IMPRESSIONS OF CONTEMPORARY TURKEY
by J. Strouse
INTRODUCTION
After spending five weeks in Turkey during the summer of 1998 1 feel I can
offer some general impressions of the country and the people. Keep in mind that these are
only my personal impressions of Turkey and nothing more. Though many of these thoughts
have been shaped through lectures and conversations with a variety of leading experts on
Turkey, I am not an Ottoman scholar, an expert on Islam, or fluent in Turkish. My
impressions may not be entirely correct, and they might well (and legitimately) be
challenged by those better informed than me. Having made this disclaimer I want to add
that I did grow very fond of the Turkish people, the culture, the life style, the food and
the landscape and feel that I have learned a lot during my stay in Turkey. I know that my
teaching will be peppered with stories and anecdotes rooted in my experiences in Turkey
during these five weeks.
IMPRESSIONS
Rural and urban, European and Anatolian, developed and developing, modern and
traditional, or secular and religious these are but a few of the many different
perspectives that one feels, sees and hears about in Turkey.
On the streets of big cities in Turkey (i.e. Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir) one might
commonly see a woman wearing the latest in contemporary fashion standing next to a woman
of similar age who has chosen, in following strict Islamic teachings, to cover her head. A
villager in a field surrounded by his sheep may well be talking on a cell phone.
Turkey is indeed a social, cultural and geographical bridge between Europe and Asia Minor.
The one constant I found in all of the diversity characterizing contemporary Turkish
society is the deep pride people invariably expressed in their Turkish roots and
traditions. The hospitality of Turkish people toward guests is one tradition that exists
in abundance throughout the country.
Interactions with others and maintaining good relationships is emphasized in Turkish
culture. For most Turks, fostering good relationships is an essential part of getting
things accomplished. Group affiliation is very important to Turkish identity and is
often determined by the family, school or work group to which people have strong
attachments. Turks, in contrast to Americans, appear to be more accepting of hierarchical
relationships and structures.
It is difficult for me to think of a country other than Turkey that is less well
understood in the USA. Sadly and incorrectly, most North Americans lump Turkey with that
amorphous area we call the Middle East. To begin to understand the significant differences
between Turkey (which is about 98% Muslim) and the rest of the Islamic World, one must
understand that Turkey became a Republic in 1923.
 | Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, "Father of the Turks", planned and
established many reforms, both secular and western in nature. Ataturk abolished the
political and religious Sultans and Caliphs in favor of a secular state. The present
Constitution was adopted to provide for freedom of religion, and Islam assumed a
religious, non-political role. Veils and the fez were outlawed, a civil code was adopted,
and a Gregorian calendar. the Latin alphabet and the metric system were instituted.
Women were given voting rights. Turks are rightly proud of this legacy and Ataturk is
still held in high esteem. His photograph appears everywhere Throughout the country, in
offices, shops, and public buildings as well as in private homes.
SUMMARY
These impressions obviously are limited in their scope and depth. Nevertheless, they
reflect for this writer the compelling and energizing blend of the traditional and the
contemporary that, in this visitor's view, makes Turkey a truly unique and wonderful
cultural experience.
RESOURCES
|
| Abadan-Unat, N. Women in the Developing World: Evidence from Turkey.
Denver, CO: |
| University of Denver Press. 1986. |
| Brislin, R., Cushner, K., Cherrie, C., and Yong, M. Intercultural
interactions: A Practical Guide. |
| Beverly Hills. CA: Sage Publications. 1986. |
| Hacettepe University. 1988 Turkish Population and
Health Survey. Ankara: Turkey: institute of Population Studies.
1989. |
| Kinross, L. Ataturk. New York, NY: William Morrow and Co. 1965. |
| Mernissi, F. Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in a Modern Muslim
Society. New York. |
| NY: John Wiley and Sons. 1975. |
| Tekeli, S. Women in Modern Turkish Society: A Reader. London, |
| England: Zed Books Ltd. 1995. |
| White, J. Money Makes Us Relatives-. Women's Labor in
Urban Turkey. Austin, TX.- University of Texas Press. 1994.
|
