Ramadan in Turkey

Part of me was sad in this Ramadan because I wasn't in Turkey. I strongly believe that Ramadan brings happiness to homes all over Turkey. Families, relatives and friends come together sometimes during this 30 day of fasting to share food.

during Ramadan, before dawn each day, family members get up and partake of a proper breakfast together. we are calling that breakfast as "sahur".
in Turkey, as a tradition, in order to help people to get up for Sahur eating, there are "Ramadan Drummers". each night , about 2 hours before the dawn, each ramadan drummer assigned for specific area of the town, begin to play his drum while walking around that area. he passes around the buildings and apartments couple of times. for me, it is a very happy moment to hear our drummer. When I miss the drummer because of my deep sleep, I was feeling sad. Drummers are getting paid by municpality but they are also collecting tips twice in the middle and end of Ramadan from people (in the evening) by telling specific poems related to Ramadan and by playing the drum. you should have listened to these specific short poems, they are generally make you think and at the same time they are funny.

I am sure what is on the Sahur table is depending on the family members and their tastes in Turkey ;) but for my family, my father is kind of picky on subjects related to food. ;) so, there have to be either pasta or rice on that table served with "hosaf" (special light and sweet dish goes well with pasta and rice) or "yogurt" for him to be able to fast for the next day. I have 2 sisters and for us, getting up at the middle of the night is generally really difficult especially when we were younger. but, once you get up, family talk on the Sahur table is something special that I will always remember. as 3 sisters, the problem was whenever we see rice or pasta on the table, we were complaining a lot. my dearest patient and caring mom was always preparing something else for 3 of us as well. I feel like, during Ramadan, all moms are earning a lot of good deeds than any other people in front of God since almost all are very self-sacrificing and Devoted to their families and kids. I want to be like my mom but I don't know if I can be as patient and loving as her.

At sunset, people should also break fast. the dinner (we call it "iftar") table during Ramadan month is generally spectacular. iftar is a very important part of the Ramadan in Turkey. I will explain and give some specific examples of Turkish iftar on my next post. but I am telling you, since Turkish cuisine has wide variety of very very delicious food in it, you really should be in Turkey during Ramadan so that you can try them all :)