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| Belly
Dance |
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 Oriental dance (belly dance) is the oldest recorded dance in the history of mankind. It can be seen the hieroglyphics of Egypt dating from 4000 B.C. During the nomadic days, dance was performed primarily by women for the purposes of entertainment and ritualous reasons. It thrived until 600 A.D., when Islam became popular and banned all music and dance. Yet, during this time and for 500 years thereafter, Arabic music and dance found a way to survive... More |
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| Folk Culture |
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 Turkish Folklore is often anonymous and passed from one generation to the next. It includes epics, legends, folk poems, ballads, elegies, folk songs, riddles, folk tales anecdotes, proverbs, expressions and rhymes... More
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| Holidays |
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OFFICIAL
HOLIDAYS IN 2005 More
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| Night
Life |
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 The city of Istanbul has an extensive and diverse nightlife. From the bohemian backstreets of Beyoglu to the ornate resaurants of Ortakoy or Etiler; Istanbul exhibits one of the most engaging and vibrant scenes in the region. ... More |
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| The
Evil Eye |
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 "Nazar Boncuğu" is a little stone that is believed to protect one from the “Evil Eye”. This is a typical item, a characteristic of this region that you should take home as a souvenir.The force of the evil eye (or Nazar) is an accepted and feared element in the Turkish culture since earliest times... More |
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| The
Turkish Coffee |
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 From the days of the Ottoman Empire to the present, coffee has played an important role in Turkish lifestyle and culture. The serving and consumption of coffee has had a profound effect on betrothal and gender customs, political and social interaction... More |
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| The
Turkish Tea |
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 Tea is one of the most popular drink beverages in Turkey. The Turkish tea is served in thin and transparent glasses in order to show the color of the tea distinctly. Well-made Turkish tea should be crystal clear and of a deep mahogany- red hue. Indian tea, being stronger in flavor, does not produce such a rich color without becoming undrinkable... More |
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| Water
Pipe |
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 Although the Nargile (pronounced NARG-EE-LEH), or the Turkish water pipe, is no longer at the center of Istanbul's social and political life; it used to be very important part of the Turkish Culture. There are fewer than a dozen nargile salons left in Istanbul, and a very few in other Turkish cities. These cafes are the remains of thousands that sprouted here after the first tobacco leaves arrived from America 1601..More |
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