“Tatlı yiyelim, tatlı konuşalım” (“Let’s eat sweet, let’s speak sweet”.)
The above phrase is a traditional Turkish saying utilised when people wish to sit together and discuss pleasant things which will traditionally be accompanied by eating sweets. Traditions of Turkish, and indeed pan-Mediterranean hospitality put great meaning and significance on sharing a table even if it is just something as simple as drinking a cup of coffee in the company of another person. In this paper firstly I want to lay a groundwork by briefly outlining some definitions and ideas of the new food history and then getting into the linguistic and cultural origins of the baklava in question. This will segue into a discussion of the role of food in celebration before examining a specific case study of the Ottoman Janissary Corps in the context of the Eighteenth Century covering their relationship with the Sultanate at this time before addressing the Ramadan “Baklava Event” and its implications.
Issue 66, December 2023
Turkey’s Centenary Issue
