Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Islam in Turkey
Turkey is a 99% Muslim country, but many Turks take a relaxed approach to religious duties and practices. Fasting
during Ramazan is widespread and Islam's holy days and festivals are observed, but Islamic holidays are the only
times many Turks visit a mosque. You can also tell by the many bars that Turks like a drink or two. Turkish
Muslims have gradually absorbed and adapted other traditions; it's not uncommon to see Muslims praying at Greek
Orthodox shrines or monasteries, while the Alevi minority has developed a tradition combining elements of Anatoli-
an folklore, Sufism and Shia Islam.
Muslim Minorities
Turkey is home to numerous minorities, most are regarded as Turks, but they nonetheless
retain aspects of their culture and their native tongue.
Laz & Hemşin
The Laz mainly inhabit the valleys between Tr-
abzon and Rize: you can't miss the women in
their vivid maroon-striped shawls. Once Chris-
tian, the Laz are a Caucasian people speaking a
language related to Georgian.
The Hemşin were also originally Christian,
and speak a language related to Armenian. They
mainly come from the far-eastern end of the
Black Sea coast, although perhaps no more than
15,000 Hemşin still live there; most have mi-
grated to the cities, where many work as bread
and pastry cooks. Around Ayder, Hemşin wo-
men wear eye-catching leopard-print scarves
coiled into elaborate headdresses.
People
Watching
1 İSTIKLAL CADDESI (
CLICK HERE
)
Others
The last link to the wandering Turkic groups
who arrived in Anatolia in the 11th century, the
Yörük maintain a nomadic lifestyle around the
Taurus Mountains (Toros Dağları).
3 KORDON & ALSANCAK (
CLICK HERE
)
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