CIRCUMCISION CEREMONIES AT THE OTTOMAN PALACE

Circumcision is widely practiced in all Islamic countries. Festivities pertaining to circumcision vary according to the regions and civiliza tions. In this report, circumcision festivities at the Ottoman Palace and the socioeconomic importance of the tradition are presented. The O ttoman circumcision technique is discussed, as are the miniature paint ings, in manuscript, written on the occasion of the circumcision of th e sons of the Sultans. Because these festivities involved the particip ation of all classes of the society and all professions they contribut ed to social and technical progress and led to developments in art, mu sic, sports, and ideas. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company