After breakfast I went over to visit Gülsüm. She was up to her tonsils with visitors coming to call before the wedding. We just had time for a short chat. She also told me the wedding would now start on Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday. It is now a three day wedding. I can see my holiday getting shorter and shorter.
On one hand, I'm looking forward to experiencing my first Turkish wedding but on the other hand, being the only "yabanci" will not make it an easy experience. I'm not sure what to expect but I imagine the family will be busy so what I'm going to do I don't know. Murphy's Law, this is the first time in four years that I'm out here at this time of year on my own. Ah well, we'll see what the next few days will bring.
As I was leaving Gülsüm produced my offıcial 'invitation' to the wedding. She considers me her big sister so my invitation was a little special.
İt soon became evident the invitation is a little more elaborate than our cards. İ was handed a plastic shopping bag and the invitation was inside. İ waited until İ got home to unwrap the parcel.
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| The "Invitation" |
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| It is fastened with a Nazar Boncuk, it protects against the "evil eye" and brings luck. |
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| Inside the parcel......... |
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| Inside the invitation.......First up, a strappy t-shirt. I love the lacy bit |
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| Pop socks, or a direct translation of the packet, thin under the knee socks! |
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| A headscarf |
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| This is the detail of the beautiful hand crotcheted border |
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| Next came the pashmina |
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| ........a hand towel. This will have pride of place in my guest bathroom. The colours match perfectly! |
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| In closer detail |
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| .........and again |
This tradition of giving gifts of food, a handkerchief, a piece of cloth is known as "recited" gifts. The Koran is recited as the gifts are prepared. They are then distributed to everyone in the village. The tradition is now dying out but it is alive and well in Türkbükü. The closer the 'invitee' the more lavish the gift.
In addition to my invitation Metin had placed flowers on the table for me and there was a wonderful note and gifts from my second group of house swappers.
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| My flowers |
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| Lake Garda looks absolutely beautiful, I need to retire so I can have more time to travel! |
I feel cherished.
Oh those are such lovely gifts and what a wonderful tradition! The fabrics are so beautiful and I can imagine the excitement you must've felt as you were slowly unwrapping your package! I'm imagining now how sacred and beautiful the ceremony would likely be. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful hand crafted gifts. I wonder what the ceremony would be like..
ReplyDeleteWow, how exciting. Absolutely stunning gifts and the detail on them were impeccable. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh my god, if that's the invitation I can't wait to hear about the wedding!
ReplyDeleteAmazing gifts, crafted with so much love and care and packed so neatly. I am waiting to hear about the wedding.
ReplyDeleteWith gifts like that the wedding is going to be fabulous! Can't wait for that post!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tradition and lovely gifts too.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I love the detail and delicacy of the things you received.
ReplyDeleteWow - I hope is not a large wedding or this could get expensive. Then again, there is no open bar to pay for - so all is well. Simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to invite someone to a wedding...I love the hand crocheted borders on the scarf and linens. It reminds me of the hand crocheted edgings on the handkerchiefs my grandmothers used to exchange...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this!
Really its also one of the beautiful concept for printing wedding invitations, an invitation with the cloth is useful and innovative method, everyone like this theme.
ReplyDelete