Folk Culture in Turkey

Geographers define culture as "the body of material traits, customary beliefs, and social forms that together constitute the distinct  tradition of a group of people" (Rubenstein, 80).  Geographers are interested in culture because it informs the way humans interact with Earth and each other and it can reveal similarities and connections between different countries (migration, assimilation). 

Folk Culture: Kina Gecesi 

"traditionally practiced primarily by small, homogeneous groups living in isolated rural areas" (81).

A few days before my wedding, my dear friend Summeye, hosted a henna night for me at the Turkish Cultural Center in Pittsburgh, PA. It was a wonderful evening that gave me the opportunity to participate in a part of Turkish folk culture. 

A henna night (Kina Gecesi) is a religious, folk  ceremony in Turkey, that is traditionally held the day before the wedding. "It is a ceremony steeped in history and folklore, in which the family of the bride-to-be gives her away to the family of the groom". During the ceremony, the bride wears an ornately decorated robe, called a bindallı, and a red veil over her face. 

(Me wearing a bindallı)

Traditionally friends and family of the bride and groom participate in the ceremony.  All women in attendance carry a small candle and decorative cloth in each hand during the henna ceremony.

(Friends of mine carrying candles and sequined fabric)

With her friends and family forming a line, the bride walks into the room and sits in a chair placed in the center of the room. The lights are turned out and the friends and family form a circle around the bride.

(My friends walking in a circle around me) 

Then the  women walk around her singing a Turkish folk song: (English translation)

They shouldn't build homes on the high hills

They shouldn't give girls to faraway cities

They shouldn't upset the mother's one and only

May the birds carry the message

I miss my mother

Both my mother and father

I miss my village

I wish my father had a horse, he could jump on it and come

I wish my mother had a sail, she could open it and come

May the birds carry the message

I miss my mother 

Both my mother and father 

Traditionally, the best friend of the bride, carries a copper tray with candles and a pot filled with henna. She places a large dot of henna and a coin in the palm of the bride's left hand. She then covers the bride's hand with a red, silk bag. Now the bride is ready to go with her new family. 

(Henna time!)

Here is a recording of the henna night song, Yüksek Yüksek Tepelere. 

(It's totally okay if you feel the tears coming during this song... the bride is supposed to cry during this song, if not they will keep singing until she does). 

Links: Here is a link to an article about the "new-urban" henna night. It's pretty long but if you'e really curious about this modernization of this traditional, folk custom... enjoy :) 

Sources:  

Rubenstein, J. M. (2010). Contemporary human geography. Prentice Hall: Glenview, IL. 

Kneib, M. (2004). Turkey: A primary source cultural guide. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. : New York, NY.