Culture, Food, Religion, Benefits, And Challenges In Cyprus

The country I was assigned to do was Cyprus. Cyprus has a big history and it is a small nation. I am excited to start learning about this country. In the following paragraphs, I will talk about the culture, food, my experience, religion, health benefits, and challenges.

History of the Culture

Cyprus is a country that is located south of Turkey and west of Syria (Cyprus, Infoplease). According to the website Infoplease, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. During World War 1, Britain took over the island and declared a Crown colony (Cyprus, Infoplease). In 1958, Archbishop Makarios, a Greek Cypriot nationalist leader, began calling for independence rather than union with Greece (Cyprus, Infoplease). At this time, the Turkish

Easter is the biggest holiday of the year in the Greek Orthodox faith (Albala 1231). In the Greek Orthodox, Easter is held from Thursday to Monday. On Thursday, they begin to prepare the traditional Easter bread called tsoureki and eggs with red dye (Gaifyllia). The dye symbolizes the blood of Christ. Friday is the holiest day of the week where women and children would decorate the Epitaphio with flowers (Gaifyllia). On Saturday, they would begin preparing for the Easter feast on Sunday. The traditional mayiritsa soup uses organs and intestines from a lamb and it will be eaten to break the fast (Gaifyllia). Sunday is focused on the traditional Greek Easter food. A whole roasted lamb is the main attraction of the day because it represents the Lamb of God (Gaifyllia). Easter Monday is another national holiday where they eat the delicious leftover from Sunday

According to Brief History of Herbalism in Cyprus, herbs played a big role to treat common diseases such as leprosy, malaria, skin and eye infections, and food poisoning. They used special rituals and herbs such as olive oil, frankincense, and mandrake. Cypriot physician used honey to treat urinary problems and indigestion (Tringis). Also, they used fragrant herbs such as lavender, mint, sage, and black seed to treat stomach problems and insect bites (Tringis).

History and Cultural Challenges in the United States In 1768, the Greek Cypriots arrived in the United States and settled at New Smyrna near Saint Augustine, Florida (Miller). However, the Turkish weren’t well document; therefore, they came to the United States between 1820 to 1860 (Miller). According to Countries and Their Cultures, Cypriots became American citizens in 1984 and 109 settled in New York City, 47 in New Jersey, 21 in California, 13 each in Maryland and Virginia, and 10 each in Illinois and Florida. Both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot Americans were highly educated, however, the Turkish Cypriots were often employed as physicians, scientists, and engineers