Before converting to Abrahamic Religions, Turks, believed that there was a tree (Akçaçam, a species of pine) growing from the middle of the ground and all humans come from this tree which is called “The Tree of Life”. Tree is as high as the sky itself. On this tree there is a palace where protector of all humans, god Ulgen sits with his robed and bearded image, rules over the day, night and the sun. This tree can be seen as a figure in carpets, pottery and most art objects of the time.
For Turks, movement of the Sun was very important. To their beliefs, on 22th of December when days get longer, day and night fight over domination. In the end of the day, the Sun comes triumphant as having beaten the night. This day celebrated as “revival of the Sun” and known as Nardugan Bayramı or Nardugan Beyremi (Festival of Nardugan).
Nar = Sun, Tugan - Dugan = birth, Nardugan = Birth of the Sun – Rising of the Sun
This tradition is still alive among some Turks. The festival is celebrated under Akçaçam tree with prayers to god Ulgen to thank him for giving back the Sun. Gifts are left under the tree for him to accept prayers. Wishes are made by tying pieces of clothes to branches of the tree. According to beliefs, wishes are always accepted. For the festival, houses are cleaned, good clothes are chosen and worn. Singing and playing various games under the tree are the activities of the festival. Old members of the families are visited and whole family eats together. Besides the dry and normal meals, various sweets are made for the night. It is believed that if the food is eaten with whole family and lots of guests, their life gets longer, happier and luckier. A lot like Christmas dinner don’t you think?
In the land of Jesus, Palestine, Akçaçam tree was unknown. It is said that the Huns, raiding the Europe brought the tradition with them and passed it to the locals. In the time of Emperor Constantine (224-337) the council gathered in the modern day city of İznik, the “pagan” festival celebrated for the revival of the Sun accepted as the birthday of Jesus and the date is changed to 24th of December. The Catholic Church instead celebrates on 25th of December. And the tradition of tree decoration started at 1605 in Germany and from there spread to France.
Translated by: Duna Anos
Illustration: Mehmet Siyah Kalem
