A short tutorial from a clever African young lady with a simple and nice idea on how to Africanize your earrings. … Read more
Naht Stone Carving
The history of stone carving dates to periods of time that go back before recorded history. These civilizations are believed to have been very fascinating and astonishing races of people, e.g. The Mayans and the Egyptians. They built vast cities, majestic temples and palaces, filling them with their history and beliefs carved in stone. Some groups were known for their ceremonial centers and fortresses built of stone. The enormous, irregularly shaped stones, weighing many tons, were cut with … Read more
Village Charity Sense of solidarity, cooperation and gratitude through common meals
Village charities (köy hayırları) are traditional spreads organized in spring time where rural people come together, eat together and pray together to express their sense of gratitude, as well as creating a social space. Organized consecutively by the surrounding villages of towns (mainly Canakkale and Balikesir in the Aegean region), according to a certain calendar, village charities are an example of social and economic solidarity in addition to its religious aspect. Each year in March, … Read more
Nowruz Ancient new year celebration
Nowruz, literally meaning 'a new day' is an ancient celebration day and a ritual celebrated by many nations and communities in a wide geographical region from Central Asia to the Balkans. Nowruz is a joyful celebration for the arrival of spring as the new year in the northern hemisphere, accompanied by unique cultural colors, beliefs and ceremonies. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northern equinox, which occurs on March 21. Nowruz has deep and rich roots as a festival and ritual … Read more
Arabesque Wood work
The Arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of 'surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils' or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Within the very wide range of Eurasian decorative art that includes motifs matching this basic definition, the term 'arabesque' is used consistently as a technical term by art historians to describe only elements of the decoration found in two phases: Islamic art from about the 9th … Read more
Rug Carpets Artful creation of knotted rugs
The gradual spread of the art of the knotted carpet, over the centuries, around the globe has proved to be a hindrance in solving the mystery of its origin. However, many different carpet fragments have unearthed during excavations around the world. Strong evidence collected from the Middle East region shows that carpet weaving was extensively carried out there during the 2nd-3rd BC. Therefore, it is termed as the cradle of carpet weaving. People migrating to areas from Turkestan to the west, … Read more
Hidrellez Fusion of the land and water as summer unfolds
One widespread belief suggests that Hızır is a prophet who has attained immortality by drinking the water of life (ab-ı hayat), and who has reached God, and wanders around among people from time to time, especially in the spring, helping people in difficulty, and distributing plenty and health. Various practices are performed on Hidrellez night in the belief that Hızır will bring blessing and abundance to the places he visits and the things he touches. Food bowls, pantries, and purses are left … Read more
Tabla (Drum) A way to celebrate
The tabla is a membranophone percussion instrument (similar to bongos), used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres. The term tabla is derived from an Arabic word, tabl, which simply means 'drum.' The tabla is used in some other Asian musical traditions outside of India, such as in the Indonesian dangdut genre. Playing technique involves extensive use of the … Read more
Sufi Whirling Reconnection with the whole
Sufi whirling (or Sufi spinning) is a form of Sama, or physically active meditation, that originated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kemal. This is sought through abandoning one's nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one's body … Read more
Belly Dancing Dance for Celebration
Belly Dance takes many different forms depending on the country and region of practice, both in costume and dance style. New styles have evolved in the West as its popularity has spread globally. Belly Dance has: • Percussive movements - Staccato movements, most commonly of the hips, which can be used to punctuate the music or accent a beat. Typical movements in this group include hip drops, vertical hip rocks, outwards hip hits, hip lifts, and hip twists. Percussive movements using other parts … Read more
