The Two Bayram Festivals
The writer explains that Muslims in the Ottoman Empire celebrated two important religious festivals each year. He calls these celebrations Bayram, which is the Turkish word for a religious festival or holiday.
The first festival takes place immediately after the month of Ramadan and marks the end of the annual fast. Today it is commonly known as Eid al-Fitr or Ramazan Bayramı in Turkey. The author compares this festival with the Christian celebration of Easter because both follow a period of fasting. However, the two festivals have different religious meanings and origins Kukeri Carnival.
The second festival occurs about seventy days later. Today it is known as Eid al-Adha or Kurban Bayramı. During this festival, Muslims remember the willingness of the Prophet Abraham to obey God and perform acts of charity by sharing the meat of sacrificed animals with family members, friends, and people in need.
Celebrating the Holiday
According to the writer, both Bayram festivals lasted for three days. During this time, people stopped their normal work, visited relatives and friends, exchanged gifts, and enjoyed food and celebrations together. Families gathered to strengthen their relationships, while children especially looked forward to the joyful atmosphere.
The author suggests that these festivals gave people an opportunity to rest after long periods of religious devotion. This reflects his own interpretation of the purpose of the celebrations.
The Beginning of Bayram
The passage explains that the end of Ramadan was determined by the appearance of the new moon. If clouds prevented people from seeing the moon, the beginning of the festival might be delayed by a day. When the sky remained cloudy, the new month was calculated according to the expected course of the lunar calendar.
In Constantinople (modern Istanbul), the arrival of Bayram was announced with the firing of cannons from the area of the imperial palace overlooking the sea. At the same time, the special lamps that had decorated the mosque minarets during Ramadan were no longer lit, marking the end of the holy month. Drums and trumpets were also played in public places, creating an atmosphere of celebration throughout the city.
Ceremonies at the Ottoman Palace
The writer is especially interested in the ceremonies held inside the Topkapı Palace, which he calls the Seraglio. During Bayram, the Ottoman Sultan received high-ranking government officials, military commanders, and court officers in carefully organized ceremonies.
The author observes that every movement during these ceremonies followed strict rules. Officials knew exactly where to stand, when to bow, and how to greet the Sultan. Even small gestures were performed according to long-established traditions. These ceremonies demonstrated respect for the Sultan and reflected the order and discipline of the Ottoman court.
The Author’s Observation
The writer concludes that these formal ceremonies challenged the common European belief that the Turks lacked manners or courtly customs. Instead, he found that Ottoman court life was highly organized and governed by detailed rules of etiquette. Although his work reflects the opinions of a seventeenth-century European observer, he expresses admiration for the dignity, precision, and ceremonial order that he witnessed in the Ottoman palace.