Intangible Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage does not only refer to monuments and artefacts. It actually goes way beyond customs, rituals, and social practices, the knowledge and skills transmitted through master-apprentice relations. These are traditions that we “inherit from our ancestors and pass on to our descendants,” as

Türkiye is among the top five countries with the most intangible heritage values included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. In fact, there are 25 Turkish intangible heritage values that can be found on this prestigious list. With plenty of oral traditions, local knowledge, and traditional skills having made it onto the list, Türkiye’s rich heritage is due to its long history as the bridge between East and West.

Collective Flatbread-Making Culture

Turkish traditional flatbread entered UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 as part of a multinational file that includes Türkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

A tradition that has been maintained for several generations now thanks to its social function and widely observed practice, flatbread making sees three or more people actively participate in the preparation and baking processes of these traditional specialities. It includes a few types of bread. Lavash, katyrma, jupka, and yufka are types of these round-shaped breads, whereas the diverse baking techniques include the uses of tandır, sac or kazan. These are some unique cooking equipment widely used in the region.

Transmitted from master to apprentice, this tradition is still sustained in rural parts of Türkiye and reinforces the sense of belonging that is supposed to be felt among members of the community. To learn more about bread’s importance in Turkish food culture, click here.

The Tradition of Nevruz (Nowruz)

An ancestral festivity that marks the first day of spring, Nowruz has been sustained as a tradition for centuries. It includes rituals and ceremonies and a feast that brings people, usually close relatives or small communities, together in joy.

Nowruz is now a true symbol of solidarity and peace. It entered UNESCO’s Representative Intangible Heritage List in 2016 as a common cultural value of Türkiye and 11 other countries.

Mesir Paste Festival

A sweet paste consisting of 41 herbs and spices, mesir macunu was first prepared to cure Hafsa Sultan, the mother of Süleyman the Magnificent, of a severe illness. It was so effective yet delicious that the Sultan ordered it to be distributed among common people.

Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition

A key part of Turkish contributions to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list, Turkish coffee symbolises much more than a simple brewing technique. It has developed over time into a rich communal traditional culture, bringing people together on special occasions, like engagement ceremonies, or just for the fun of it!

Throughout the beverage’s history, a tradition arose that sees the coffee grounds read as part of a fortune-telling custom. Basically, once the coffee is drunk, the cup is turned over on a saucer and left to cool down. Then you open it, and plenty of patterns appear before your eyes. The most common associations include animals, hearts, the moon, eyes, teardrops, and other similar symbols. They mean various things such as getting some news, getting rich instantly, good or bad luck, and happiness or sadness. Be careful, though, as this custom might get you hooked once you’ve had your first try at it.

To learn more about Turkish coffee, click here.

Türkiye’s Manisa city has a festival where people get together to celebrate this genuine product and have seen it served by a chef and his apprentices annually for the past 400 years. The festival became a part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.

For those of you who are interested in regional cuisines, here’s a link that compiles products originating in Manisa, including mesir macunu and much more.

Ceremonial Keşkek Tradition

Keşkek is a Turkish dish that consists of meat and wheat. A tradition arose that sees it prepared in huge cauldrons, namely kazan, for wedding ceremonies, circumcisions and religious holidays. The wheat is usually beaten by the youngest people of the village as the crowd cheer. It is probably thanks to this entertaining side of the tradition that reserved a spot for Keşkek in UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ebru, the Turkish Art of Water Marbling

Ebru refers to the art of creating colourful patterns by sprinkling pigments on a pan of oily, condensed water and then transferring the patterns to a special paper.

Thousands of people from different age groups and regions take part in this festival and watch wrestlers fight to win the Kırkpınar Golden Belt and the title of Chief Pehlivan. The ceremony features forty bands playing Turkish traditional instruments like davul and zurna, and the pehlivans wearing a traditional costume called kispet, thick trousers.

Here’s more information on this festival, which is listed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Semah, Alevi-Bektashi Ritual

A ceremony observed by a Mevlevi sect, semah symbolises one’s mystical connection to God and contains highly detailed elements and themes. The tradition started to be observed way later than the death of Mevlâna Celaleddin Rumî, a prominent figure in Sufism, who is most commonly identified with the moves of the whirling dervishes.

Literally meaning “the Wedding Day,” Şeb-i Aruz is celebrated on December 17 every year, on the anniversary of Mevlâna’s passing. Thousands gather at Konya’s Mevlâna Museum to commemorate him and celebrate his reunion with “his Beloved” (the God as he is commonly referred to in Sufism). Mevlâna would deem death as the time of release from the cage we call a body – and the time to rejoin God once and for all. It is for this reason people consider this custom as a festival and continue to celebrate it, offering one another gifts of all kinds.

To learn more about this ceremony which was proclaimed as a masterpiece by UNESCO in 2005, click here.

Âşıklık (Minstrelsy) Tradition

The âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition has been included in the UNESCO list for 14 years now.

The word âşık refers to wandering poet-singers who play a stringed instrument named saz and sing in weddings, coffeehouses or public festivals and celebrations. These poet-singers undertake a long apprenticeship where they learn about playing the strings and percussion instruments and oral storytelling.

Arts of the Meddah, public storytellers

The art of the meddah can be roughly defined and described as public storytelling. The performer of this art is called the meddah, and he usually tries to entertain the public with impersonations and animations.

Hüsn-i Hat, traditional calligraphy in Islamic art in Türkiye

The Hüsn-i hat is the centuries-old practice of writing letters of Arabic origin in a measured and proportional manner while taking into consideration certain aesthetic values. Traditional tools include a specific type of paper glazed with organic substances, a reed pen, pen knives, a special slab for trimming the reed pen, an inkwell, soot ink and a pen case. Many calligraphers, or hattats, make their own tools, and they play an important role in the transmission of the Hüsn-i hat tradition, passing on their knowledge, craft skills and values through apprenticeships.

Traditional Turkish archery

Traditional Turkish archery encompasses principles, rituals and social practices, the craftsmanship of traditional equipment, archery disciplines and shooting techniques that have evolved over the centuries. In traditional Turkish archery, there are different types of disciplines practised on foot and horseback. Bearers and practitioners train individually or collectively to improve their skills, carry out individual shootings and take part in competitions and festive events.

Art of Miniature

The miniature is a type of two-dimensional artwork that involves the design and creation of small paintings on books, papier-mâché, rugs, textiles, walls, ceramics and other items using raw materials such as gold, silver and various organic substances. Historically, the miniature was exemplified by book painting in which the text was supported visually, but the element has evolved and can also be observed in architecture and as an adornment in public spaces. The patterns of the miniature represent beliefs, worldviews and lifestyles in a pictorial fashion and also gained a new character through the Islamic influence.

Whistled language

Whistled language is a method of communication that uses whistling to simulate and articulate words. The practice developed as a result of the steep mountains and rugged topography of the region, which required the local population to find an alternative way to communicate across long distances. The practitioners are mainly agricultural communities who spend most of their lives outdoors.

Traditional Sohbet meetings

 Traditional Sohbet meetings play a crucial role in transmitting Turkish folk literature, folk dances and music, the village plays as well as societal values. Turkish men meet regularly indoors, especially in winter, to discuss local social and cultural issues, safeguard traditions, and encourage solidarity, mutual respect and a sense of community. Meetings may include music, dances and plays, all enjoyed while consuming local dishes.

A traditional Sohbet meeting may last until the early morning. Meetings are open to men above the age of 15 or 16, regardless of ethnicity, religion or status, with the basic requirement that members be of honest families, be trustworthy and respectful of their elders, and not gamble or display public drunkenness.