Gifts of Food in Ottoman Culture
Journal: İstanbul Üniversitesi Sosyoloji Dergisi / İstanbul University Journal of Sociology
Year: 2020

Presenting food as gifts, particularly fresh fruit and confectionery, was widespread at all levels of Ottoman society on diverse occasions. Unlike expensive gifts such as silverware, jewelled objects and kaftans made of rich fabrics presented on state occasions such as royal circumcision celebrations, gifts of food were not indicators of wealth and power. They were often, although not invariably, home-grown or homemade, so had the advantage of putting the poorest giver on an equal footing with t