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Strange Customs and Traditions on Turkey Holidays

By Steve Alexander


Turkey is full of distinctive customs and traditions, aspects of the country that make it such a fascinating and enjoyable place to visit. Turkey holidays might bring the whirling dervishes, belly dancers and even camel wrestling so here's what's so wonderfully different about the country.

The tradition of camel fighting began almost 2,500 years ago. It involves two male camels fighting against each other in the presence of a female camel and the events take place between March and November in football stadiums in Western Anatolia in Turkey. You may know them better as Whirling Dervishes, but their true name is the Mevlevi order. A Sufi order of Islam, one of the rituals of their worship is an astonishing spinning to music, which is part of the Sama ceremony.

With competitors covered in oil and wrestling each other bare-chested, the greasy but good Turkish oil wrestling is another distinctive spectator sport. An essential part of the contest are the leather Kisbet trousers that competitors wear on their lower halves. For the ultimate clean experience, get to Istanbul on your holidays in Turkey. Hamam is world-famous, so much so that many towns and cities throughout the globe play host to Turkish baths.

Featuring flamboyant costumes, more muscles than just those in your stomach and zils (finger cymbals), Turkey's famous belly dancing might be some of the entertainment you'll find on all inclusive Turkey holidays. You might discover that the dance is harder than it looks if you're asked to participate in it.

To avoid causing offence on Turkey holidays it's worth knowing that some gestures that are perfectly innocuous in the UK have a different meaning in Turkey. Showing the soles of your feet while sat down is considered rude, as is making a circle with thumb and forefinger. To ward off the evil eye, some Turkish people use the Nazar Boncugu, a pendant that absorbs negative energy from ill wishers. You might see the pendant hung in cars or even around the neck of newborn babies.




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