Ankara – Turkey is home to colorful cultures and a long history of communities living in a distinct manner among the rest of the country’s inhabitants. One of these communities is the Hemshin or Hemshinli. They are said to be ethnic Armenians who settled in the region of the Kaçkar Mountains. Even with their genealogical origins, they have been a part of Turkey for many years. Their members have been members of the Armenian Apostolic group, which later evolved into a unique ethnic group. However, as the people moved into their new homes in the Turkish lands, they faced struggles that have lasted up to this day. With the growing ideology that promotes “Turkey for the Turks,” what can the Hemshin communities expect?
Historical Move and Settlement
Based on reports, the ancestors of the Hemshin converted to Islam in the years from the 1890s to 1920s. This was a decision that preserved their lives as they moved from one place to the other. According to the Ottoman records, the Hemshin were Christians up to the late 1620s. However, due to the need for equality with the Laz Muslims, as well as the people’s need to escape oppressive taxation for non-Muslims, they converted to Islam. Moreover, this change in religion was brought about by an increase in the Ottoman’s intolerance of non-Muslims during that period.
The oppression also led to the Hemshin’s movement to other regions and countries. They were forced to flee to other areas in the Pontos but were still forced to convert. Through the end of the 18th century and the start of the 19th century, the Hemshin Christians continued moving to avoid conversion. This kind of situation made the diverse religious stand within families of Hemshin ethnicity. That is why, presently, the members of this ethnic group consists of a diverse community of Christian and Muslim (Sunni) people.
Language and Adjustments
When the trying years have passed and the Ottoman proclaimed religious equality, some Muslim Hemshin tried to convert back to Christianity. This reaction received negative impressions from Muslim preachers. The communities began to bring order to the situation by opening Turkish schools and through various projects of the local authorities. With the use of education to reach the core of the ethnic group’s members, most of the people lost their ability to speak Armenian. Despite this, the Hemshin people’s Armenian language influenced the Turkish language they use in speaking within the region. They gradually developed a unique identity with their own practices and even a language that is alive up to this day. It is an interesting way of keeping their distinct identity through the language that they use in communicating with others.
Even with this development, the Hemshin remains part of the ethnic minority population in Turkey. They are still affected by the ideology of Turkey being only for the Turks. As their numbers stay small, the people are keeping their heads down due to their ancestry and their lack of the “Turk” genealogy. In spite of this, there is still hope in how the members of their community continue to find ways to establish their culture, ancestry, and history alongside the Turkish majority. People just have to listen, observe, research, and work hand in hand toward ethnic acceptance.
Image from Hasan Avcı on pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/572801646337650572/
