UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List: Cultural treasures of Türkiye

Meddah

• Meddahlik is a traditional Turkish storytelling performance.
• A single storyteller uses a cane and handkerchief to narrate stories with impersonations and animated scenes.
• Stories are often improvised, reflecting current political and social events and audience preferences.
• The cane is used for sound effects and to represent objects or characters in the story.
• Few scripts of past Meddah performances exist because it is an oral tradition.
• In 2008, the art of Meddah tradition was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

Mevlevi Semah Ceremony

• The Mevlevi Semah Ceremony is a Sufi ceremony symbolizing the path to God.
• Originally practiced without strict rules, it was formalized during Pir Adil Çelebi's time.
• The ceremony is accompanied by Mevlevi music and includes sections: eulogy, ney transition, overture, Era of Sultan Veled, and four salutes.
• Whirling symbolizes observing Allah from all directions.
• Foot tapping represents resisting ego desires.
• Hand gestures signify receiving abundance from Allah and distributing it.
• The Mevlevi Semah Ceremony was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2008.

Âşıklık (Minstrelsy) Tradition

• Âşıklık is an Anatolian cultural heritage where artists recite poems, tell stories, and engage in oral duels while playing the saz.
• An Âşık (minstrel) is a versatile artist who reflects daily life, ethics, and aesthetics.
• Common forms include Atışma (oral duel of wit) and Leb Değmez (reciting poems without using certain letters).
• In Atışma, minstrels try to outwit each other.
• In Leb Değmez, minstrels recite poems without using specific letters, with a pin between their lips.
• The tradition of Âşıklık was included on the UNESCO list in 2009.

Nevruz (Nowruz)

• Nevruz, also known by various names, is a New Year celebration observed across regions from Central Asia to the Balkans.
• Celebrated primarily by rural farming and animal husbandry communities around March 21, it signifies a wish for prosperity.
• It marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes rebirth, hopes, and future expectations.
• Celebrations involve cleaning, wearing clean clothes, decorating streets, flying kites, egg tapping, and bonfire jumping.
• Nevruz was included on the UNESCO list in 2009.

Karagöz

• Karagöz is a shadow theatre involving cutouts of humans, animals, and objects animated on a screen with light from behind.
• Legend says the art began when Sheikh Küşteri animated figures of Karagöz and Hacivat to console a regretful Sultan who ordered their execution.
• It is based on humorous dialogues and wit between characters.
• Karagöz, a tactless character, misunderstands others, leading to comical conflicts.
• Karagöz made it to the UNESCO list in 2009.

Traditional Sohbet Meetings

• Traditional Sohbet Meetings are gatherings for men to promote social solidarity, especially in winter.
• Common forms include Yaren Teşkilatı, Sıra Gecesi, Gezek, Kürsübaşı Sohbeti, Barana Sohbetleri, Cümbüş, Delikanlı Örgütü, and Yaran Sohbeti.
• Attendees are expected to be punctual.
• The chief directs conversation, manages group relations, and enforces rules.
• Activities include folk dances, games, music, and eating.
• Traditional Sohbet Meetings were included on the UNESCO list in 2010.

Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival

• Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling is considered Türkiye's ancestral sport and one of the oldest wrestling festivals.
• The annual competition lasts seven days, starting each July.
• Wrestlers wear leather tights called ‘kıspet’ and are oiled with olive oil.
• The winner is named Başpehlivan (Chief Wrestler) and receives a golden belt.
• Three consecutive wins earn permanent ownership of the belt.
• Key figures include the Kırkpınar Ağası (organizer), Cazgır (announcer), Yağcı (oiler), and Peşkirci (towel holder).
• The Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival was included on the UNESCO list in 2010.

Semah, Alevi-Bektaşi Ritual

• Alevi-Bektaşi Semah is a path to God performed in Cems (gatherings).
• It involves mystical body movements with words, folk poems, and music, often with the saz.
• Semah's variations reflect Anatolia's rich cultural heritage.
• It has three sections: Ağırlama (Welcoming), Yürüme (Walking), and Yeldirme (Wind Raising).
• Prayers are said in front of a Dede (spiritual leader), with hands raised towards the sky.
• The Semah, Alevi-Bektaşi Ritual was included on the UNESCO list in 2010.

Ceremonial Keşkek Tradition

• The Ceremonial Keşkek Tradition represents collective labor and sharing.
• Keşkek is a ceremonial dish of wheat and meat, cooked in cauldrons through collective effort.
• Meat and wheat are ground together before cooking, constantly stirred with rhythmic movements.
• It is served at ceremonies like circumcisions, weddings, religious events, and memorial services.
• Implements used are made of natural materials and preserved for years.
• The Ceremonial Keşkek Tradition was included on the UNESCO list in 2011.

Mesir Macunu Festival

• The Mesir Macunu Festival in Manisa has a 400-year history, coinciding with Nowruz.
• Legend says Hafsa Sultan recovered from illness after taking a paste of 41 herbs prepared by Merkez Efendi.
• Hafsa Sultan ordered the paste to be distributed annually from the Sultan Mosque.
• The paste includes ingredients like black seeds, mustard seeds, coconut, saffron, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, and more.
• Chefs pass down their preparation techniques through generations.
• The Mesir Macunu Festival was included on the UNESCO list in 2012.

Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition

• Turkish coffee culture originated in the 16th century with the opening of coffee shops in İstanbul.
• Coffee brewing tools became artistic, integral parts of the culture.
• Turkish coffee has unique flavor, grounds, and foam, served with chocolate or Turkish delight.
• It is a gesture of hospitality during guest visits and special occasions.
• The proverb "A cup of bitter coffee cultivates a memory of friendship for forty years" highlights enduring hospitality.
• Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition was included on the UNESCO list in 2013.

Ebru: Turkish Art of Ebru (Marbling)

• Ebru (marbling) originated in Central Asia around the 13th century and came to Anatolia through Iran.
• Calligraphers developed Ebru to its current form during the Ottoman era.
• Ebru involves creating patterns with color pigments on water and transferring them to paper.
• It requires special materials like Kitre (herbal gum) to thicken water, natural color pigments, and Öd (ox-gall) for pigment dispersion.
• Types include gelgit, taraklı, hatip, bülbülyuvası, and çiçekli.
• Ebru: The Turkish Art of Marbling was included on the UNESCO list in 2014.

Traditional Craftsmanship of Çini-Making

• Çini-making is an ancient tradition in Anatolia since the 12th century.
• Çini refers to decorated household crockery made by firing and glazing clay.
• Techniques include Minai, Polishing, and Luster.
• The craft is passed down through master-apprentice relationships.
• Embellishments feature geometrical, animal, and plant figures symbolizing beliefs.
• Lower parts are dark blue or white, while upper parts are green, red, blue, and turquoise.
• The traditional craftsmanship of Çini-making was included on the UNESCO list in 2016.

Flatbread Making and Sharing Culture

• Turkish cuisine features exceptionally tasty flatbreads, with local names like lavash, yufka, and katyrma.
• These breads are common across Central Asia, Western Asia, and Türkiye.
• Yufka is made from wheat flour without yeast and baked on sheet metal.
• Lavash is made with yeast and baked in a tandoori oven.
• Flatbreads are made collectively for special events and possess a cultural significance.
• Flatbread Making and Sharing Culture was included on the UNESCO list in 2016.

Spring Celebration: Hıdrellez

• Hıdrellez is a shared cultural heritage of Türkiye and Macedonia, celebrated on May 6.
• It commemorates the re-awakening and renewal of nature.
• It involves storytelling, shows, rituals, festivities, and social practices.
• These traditions aim to invite prosperity, fertility, health, and happiness for the year.
• Hıdrellez unites people and is celebrated in many cities.
• Spring Celebration: Hıdrellez was included on the UNESCO list in 2017.

Whistled Language

• Whistled language uses whistle sounds to simulate and articulate words.
• It is used in the mountainous Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye for communication.
• The language helps simplify daily communication for people living far apart.
• It is estimated to be used by over 10,000 people.
• It demonstrates cognitive richness and cultural diversity and is protected.
• The Whistled Language was included on the UNESCO list in 2017.

Heritage of Dede Korkut: Epic Culture, Folk Tales and Music

• Dede Korkut Culture includes wisdom, parables, stories, musical narrations, and written works.
• Stories emphasize generosity, compassion, hospitality, and courage.
• They promote social solidarity and peaceful social life.
• Stories are transmitted orally by minstrels and storytellers, and through social practices by women and children.
• Two books "Kitâb-ı Dedem Ḳorḳud Alâ Lisân-ı Tâife-i Oğuzân ve Hikâyet-i Oğuznâme, Kazan Beğ ve Gayrı" containing the stories have survived.
• Its culture is evident in ceremonies like child naming, weddings, and mourning across a broad region.
• ‘Heritage of Dede Korkut: Epic Culture, Folk Tales and Music’ was included on the UNESCO list in 2018.

Traditional Turkish Archery

• Traditional Turkish Archery has evolved rules, practices, and rituals.
• Equipment is made using time-tested methods.
• Teachers are called ‘masters’, learners are ‘talip’ or ‘kepazakeş’, bow makers are ‘kemanger’, and arrow makers are ‘tirger’.
• Types include on-foot and on-horseback archery, with sub-types like ‘kıgaç’, ‘tabla’, ‘puta’, and ‘menzil’ shooting.
• Horseback archery demands balance and horsemanship.
• Training sessions often resemble festivals.
• Traditional Turkish Archery was included on the UNESCO list in 2019.

Traditional Intelligence and Strategy Game: Mangala

• Mangala is a traditional intelligence and strategy game from Ottoman and ancient Turkish culture.
• It has various names like ‘Köçürme’, ‘Kümelek’, ‘Dokuz Kuyu’, ‘Kuyulama’, ‘Yalak’, ‘Kale’, ‘Çakıldak’, ‘Çukur’, and ‘Hane’.
• Players gather pellets from pits on a board or ground.
• The person or couple with the most pellets wins.
• Thanks to federations and clubs, it is played in tournaments.
• Still played in tournaments and festivals today thanks to the federations and clubs that keep the game alive, Mangala maintains its cultural status as an ancient intelligence game.
• It is the only intelligence game on Türkiye's UNESCO list.
• Traditional Intelligence and Strategy Game: Mangala was included on the UNESCO list in 2020.

The Art of Miniature

• Miniature art is a key branch of Ottoman art, depicting stories through painting.
• Practitioners are called ‘nakkaş’, ‘müsavvir’ or ‘şebihnüvis’.
• Artists paint on paper glazed with egg white, using organic dyes applied with feathers.
• Outlines are drawn with ink, and mid sections are colored with organic dyes.
• Common themes include ceremonies, weddings, hunting, and landscapes, reflecting daily Ottoman life.
• Miniatures serve as historical documents.
• The Art of Miniature was included on the UNESCO list in 2020.