In the Bodrum district of Muğla, the '7th Nartugan' celebrations, where a 4,000 year old tradition is kept alive, witnessed colorful images.
The Festival of Rebirth, known as Nartugan, is celebrated every year on December 21, when the longest night will be experienced. According to an ancient belief, day and night are in constant warfare. After this war, with the longest night, the days start to get longer and the sun begins to appear more prominent, and Nartugan (Nardugan) is celebrated on that very day! It is believed by the Turks that the new year comes every year after 21 December, based on the lunar year. On this special day, delicious meals are cooked, pleasant conversations are made and gifts are given. The tradition of Nartugan, which is celebrated in a colorful and enthusiastic way in many cultures, is carried on with great enthusiasm on 21 December every year.
Nartugan is a special holiday symbolizing rebirth. This holiday is welcomed and celebrated with enthusiasm and excitement in the Turkish world. There is also a character named 'Ayaz Ata' in this holiday, which is still celebrated in many cultures. Ayaz Ata, who is identified with Santa Claus, is known as the hero who appears in the cold of winter according to mythology.
Moreover, it is believed that 'Ayaz Ata' was at the beginning of the legend of Santa Claus. Although the name Nartugan reminds the symbols of pomegranate in terms of its pronunciation, a different meaning draws attention here. Pomegranate means sun and tugan means newborn. In other words, this special day, which means 'the rising sun', is very valuable for the Turks.
In this context, a Nartugan event was held in Gündoğan District with the support of Bodrum Municipality. The event started with a marching band in front of the symbolic Gundogan Nartugan statue.
Within the scope of the event, the citizens, who had fun around the fire, accompanied by music after the march of the band, tied colorful rags to the symbolic tree of life and made a wish.
Another address of the events was Kumbahçe. Rebirth Day was celebrated around the fire lit in the 7th Nartugan events held in Kumbahçe Square this year. While there were handcrafted products, food and beverage stands in the square, citizens made wishes by tying pieces of cloth to the trees in the square. While Kumbahçe Culture Social Facility Trainees Folk Dance Team played local dances, Alana Eda Johnson gave a mini concert. Bodrum Stars Dance Group, Bodrum Uğur Anatolian High School dance performances, Anka Dance Group, Derya Ünver Dance Company Dancers, Bodrum Culture Tourism Solidarity Association Folklore team, Sage Erbane Group and Kumbahçe Sunset local dances staged. Ashura, keskek and Bodrum tangerines, which are the symbols of fertility, were served to the participants of the event.
Bodrum Kumbahçe District Headman Nil Taşkıran said, "Nar-Tugan means 'sunrise' in ancient Turks. With the end of the longest night on December 21, the sun and light starting to grow on December 22 means a new year, the beginning of a new life. Karia Cultural Heritage Events This year, as Ayşe Temiz and Kumbahçe Headman, we are organizing the 7th. Welcoming the new year, Nar-Tugan, is a new year, the last day of the full moon, the celebration of the transition of the longest night to day.” said.
Source: T24