Culture of the Ottoman Empire

Culture of the Ottoman Empire

Clothing in the Ottoman Empire
The laws for clothing in the Ottoman Empire were fairly strict. Women were ordered to always wear a veil and a convering for their face. Men, meanwhile, were to wear a fez, a hat that looked like a flowerpot turned upside down. For both men and women, the coverings for the head were symbols of their Muslim faith. Another customary article of clothing was a baggy pair of linen or cotton trousers.
Clothing in Modern Day Turkey*
If someone from the Ottoman Empire were to come back to their home, they would be suprised how the people now dress very differently. It is now against the law for women to wear veils and for men to wear the fez. The baggy trousers are now only worn in traditional ceremonies and out in the country. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire wanted people to modernize their ways and one way of doing this would be to make the people dress like westerners(1). Women aren't punished for wearing the veils but people regard them with cation for they are going against the government's wishes. Men on the otherhand are seriously punished for wearing the fez. All people wear casual clothes like jeans, T-shirt, cardigans and other modern day clothes.

Education in the Ottoman Empire
Education has always been an important part of the Ottoman Empire. Universities were established throughout the Ottoman Empire in most major cities. There were universities in Istanbul (Turkey), Bologna( Italy) and Athens( Greece). Primary and secondary education has been available for free through out the lands. Some private schools charged tuition.
Education in the Modern Day Turkey
Education in Turkey today still has very much the same principles. Education is completely free for those who go to Primary and Secondary school. There are additional years offered for those who wish to educate themselves further, this is offered until you are seventeen years old. There are more than 70 universities throughout Turkey. There are also 250 specialty colleges and institutions throughout Turkey as well.

Cuisine in the Ottoman Empire
The cuisine throughout the Ottoman Empire varied through out the lands. In Greece, vegetables and seafood were counted among the staple foods. In Turkey, people partook of the vegetables from their gardens or from the market. A favorite was also the Shish Kebab( chunks of lamb on skewers), as was the rice pilav. Generally speaking, breakfast was light and consisted of tea. cheese, bread, and jam. Lunch was also a light meal that was enough to hold you over until the night. The evening meal was considered the main meal of the day and could contain several courses. There were hors d'oeuvres, soups, lamb, vegetables, rice and finally dessert.(2)

This is a picture of a Turkish table spread. The Shish Kebabs and fresh vegetables are visible.

Cuisine in Modern Day Turkey
The cuisine in Turkey is very rich and the people there are proud of their ability to cook. The cuisine is still fresh vegetables and meat. The breakfast is light as is the midday meal. The dinner is considered the most important meal of the day because it is a time when the family can sit down and spend time together. People eat the continental way with their fork in their left hand and their knife in the right.

*I chose to use Turkey as the Ottman Empire of today. Turkey was the center of the Ottoman Empire, where the sultan resided, and where all the laws passed. Mnay of the influences from the Ottoman Empire are still strongly visible in Turkey today.

| Home | Economics and Trade | Terrorism |

| Rise and Fall | Architecture |

| Women |

Footnotes:

(1) Lyle, Garry. Turkey. Phileadalphia

(2) Culture Grams, Turkey, Millenial Star Network and Bringham Young University. 2000