This usually means rising very early in the morning -about 3.30 am -to have something to eat and drink. Those that have trouble getting up at this time (read 'my dear husband') are helped along by a person that goes around the streets banging a loud drum. Then no eating or drinking between dawn and sunset for 30 days. This year is a little harder than most - the long Summer days are still with us - that is about 16 hours fasting!
When the days are nearing their end people rush home or to their neighbours, family or friends to share Iftar - the breaking of the fast when sun sets. Our local Friday market closed a little earlier than usual and people queued for the special bread pictured (that we know as Turkish Bread - I love it!) that is eaten during Ramadan. A sense of anticipation filled the air.
At Senol's family's house some extra special cooking is done, then set out on the table and everyone gathers around and waits for the call from the local mosque. Then the fast is broken with a glass of water and eating a date. Then some of Senol's mother's cooking (which is extra impressive given that she is not even able to taste test it while she cooks!) and finished off with yummy sweets and tea.
The main point of the fasting is for people to understand how it feels to be poor, to go a long time without something to eat. It's also a special time for gathering with family and friends.
4 comments:
my friends actually celebrate ramadan and i always give them credit for all that fasting! i have never fasted before for a day in my life, so i don't know if i could pull it off nearly as well as they do!
We thought we would be smart (?) and go and do grocery shopping last night and then head to Istinye Park around iftar time and grab something from a place Kenan likes. Little did we know (or think) that there would be long lines of people queueing to break their fast! Needless to say it was an anxious stressful wait for him!
Oh, my . . . I haven't had breakfast yet and that bread is almost driving me to distraction! I just love your blog and a little peek into a different culture.
Thanks for the update. I love your illustrations and also love the insight you give us to your life in Istanbul, it is fascinating :-)
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