During Our first day exploring Bodrum harbor we spied a line of people at a food truck dispensing small dishes of Lokma, little round dough balls deep fried and soaked in sweet syrup or honey. We joined the quick moving line, and as we neared the truck I was informed that they were free. I later came to learn that forty days after someone passes, the relatives and friends cook large quantities of Lokma to distribute to passersby who recite a prayer in honor of the deceased.
Later we heard music, and presumed that a band was marching through a nearby street. As we ran off to investigate, we came upon our next encounter with Turkish traditions. A young boy dressed in white, like a little sultan, on a horse being led through our neighborhood with several musicians in tow. As it turns out we were witnessing a boy on his way to his circumcision and the grand party which follows. In Turkish culture, the circumcision at a later age between 7 and 9, represents the important passage from boy to man, and the day of the 'sunnet' is cause for a huge celebration for the family, friends and neighbors.
A short clip of the little sultan on his special day:
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