Village Bread Baking Project

Most, if not all, traditional societies follow divisions of labour based on the sexes. This is also true for the Marmaris-Datca Peninsula where men go hunting, plough the fields, punch the almonds out of the trees, and cut old trees, while women reap. However, interestingly, olives are harvested by women. Also, in sharp contrast to everywhere else in Turkey, tending a coffeehouse or herding cattle can be done by men and women alike in this region.

A typical women's job on the Marmaris-Datca Peninsula is baking bread. Traditionally this is a social happening. Village women gather around the oven of one neighbour to bake bread communally, to make efficient use of the heat of one oven at a time. They use their ovens in a rotating system.

Unfortunately, nowadays the healthy village bread is gradually being replaced by so called "city bread". In other areas of Turkey, the disappearance of this rural socialising among women has already been witnessed. This is why the "village bread baking project" was started. Not only to enlighten travellers about the customary way of life, but also for the social and physical well being of the villagers. It is hoped that this project might motivate the village women to continue their valuable tradition.

How does it work? When you sign up for this activity, you are sent to a host family. You'll have breakfast and start to talk "tarzanca", which means to talk with hands and feet (unless you know Turkish).You'll help with gathering wood, heating the stone oven and preparing the dough. You'll have lunch and get an opportunity to see other homemade products like inlaid olives, olive oil, almonds and herbal tea. When the dough is ready and the oven warm, you'll bake the typical round village bread. Of course, you can buy some and bargain for other homemade products. And be sure that more than the tip of the veil of traditional village life will be lifted for you.

8.00 - 9.00: Transfer to the village
9.00 - 9.30:  Acquaintance with the family
9.30 -11.30: Preparing the dough and oven
11.30 - 13.00:  Lunch and baking of the bread
13.00 - 13.30: Transfer to hotel