Location: The Turkish people can be found in many countries in the Middle East, such as the country of Macedonia (1), but the main concentration is found in the country of Turkey. It is surrounded by three bodies of water; the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea. The countries that surround the rest of Turkey are Bulgaria, Russia, Greece, Iraq, and Syria. (4)
History: The area in what is now considered Turkey was a site that served for many battles and is also one of the areas that has been continually inhabited. Many countries have come in to stake their territory and many empires have risen and fallen in this country. Some of the many countries and or empires that have reigned on this land include, Hittites, Phrygisns, Gauls, Greeks, Macedonians, Parthians and the Mongolians (5). The Ottoman Empire is the empire that was transformed during the Mongolian invasion. (Many of the features of Turkish people resemble that of a Mongolian.). This empire continued to grow and expand and when they were at their largest, they controlled a large portion of the eastern Mediterrianian. The fall of the Ottoman Empire began in the 1800s (4). Much territory was lost during this time and when World War I came about, the Ottoman Empire joined forces with Germany. This was in hopes that the lost territory would again be regained. This never happened. In 1923, the Republic of Turkey was born. The first President was Ataturk Kemal, who set the stage for the modern Turkey (4).
Language: The Ottoman Empire also influenced the language that was spoken in Turkey for centuries. The Arabic alphabet was used in speaking Turkish and many Arabic and Persian words were borrowed during this time. In 1928, a leader by the name of Kemal Ataturk, who is considered the founder of the Turkish Republic (2), changed what the Ottoman Empire had started. The majority of the Turkish people continue to speak Turkish but now use the Roman alphabet (4). Other languages that are spoken in less than ten percent of the people are Kurdish of all dialects, Arabic, Greek, Arminian, and Yiddish (6).
Daily Life: Although Turkey does not claim and official state religion, Muslem is the most prominent religion practiced in Turkey. Religious turmoil is not an issue in Turkey, because it is a country of religious freedom. Other religions practiced in Turkey but are not as prominent as the Muslem religion are, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Gregoriean, and Roman Catholic (4).
Agriculture has played a vital part in the lives of the Turkish people. About one half of the population is in farming (1). The main crops that are grown in Turkey are wheat, barley, corn, rye, and oats. They also grow poppies, which are used to make opium for medical purposes. Other crops that are grown well in only parts of the country are tobacco, cotton, sugar beets which is a source of sugar, figs, raisins, hazelnuts and olives (4). Dariy farming is also a way of life, but it is normally integrated with the raising and harvesting of the crops. The animals are needed to do field work and are also bred and raised for their milk and the meat. Problems that have arisen with the agriculture is that the productivity is low compared to the amount of people participating in the profession and overgrazing has become aparent with the livestock including sheep, oxen, and goats (6). Mining and manufacturing are also a way of life for the Turkish. Materials that are mined include copper, iron, lead, zinc, and coal. Products manufactured are chemicals, paper, cement, sugar, shoes, cigarettes and glass (4).
Men and women have different and very distinct roles that they perform during daily living. The men are in charge of the major agricultural work, making all contacts outside of the home, this would be such things as the shopping, and they are also to tend to the oxen. Women in the Turkish culture are responsible for the child rearing practices, caring for the animals such as the feeding the chickens and milking cows. The women are also responsible for the weeding of vegetable gardens and reaping or harvesting of all of the short stemmed crops. They are also to tend to all meal preparations. Crossover in these roles is rare, and the men are to never do the womens work. If a man is a widower, he will marry within a few days or weeks, where as if a woman is widowed; she will take over the tasks of the man as well as the woman(6).
Turkish Carpets: The Turkish culture is very well known for their carpets. The different styles include knotted or woven and can be made with wool, cotton or even silk. All carpets whether woven or knotted contain brilliant colors and beatiful patterns. These carpets began as a protection for the Turkish from the extreme temperature changes that they experience. The carpets can be used as wall hangings, floor coverings, and even as window drapes. These carpets have become one of the most popular household items in the world. Many carpets have been used in holy matters, for royals, and some have been retired to museums in Istanbul (3).
(1). Encyclopedia Britannica.com The Ottoman Empire Retrieved October 01 2000 wysiwyg://143/http://www.britannica.com&+110564,00.html?query=turkish%20ct.
(2). Unknown Author, Turkish Culture Retrieved
http://www.turkey.org/culture/culture.htm
September 20, 2000
(3). Unknown Author, Turkish Carpets Retrieved
http://www.turkey.org/culture/c_carpet.htm
September 20, 2000
(4). World Book Encyclopedia Turkey Volume 18 Copyrighted 1995
(5). Academic American Encyclopedia. Turkey Volume 19 Copyrighted 1997 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
(6). The New Encyclopaedia Britannica: Macropaedia Volume 28 Copyrighted 1992 Editorial Services By University of Chicago
Written by Anastacia Wolff