The Multicultural Magnificent Century

I have lately gotten very intrigued and impressed by this TV series Magnificent Century (Mutesem Yuz Yil). It is a pity that the TV series is already approaching to the end of Sultan Suleiman's reign and that my favourite character, Hurrem Sultan has just deceased in the last episode.

Interestingly, the series has only caught my attention when I become aware of the fact that it has attracted myriad foreign fans who wax lyrical about this series; from the arabic speaking countries, The Balkans and Eastern Europe. Naturally, as this part of Ottoman history is closely related to this region.

My first impression before knowing how much educational information this TV series has to offer about the Ottoman Empire (with variations of course, albeit useful), was the beautifully designed Ottoman style apparels, especially those for women. Secondly, the appearance of familiar sights in Istanbul coming to light every now and then gives me a different feelings towards some artistic achitectures such as the Hagia Sophia and the Suleimaniye Mosque. The most importantly though, this TV series made me understand why the sparkling history of Ottoman Empire remains the biggest pride in the hearts of all Turks – with its ever expanding terrain, cultivating culture, replete national treasury account.

I also become acutely aware that the Ottomans are very welcoming to foreign culture, at least on the royal level. Hurrem Sultan, originally a captured slave by the Tartar, sold from Poland (today's Western Ukraine) to Crimea and then to the Ottoman palace to be one of the consort amongst many, eventually ascended to be the legal wife of the Sultan; Pargali Ibrahim Pasha, originally a Venezian, captured and sold to the Topkapi palace by pirates, became the closest advisor of Suleiman Sultan as well as the grand vizier to the Ottoman Empire. This trait is also largely depicted in its policy towards non-Islamic nations in the conquested lands – with more than 80% Christians in the Ottoman Europe, the empire introduced National system (“Millet”) and portrayed itself as the protectors of multiple nations, where all nations are allowed to practice its own religion and implement rules accordingly. This high level of freedom and pluralism was far more advanced in comparison to the European counterparts who remained struggling with religious persecution right up to 1900s.

Knowing more about history. I have the inclination to believe that together with hardwork and right policies, a country with such shimmering and majestic history will be again on the rising and achieve comparable level of success in the near future. Development in Turkey in the past decade is persuasive and convincing. Discussing on a very non-academic level, with personal experience as a “yabanci” (foreigner), I see vast changes in open economy, increased import / export and the elevated level of interest towards foreign culture. I am looking forward to more positive development there is to come, with optimism.

1 May 2014, Ankara

Mother and daughter-in-law (Gelin – Kaynana…)

If I'm allowed to be a little "girly" in my column this issue, and open the notorious topic of a semi-taboo subject:  Mothers and daughters-in-law.

As an alien, you may, or may not have heard of the stories around in the neighbourhood; or, have seen relevant women TV shows aired on media at the tea-time hours; or even amongst friends you know who has later on become a part of a Turkish family.  Although acutely aware that this is a social phenomenon all over the world, I cannot help but think it is quite common in Turkey, especially having witnessed how influential its magnitude can reach in families.  I reckon if we all know more about the cause and reasoning of it, we ought to know how to cope better with it ourselves, or be better at giving advice to friends and families when needed.

You may not even imagine that there were some world-known mothers-in-law who has left their marks in history, here I wish to share what I found:

Bona Sforza, born in 1494 in a powerful family that ruled Milan, was married to King Sigimund I of Poland.  She was not fond of her daughter-in-law, who died two years into her marriage to Bona's son.  The son married again with Barbara Radiwill, the second wife, who "succumbed to her illness" five months into her marriage – One might argue this is nothing to do with her, a bit tricky though.

Princess Sophie of Bavaria, born in 1805, convinced the husband to give up the throne so that her son would become the King; then chose a wife amongst her sisters' daughters, Elizabeth, to be the queen.  Elizabeth gave birth to a prince 10 months into the marriage, then portrayed by Princess Sophie as a "Bavarian Goose" and "silly young mother" and named the baby prince after herself.  Elizabeth was not allowed to look after her own baby, nor the three other children that came after.  Elizabeth later on suffered from destroyed marriage together with depression, anorexia and bulimia.

Sara Roosevelt, born in 1854, mother of Franklin Roosevelt.  First she attempted to persuade Franklin to abandon the beloved distant cousin Eleanor by taking him on a cruise trip, then after knowing that the couple will marry, gave the newlywed couple this generous wedding surprise gift:  a townhouse in Upper East Manhattan's area nicely decorated with her likings.  Yet – adjacent to another townhouse that is inhibited by herself with connecting doors, corridors and floors!

To be fair though, these intensive stories I have not encountered in Turkey.  Yet, they induce a motive to investigate and understand the rationale behind.  To this front, Dr. Terri Apter has written a very interesting paper (see footnote 1) that analysed main conflicts amongst mothers and daughters–in-law, which helps to explain reasons behind these conflicts.  These includes valuing the son's comfort more than the one of daughter-in-law; the wish to take on the role to be the "woman" in both her and her son's family; never let go to "baby" the son; all are rooted from the mother role so imprinted in them.

I personally find it soothing and comforting to understand that although the "means" to display such "end" (fully shouldering the role of a mother) are not really pleasant to experience.  Nevertheless, knowing that the underneath intention, it might be a little easier to display empathy; having in mind that the daughter-in-law are in fact having more common grounds than disagreement with the mothers-in-law, better solutions may be worked out and compromised. 

21 February 2014

The day before the big storm.... Ankara

Footnote 1) Mothers-in-law and Daughters-in-law: Friendship at an Impasse, Dr. Terri Apter, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge