A Turkish Ritual
In Şirince, we were drawn to the din of drums and music in the street and followed the sound. We were surprised to find a large group of people dancing around a young boy dressed in white silk robes, sat atop a horse. As we watched, fascinated by the spectacle, a Turkish grandmother pulled us over to join in with the dancing. When there is music, you dance! Men and women took turns to perform choreographed steps to well-known traditional songs. This was obviously a very important celebration.
It turned out to be the young boy’s sünnet party; his transition to manhood. It is an occasion for the community to come together and celebrate the boy’s circumcision. He was no more than 8 or 9 years old.
In contrast to our own culture, where circumcision is a private, almost secretive affair; in Turkish culture this is a special event, celebrated very publicly. It is a custom that is deeply rooted in the Turkish psyche, and strictly observed. The procedure is carried out on boys before puberty, and still performed openly in front of family members at home (although more and more these days the operation will take place at a hospital).
This significant ritual stretches back into the ages, and is an integral part of Turkish culture and identity. It is the duty of the boy’s parents to arrange this ceremony, and affirms a family’s respectability in the eyes of the community. The boy is treated like a sultan for the day, showered in gifts and attention. On this particular day a camera crew was in tow to record every moment of this coming-of-age event.
Rituals exist in all cultures; actions of specific purpose marking important events in our lives. They reflect the diversity of the human experience, helping to motivate us, foster communal identities, and create kinship. And while the Turkish ceremony of sünnet may seem bizarre to some, for others it is utterly normal. Rituals are an essential part of the human condition.