If you have been to South-Eastern Anatolia, perhaps you might have heard of a sıra night. A sıra night is a gathering of people for dinner – with many courses, live music and entertainment and, of course, lots of dancing. But what is so special about a sıra night? What is one like? Where are they celebrated?
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What Is A Sıra Night?
A sıra night is a celebration of traditional food and music from South-Eastern Anatolia. Sıra nights usually begin in the evening, around 7-8pm. Guests will arrive at the venue and take a seat – sometimes on locally designed pillows and carpet with short tables laid out in front, or traditional tables and chairs at the back. All guests will be facing the front and center area, where there will be a band. The band usually consists of 4-7 musicians who will sing and play some or all of the following instruments: baglama, oud, qanun, tanbur, cumbus, and violin.
Şanlıurfa – The Home Of Sıra Nights
The small city of Şanlıurfa in South-East Anatolia is the home and creation city of sıra nights. It is also, perhaps, the only place where you may find one. The idea dates back to the Ottoman era, when local men met in each other’s homes to talk through community issues, share updates, and keep social ties strong. The name “sıra” means “turn,” referring to the simple rule that everyone had to take a turn hosting. It wasn’t a fancy event—more like a weekly meet-up where people sorted out problems, made plans, and passed down local customs to younger members.
Music eventually became a consistent part of these gatherings. Urfa has always had a strong folk music scene, so instruments like the bağlama and oud naturally found their way into the evenings. The songs weren’t performed for show; they were just part of hanging out. Many of them were about everyday life—love, work, family, and the usual ups and downs. Over time, these songs helped preserve local stories and became a big part of the city’s cultural identity.
Food was always involved, but again, not in a staged way. Making çiğ köfte together became a standard part of the night. It was quick, filling, and easy to prepare for a group. The hand-kneading process turned into a small ritual, but mainly it was just a practical way to feed everyone.
In the 20th century, as life changed and homes got smaller, Sıra Nights moved from private living rooms into organised cultural spaces. By the 1990s and early 2000s, restaurants and cultural centres began hosting them for visitors as well. While some versions today lean heavily into performance, the original spirit—people gathering to talk, eat, and enjoy music—still shapes how Sıra Night lives on in Şanlıurfa.
The Core Traditions Of A Sıra Night
1. Taking Turns Hosting (“Sıra” Rule)
The name says it all. Everyone in the group takes a turn hosting the night. Historically, this kept things fair and ensured the gathering stayed social rather than formal. Nowadays, there are specific restaurants designated for sıra nights.
2. Sitting Together on Floor Cushions
Sıra Nights traditionally take place in a home or a room set up with floor seating. The idea is equality—no head of the table, no hierarchy, everyone on the same level.
3. Live Folk Music
Music is a must. Someone usually plays the bağlama or oud, and the group sings Urfa folk songs. It’s not a performance for an audience; everyone joins in.
4. Açık Muhabbet (Open Conversation)
This is basically open chat about life, local news, community issues, and personal stories. Historically, this was the main purpose of Sıra Night—keeping social bonds tight and solving problems together. However, excluding the music breaks, you may find it difficult over the music!
5. Making and Sharing Çiğ Köfte
One of the most recognizable traditions. The group prepares çiğ köfte by hand during the night. It’s practical, social, and a big part of the rhythm of the gathering. A mixture of fine bulgur, tomato and pepper paste, a lot of spices, and fresh herbs. In its original form, it included raw minced meat, but due to health laws and modern preferences, it is now forbidden to create meat çiğ köfte for commercial purposes.
6. No Alcohol (Traditionally)
Classic Sıra Nights do not include alcohol. The vibe is focused on conversation, music, and food, not drinking. Some modern venues for tourists do serve alcohol, but this isn’t traditional.
7. Respect and Etiquette
Younger members show respect to older ones, speak in turn, listen, and help with serving food. It’s a low-key way of teaching local manners and community values.
8. Ending With Music or a Folk Poem
Many Sıra Nights wrap up with one last song or a short folk poem (gazel), closing the evening on a calm note.
What To Expect
You can expect the music to be LOUD (really, really loud). While it may sound overwhelming to foreign audiences, the local population are attuned to the volume from weddings and other events. The music is also heavy folk music – usually with one singer who will be singing folk songs in Turkish or Kurdish. Some of the songs are local from Şanlıurfa and some are well known songs throughout the whole country. They may also play songs from other regions in Turkey, depending on the audience.
You will aslo be served too much food – from soups, salads, kebab, dolması and çiğ köfte as well as Turkish tea, Ayran (yoghurt drink) and sweets!
The audience, while seated, will often get up and dance throughout. They will dance traditional dances such as Şanlıurfa Halayı, Delilo and the Çepik!
Do You Want To Experience A Sıra Night?
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