How Turkish Nomads Lived in Tents and Their Unique Lifestyle

Turkish Nomads

If you’ve ever seen nomads, also known as Gypsies, in movies or TV shows, you may have noticed that they lived in tents and had unusual clothing. 

As it turns out, their lifestyle was quite different from what we have today in the Western world, even though the ways of the Turkish nomad are becoming rarer and rarer each year. The following article will reveal how these nomads lived in tents and how their unique lifestyle differed from ours today.

An overview of how nomad life was

Living as a nomad was not an easy life. They had to move from place to place to find water, grass, and other necessities for survival. 

In order to do so, they would pack up their tents, animals, and belongings (often including the family's children) and then head out for days or weeks at a time. These nomadic tribes practiced various lifestyles which changed depending on the region they were living in.

 How Turkish Nomads Lived in Tents and Their Unique Lifestyle

The reasons for seasonal moving

The nomadic lifestyle was a defining element of Ottoman society. In the summer months, many Turks would migrate from Istanbul to villages in Anatolia. The main reason for this was because of the better climate. In addition, during the summer months, there were plenty of animals to hunt for food. 

In wintertime, it became too cold to continue living out on the plains and so they would head back toward Istanbul or other towns with warmer climates.

Materials used in constructing yurts

Yurts are a type of tent that nomads use to shelter themselves from the elements. They are constructed using animal skins, felt, and sticks. 

Yurts have a circular shape with a conical roof that is angled to let water runoff while keeping the interior dry. The walls of the yurt are made up of long pieces of cloth or felt sewn together. This cloth is then coated with cow dung for insulation purposes.

Rugs, kilim, arches, and tassels

Turkish nomads live their entire lives on the move. They are constantly moving from one area to another, usually with the seasons of the year. 

However, they take some parts of their living style with them. For example, they take their rugs, kilim (a type of rug), arches, and tassels with them wherever they go. This is because these items are considered essentials for every nomad's home.

How to keep warm inside a yurt

It is important to know how to stay warm when living in a yurt. Here are some tips on how you can do so: 

 - Place animal skins or wool carpets over the floor of your tent. Wool is natural insulation that will keep you warmer than other materials. - Hang animal skins on the walls of your tent or place blankets on top of the bedding at night. The blankets will help insulate your body heat and keep it inside the tent with you.

The typical day of a yurt resident

Nomadic life isn't easy. The yurt dweller wakes up before dawn to milk the cows, feed the goats, and feed the horses. After that, they prepare breakfast for their family. 

As soon as everyone has eaten, it's time to go out into the desert with the herds of animals. There is a lot of work to be done so there is never a dull moment when you're living in a yurt!

Common Customs in Yurt Dwellers

Yurt dwellers typically lived in a family unit that consisted of grandparents, parents, unmarried children, married children, and their families. There were no private rooms so beds were positioned around the perimeter of the yurt. 

It was customary for women to sleep on the right side of the yurt while men slept on the left. People slept on sheepskins or mats made from a straw because they were more comfortable than sleeping on bare ground. In some areas, people slept outdoors during the summer months to enjoy the fresh air.