What is Turkish Tradition?

We call the written and unwritten rules that we inherited from our ancestors as custom. Tradition; unwritten, traditional laws and rules in a society. It is also used to mean law or court, especially in the vernacular. In ancient Central Asian Turkic societies, the formation of custom could take place in three ways: The rules set by the kagans, the decisions taken in the congresses, and the rules of custom and tradition that gradually emerged spontaneously within the society, i.e. "Yosun Law". Tradition had a sanctity as a set of values and rules that bound every member of the society, especially the kagan and the top rulers, and that everyone was obliged to follow. While some conditions and rules of the custom were unchangeable, others were subject to change over time. Each succeeding kagan would proclaim a new custom.

Turkish custom constitutes the most delicate and fine texture of the Turkish cultural structure. It is a cultural structure that liberates all races and religions, regulates individual and social relations, binds personal discipline to authority, and ensures national peace, solidarity and unity. In general terms, Turkish Tradition tells us what we need to know from "Ancient Turkish History".

In Turkish tradition, the place, order and duties of each individual in the society are determined by certain rules. The institutionalization of Turkish states and armies has always been based on this code. In addition, in Turkish tradition, for the well-being of the society, acts or actions such as begging, drunkenness, vagrancy, unskilled, ignorance, laziness were considered 'vices' and were not accepted by the society. The sine qua non of the Turkish nation was to be a virtuous person and to choose a virtuous lifestyle. Those who acted contrary to this could not be respectable people. Perhaps for this reason, as in the Gokturk State, reformatories (a kind of finishing school) were established for such people in the Ottoman period. Rather than ostracizing such people, there was a will to integrate them into society. In Turkish tradition, the state existed for the nation. All resources were distributed impartially and equally, regardless of religion, ethnic identity, etc. 

How did the Turks ensure the compliance of individuals with traditions?

The actions and rules that many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fulfill in today's world, we Turks have turned into traditions in our time. Turks were a community, a nation that loved nature. Plants, water and air were not harmed. Ecological balance was given importance, and they tried to comply with the requirements of natural and healthy nutrition with useful foods with the assertion that a sound head is in a sound body. The majority of Turks practiced physical activities, which we call sports today, as part of their daily lives. This is because Turks attached importance to being physically strong. Turkish men were respectful towards women. Men and women had equal rights in the family. Monogamy was culturally based. In Turkish tradition, clothing was worn seasonally according to the weather and according to Turkish customs and traditions. Turks preferred colorful clothes and seasonal natural colors were given importance. Black colored clothes were preferred only on days of mourning.

Being trustworthy, hardworking and an expert in their field were considered important qualities among the Turks. Turkish customs overlapped with the "universal" moral values of all other tribes and nations of the world. It is known that Turks bathed together in water sources. Making love was no more shameful than killing a man. Sexual harassment would never happen, no one would dare or even think about it. Because, according to custom, very severe punishments were applied. Stealing and damaging state property could never happen because; according to the Turks, state property was known as the property of the nation, it was sacred. Damaging the state, lowering ideals, devaluing moral values, not keeping secrets were punished in the same way. The biggest secret was the state secret. 

Justice was very important in Turkish tradition. Justice was seen as the foundation of property. That is why the Turks founded the greatest states in the world. Punishments were very clear in Turkish tradition. They were known and strictly applied by all members of the society. When a Kurultai was convened, a member of the clan could ask the Kaan to account, make requests and wishes. Because every Turk knew the traditions and their wishes would be in this direction. The ruler would give short and clear answers to these criticisms and avoid hiding behind ambiguous expressions. The ruler and the ruled worked shoulder to shoulder in punishment and were responsible to each other. Although this was the case in the early Ottoman period, as time progressed, the situation became the opposite. While this was the case until Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, afterwards the sultanate took its place in the palaces. 

In the ancient Turks, the doors of their houses facing the east and the sun were not locked. Theft was not common. Because the punishment was very severe. In the Turks, the Hakan would distribute his private wealth equally to the people at certain times. Crime in ancient Turks: "honorable crime" and "dishonorable crime". When a member of the dynasty who violated the Turkish tradition was sentenced to death, he was strangled with the bowstring of his own bow. This was the case even under the Ottomans. The penalty for dishonor and unchastity was death. 

Since the family was the smallest unit of the state in Turks, this institution was very important. Respect for the elder, compassion and love for the younger were indispensable for the family. When family ties weakened, it was thought that the future of the state would be in danger. Starting from a very young age, parents would teach the rules of honor and everything they knew to their children and take care that they were practiced. Professional ethics was very important among the Turks, nowadays they call it ethics. Any individual who acted honestly for the benefit of the society would be encouraged. Such individuals were promoted to the ruling class. An individual who behaved in a selfish manner, regardless of his class or age, was excluded from society. No one would talk to him or her, they would not even let him or her at their table. He would be ostracized by the tribe. 

Turks respect every belief. Belief is a personal thing. Under Turkish rule, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Shamans, etc. lived happily according to Turkish customs. Turks have seen all the powers based on religious exploitation collapse. Tradition does not forgive religious exploitation. Religious officials do not interfere in politics. By the way, let us hum a poem by Ziya Gökalp together:

A country in whose mosques the call to prayer is in Turkish,

The peasant understands the meaning of the prayer. 

A country where the Quran is read in Turkish in school,

Everyone, small and great, knows God's commandment

O Turk, that is your homeland. 

From a very young age, children were taught Turkish customs. They were made aware of exactly what to do in peace and in war. The kings gave all their orders consciously. Beys were chosen among the brave and wise. 

Turkish tradition means a sense of responsibility starting from a very young age. It is based on service to the nation and respect for people in state service and human relations. People who are dignified, dignified, serious, do not talk too much, speak little and concisely when necessary, are cold-blooded, do not get angry suddenly, are brave, moral, determined, loyal to their word and duty, disciplined, do not lie are raised. 

In Europe, individuals say "Turkish word?" in their mutual relations. They know that the Turkish word can be trusted. Obeying the orders of one's elders is an essential element of Turkish tradition.

Turks established all their states with this custom, and when they broke the custom, they collapsed. The reason for the current situation we are living in is the deteriorating Turkish family structure and moral system. That is why I say "you cannot rise to the sky without going down to the roots!" The test of the Turk is only with the Turk. Therefore, this nation must remember its Turkishness and live like a Turk in accordance with the Turkish tradition. 

With respect and love