, these cannon blasts are hard to get used to. You're walking down the street and suddenly "Boom!" and you feel like you are going into cardiac arrest.
What else to say? Nothing really. A holiday needs no dissertation, so I won't give one. Funny though, my Turkish friends asked about Thanksgiving in America.
I told them we eat turkey.
They got out good laugh out of that.

Posted by James Tressler on November 30, 2009 03:14 AM |

Comments

I go to your site once in a while and I just have to say that I like your template!

Posted by: Peter | December 23, 2009 01:24 PM

I really didn't think that quality websites still existed, thanks, this site is a breath of fresh air. Please keep it up...

Posted by: The Best Spinner | March 8, 2010 02:02 AM

Hi great site Im searching for some Information on adventure vacations in europe if any body can Help me out

Posted by: Ricardo Yafai | March 8, 2010 08:32 AM

Few people may disagree. What is the one thing that unites all Americans, regardless of gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background? Deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers

Posted by: Hilda (Hili) Equity | May 17, 2010 07:33 AM

Wonderful to read!

Posted by: premium web templates | May 23, 2010 10:09 AM

thank you for this great post. It assisted me alot.

Posted by: estetik | June 21, 2010 04:33 PM

Nice Post. It’s really very good article. I am really apreciated to share it with us. Thanks!!

Posted by: estetik | June 21, 2010 04:54 PM

What is the meaning of the previous comment? I think it is important.

Posted by: Yoko Pikkarainen | July 15, 2010 05:56 PM

Lenen Zonder BKR Toetsing Lenen zonder BKR toetsing stijgt in populariteit op het Internet. Veel mensen met een zogeheten BKR notatie, die toch geld willen lenen zijn op zoek naar ...

Posted by: lenen zonder bkr toetsing | August 2, 2010 03:08 PM

U wilt geld lenen zonder BKR toetsing? De opties hiervoor worden groter, kijk verder en ontdek hoe u wél geld kunt lenen, snel & eenvoudig.

Posted by: lenen | August 5, 2010 02:13 AM

Hypotheken? Heel veel hypotheek informatie: verschillende hypotheekvormen, hypotheekrentes, nationale hypotheek garantie, hoe een hypotheek te vergelijken.

Posted by: hypotheek | August 8, 2010 09:24 PM

Inspiring – thank you for sharing your story.

Posted by: Free Electronic Cigarette | August 9, 2010 08:10 PM

This was a great post, I hope you will write some more of these in the future....

Posted by: Electronic Cigarettes | August 23, 2010 09:31 AM

Hi. I just noticed that your blog looks like it has a few code errors at the very top of your site's page. I'm not sure if everybody is getting this same bugginess when browsing your site?

Posted by: Kamagra Gel | August 27, 2010 08:39 AM

Whats up, This blog is very informative and enjoyable to read. I am a big believer of the things blogged about. I also find joy reading the replies, but it seems like that alot of people must keep on topic to try and add more to the original topic. I would also recommend anyone to add this url to your favourite service to help get the word out. Warm Regards

Posted by: spyware removal software | August 30, 2010 07:22 PM

How are you, This article is very informative and enjoyable to read. I am a enourmous follower of the things written about. I also find joy reading the comments, but it seems like that alot of people need to stay on topic to try and give value to the original topic. I would also ask all of you to add this blog to your favourite service to help spread the word. Warm Regards

Posted by: spyware removal software | August 30, 2010 07:31 PM

How ya doin, Wanted to make you aware that this page is not displaying properly on my Samsung Slider. Besides, I’m now browsing the RSS feed on my laptop, Thank you

Posted by: spyware removal software | August 30, 2010 07:43 PM

pick your price new zealand pub
find a cheap hotel
booking for motel
adjustment rentals
budget-priced undertaking in uk
cheap hotel motel
caravanserai deals australia
motor hotel booking website
motor hotel booking systems
hotel price bid
lowest prices hotels
hotel charme
caravanserai deals in
the jet hotel
sybaritism forebears
breakfast dwelling
cheap packages
motel hotels
budget-priced return flights
share housing
prenotazione guest-house
cheap hotels niagara
house stay
new zealand pub new zealand urban area entry-way
cheap deals on hotels

Posted by: LATANTEENAIRL | September 3, 2010 09:15 PM

Post a comment