Circassian Dancers
Istanbul has always been a refuge for millions who have fled famines, wars and persecutions all throughout its history.
Istanbul has hosted Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1492, the Circassians who fled the Russian persecution in 1864, the white Russians who fled the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Istanbul is now also a refuge for millions of Syrians who fled the Esad regime and now a home to Russians and Ukrainians who fled the war.
My grandmother was an heir to a Circassian family who fled the Russian persecution and found a home in the Ottoman Imperial Capital Istanbul.
My great aunt Nevrestan Hanım and my paternal grandmother Nezihe Hanım
A Circassian family fleeing the Russian persecution at the end of the 19th Century
The Circassians have a traditional song called Yistanbulako meaning Istanbul in their mother tongue. It is a song of grief. A grief of leaving their home country and travelling to a far away city of the unknown: Istanbul.
A famous Turkish singer Sevval Sam who also has her roots in Circassia sings it beautifully.
The lyrics say:
‘The roads to Istanbul are crooked and I have left my beloved behind.
They are taking us to Istanbul.
My little brother prepares the horse carriage and brings it to our door step.
My little young sister with her beautiful hair,
All our innocent children follow me on my way.
Our flag surges in the wind
Who brings us news of home?’
Now, the grandchildren of all the displaced people of Circassia have a home here in Istanbul as millions of other nationalities that have created a second home in this city. All of us have become a part of the fabric of this city but ironically we recognize each other intuitively. Maybe by the features but also by the manners.
Let’s lend an ear to the beautiful interpretation of this song of Istanbul composed by my ancestors. A song in which they imagined a far away city, a city they were taken to.
Note that the video is embedded via YouTube and all rights belong to the respective rights holders.
