Komšija ( tr, komşu, "
neighbor") or Komšiluk denotes a neighborhood in the
Balkans
The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...
.
It was in the culture for Balkan families to serve their neighbor. Balkan neighbors or komshis had special relations between them, whether they were Muslim, Christians, or Jews. Their houses had two gates or doors, one facing the street, the other leading to the komshi. Somebody could easily arrive at the komshi gate from the opposite street without walking through a public road, people offered their komshi food from their own table. It was Balkan culture that had its origin in
Turkish
Turkish may refer to:
*a Turkic language spoken by the Turks
* of or about Turkey
** Turkish language
*** Turkish alphabet
** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation
*** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey
*** Turkish communities and mi ...
culture.
''Komshi'' is made of mutual respect, reciprocal help and assistance, work and neighbourhood relationships, and invitations to important events of a family. People engaged in a ''komšiluk'' are called ''komšije''.
References
Turkish words and phrases
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