Bayram

Bayram is a term in Turkish and many other Turkic languages meaning festival or holiday. It denotes days of celebration, often tied to religious occasions but also used for secular or cultural festivals. The word is of Persian origin and entered Turkish and other Turkic languages in the medieval period; in Turkish it can refer to public holidays as well as more informal celebrations. In Turkish usage, bayram is commonly used for two major religious holidays observed by Muslims in Turkey: Ramazan Bayramı, also called Şeker Bayramı in some regions, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Kurban Bayramı, the Feast of Sacrifice.

Historically, these Bayramlar are public holidays with specific customs: families visit relatives, exchange greetings, and partake in special foods; on Ramazan Bayramı, sweets and small gifts for children are common; on Kurban Bayramı, animal sacrifice is performed and meat is distributed to family, neighbors, and the needy. The greetings "Bayramınız mübarek olsun" or "Bayramınız kutlu olsun" are customary.

Beyond Turkey, Bayram is widely used across Turkic-speaking regions such as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Central Asia, to denote festivals; Nowruz Bayramı is an important spring festival in several countries; Bayram is also used as a given name in Turkish and Azerbaijani cultures.