It is possible that, if you have ever been or are thinking of going to Turkey you have seen a strange phenomenon, or that you have noticed it in one of the many Turkish series that have captivated us: throw water at the one who leaves. When the Turks are gathered it is tradition that when a person leaves, water is thrown on the path they pass by with a bucket, jug, glass or any container on hand. This bizarre tradition has been typical of the country since time immemorial.
Water is thrown on their backs because water is supposed to make their journey smooth and uneventful. In Anatolia it represents a wish that the other person can return soon, something like “su gibi git, su gibi gel”, which means “go smooth as water and come back just as easy”.
It is an act that is done by superstitious motives. With it you want to give good luck to the person who undertakes your path, to give good luck and come back soon. A superstition whose origin remains uncertain. But it probably has something to do with those difficult times of war and famine. You never knew if you would see the person who was leaving again. Therefore, wishing him good luck became a general practice.
But since living in flats has become more common now, seeing people throwing water out of the window has also become normal. They are lazy to go down with their visitors, so they are fired from the top of their buildings, sometimes without noticing who is coming. That is why in Turkey it is advisable to look up when you walk, to avoid getting soaked by someone else’s farewell.
Source: Lasexta
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
