Like most of his Anatolian peasant neighbours, Ahmet was of middle height, strong, muscular, and deeply burned by the sun. My companions entered the house with me, since it is the custom of Anatolian hospitality for a peasant's welcome to his physician to include all who arrive at the door with him.
In the villages of Anatolia the people have a high regard for doctors, and particular for the professors of the clinics, of the Ankara University. They make virtual pilgrimages to Ankara to consult physicians of the State's Model Hospital, often traveling for days by horse-drawn cart, by donkey, or on foot. There they are given advice and every care without cost.
Women Now Permitted to Greet Guests
In deference to Anatolian custom, we took off our shoes before going into the living room, at the door of which the women of the household greeted us. This courtesy would not hold greeted us. This courtesy would not have been possible before the time of Kemal ATATÜRK. Mohammedan custom then did not permit such freedom to women.
Meticulously clean, the trampled earthen floor was covered with kilim rugs. The wall, with two small windows, was taken up by a low pillow-strewn divan. In one corner were piled thin wool mattresses, carefully folded, together with coverlets and pillows filled with wool of the good local sheep. Melons, grapes, and peppers hung by strings from the ceiling, and on the window sills were squashed.
Ahmet directed us to place on the divan, seating the men first. He and his family then sat around us on the floor, same with crossed legs. After everyone had taken his place, the Turkish word for "How are you?" went around the each guest. All of us asked the same question on reply, and new neighbours kept coming in to bid us "A joyful welcome!" To each greeting we replied in Turkish, "We have found joy".
Women Now Permitted to Greet Guests
In deference to Anatolian custom, we took off our shoes before going into the living room, at the door of which the women of the household greeted us. This courtesy would not hold greeted us. This courtesy would not have been possible before the time of Kemal ATATÜRK. Mohammedan custom then did not permit such freedom to women.
Meticulously clean, the trampled earthen floor was covered with kilim rugs. The wall, with two small windows, was taken up by a low pillow-strewn divan. In one corner were piled thin wool mattresses, carefully folded, together with coverlets and pillows filled with wool of the good local sheep. Melons, grapes, and peppers hung by strings from the ceiling, and on the window sills were squashed.
Ahmet directed us to place on the divan, seating the men first. He and his family then sat around us on the floor, same with crossed legs. After everyone had taken his place, the Turkish word for "How are you?" went around the each guest. All of us asked the same question on reply, and new neighbours kept coming in to bid us "A joyful welcome!" To each greeting we replied in Turkish, "We have found joy".
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz