The Sidney herald., 1956-10-18

people have a little more say,
but they still must have parental
approval.
In one village where we stayed,
we were told that the average
marriage age for girls was about
10 an dior boys when they get
out of military service, about 81.
1t is possible for a boy OF girl to
refuse the parents choice, but
not usual. Ordinarily they accept
the parental decision.
The ceremony is performed by
the head of the village and is
largely legal, that is, it is not
necessarily a religious occasion as
it is at home. However, the men
may go to the mosque and pray
during the marriage celebration.
The couple must have a physical
examination beforehand and must
sign marriage certificates at the
time of the wedding.
In poorer villages the couple
might move into the home of the
father of the boy, but in the
village we are in, they move into
a new home built especially for
them by the villagers. The girl
brings the things she has made
or been given and the boy like
wise. Their friends also give
them presents just as we do in
the u. S.
In the larger towns and cities
there is much variation from this
pattern but even here, the parents
have a good deal more to say
about the marrige than in the
U. S. In more primitive areas in
Eastern Turkey, 1 am told that
quite often a boy will not see
his bride until their wedding
day. Plans are made entirely by
the parents. Also in these areas
women keep themselves entirely
covered except for their eyes.
This is true in many of the
villages we have visited. We see
only the face or the eyes of the
women. They believe that it is
against their religion to expose
any part of their body to men.
Custom is also part of the reason.
Here again we find great varia-
ton in the towns and cities. 1t is
not surprising at all to see women
walking down the street dressed
just as American women would.
The woman definitely holds a
background position in the viii
She works quite hard, often
out in the fields with the men,
besides doing the cooking and
the sewing. However, the women
have their ladies' aid sessions,
too. I've seen many groups of
women sitting together
and talking pretty fast
The coffee house is probably
he most common institution in
Turkey. There is one in practical
y every small village and several
larger villages. We have spent
a few pleasant hours in
hem talking to the villagers.
There is someone there drinking
tea or soda pop almost
very hour of the day from early
morning till late at night.
Every evening and whenever
hey aren't working, the men go
here to talk. 1t might seem like
ather a waste of time but / don't
hink So. Friends are extremely
important to the Turks and any
ime they can improve friend
hips or make friends they con-
ider it most important. Here they
ak about crops, about the wealth
r, about prices and make an
ouncements about things they
ave to buy or sell.
l find that my visits to the
give me more pleasure
nd satisfaction than anything
Sc. The people are friendly
I'D what they give, they give
ON the heart. They are sincere
nd kindhearted. There are of
,urse, exceptions to this rule,
1T they wouldn't be human if
ley weren't. / think l will re-
ember my village friends with
ore happiness than any others
have made in Turkey.
Sincerely yours,
Bill Lassey,
IFYE in Turkey.