Ramadan welcomed in Western Thrace with centuries-old drum tradition
In the village of Şahin, located in İskeçe, a group of drummers — mostly children dressed in traditional Ottoman attire — toured the village streets following the afternoon (Asr) prayer, announcing the arrival of Ramadan.
Accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats, the children went door to door, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the village. The symbolic procession, deeply rooted in community memory, was warmly received by local residents and reinforced messages of unity and togetherness.
Cultural Heritage Passed Down Through Generations
The Ramadan drum tradition, historically practiced across former Ottoman territories, remains a living cultural expression among the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. In Şahin village, the event has become both a religious and communal celebration, strengthening intergenerational bonds.
Prayers were later held at the village mosque, where wishes were expressed for Ramadan to bring goodness, peace, and prosperity to the Islamic world and to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
The annual celebration once again highlighted the role of cultural traditions in preserving identity and solidarity within the region’s Turkish community.
