3,400 Accredited Reservoir In Istanbul Ready To Continue Turkey's Ancient Sahur Tradition

Illustration of prayers during Ramadan at Sabanci Merkez Mosque, Turkey. (Wikimedia Commons/Stff. Alexander Cook)

JAKARTA - At least 3,400 beduk drivers from various age groups will take to the streets in Istanbul, Turkey during Ramadan, to continue the tradition of beating beduk to build people for sahur meals, the chairman of the mukhtar association said on Tuesday.

They will wear costumes dating back to Ottoman times, walking on 963 streets in 963 of Turkey's most populous urban settlements, including reading short poetry before dawn marking the start of fasting.

Selami Aykut, who heads a mukhtar federation in Istanbul who oversees the traditional reservoir of Ramadan, stated that the beduk drivers have completed all their preparations for Ramadan in Istanbul.

He explained that this tradition that has existed since the time of the Utsmaniyah era is one of the privileges of the month of Ramadan in Istanbul City.

"We are struggling to keep this tradition alive with 963 mukhtars and beduk drivers in Istanbul. Therefore, we first determine the founders of Ramadan, we are with the mukhtar, and look for clothes that are suitable for them," said Aykut, launching Daily Sabah March 21.

He further explained that several beduk drivers assigned to each neighborhood have worked in the same area for years. Aykut revealed that this tradition is often guarded generationally and inherited from father to son.

Dijelaskan olehnya, para penuh drum menjalani pelatihan sebelum memulai tugas mereka. Aykut mengatakan, peserta pelatihan yang melewati penilaian akan diberikan kartu "penambuk beduk Ramadan" dan kemudian siap untuk melakukan profesional unik selama satu bulan ini.

Stressing that beating beduk is a job and not just anyone can do it, Aykut said the public should pay attention to the accreditation of the drummers.

He underlined that the culture of beating the beduk during this unique Ramadan must be protected and preserved for future generations.

"We have to tell our children and youth about the culture of Ramadan and the beauty of Ramadan. These are our values, we have to protect them," he concluded.