The Washington times., 1901-07-21
TRADES UNIONS IN TURKEY.
Special Privileges and UsnSes Dat
ing From Past Centuries.


Special Privileges and UsnEes Dat
ing From, Past Centuries.
Many once wealthy and important es-
nafs or guilds found their occupation
gone-or at least considerably diminish
ed-on the abandonment of the ancient
Oriental splendor of dress and equipmen at
and the adoption of Western military uni
forms and weapons of warfare which
have distinguished the nineteenth CEN
tury. Trade guilds are, however, still
very numerous in southeastern Europe,
and especially in Constantinople. where
representatives, of all the various crafts
and callings practced in the empire are
to be found. each having one or more
lonjas-lodges or clubs-in every quarter
of the city and suburbs. Each esnaf is
presided over by several officers called,
respectively. according to their rank,
shieks, naibs oustas. and kiayas-or pres
idents, vice presidents, superintendent.
and inspectors-who are annually elected
by the members from among its own
master craftsmen, and these officers are
recognized by the Government, which
holds them responsible for the good be-
havior of their fellow guildsmen.
\ few esnafs possess large revenues or
enjoy peculiar privileges granted by va
rious sultans in hygone centuries in re-
turn for services rendered at some i'm
portant crisis. Among these are the
shoemakers, who have special officers en-
powered to Judge and punish all Offend
ers belonging to their fraternity without
the interposition of the legal authorities.
This extraordinary privilege was, it ap-
pears. conferred upon them in the six
teenth century by Suleiman IL, The
Magnificent" This sultan on one occas-
ion greatly incensed with the ever-turbu-
lent Janissaries, who. in sign of revolt,
had as usual overturned their camp ket
ties, swore that with the help of the shoe
makers only he would break their rebell-
ious spirit. The Padishah's words spread
with lightning-like rapidity through the
streets of the bazar occupied by the shops
of the Papaoutchdjis. who, rapidly as
sembling from every lonja in the city,
presented themselves armed before the
Serai, an army OF 40,0O0 men, shouting the
Moslem war cry. Allah, Allah,' The
Sultan gratified by their loyalty and zeal
in his service, received their officers in
audience bade them name their own re-
ward, and granted the four privileges ask
ed for of which the above named was one.
the barracks of the Janissaries. these in
soIent troops were SO dismayed that, in
the words of a seventeenth chronicler,
they were ready to eat not only their
soup. but their very trenchers."
The apprentices to the various trades
are. when proficient, recommended by the
master under whom they have served
their time to admission to the guild of
# inf, hoy lx
admitted on engaging to observe its rules
and paying the customary fee. 1t is usual
on these occasions for all present to pro-
ceed forthwith to some favorite spot in
the neighborhood of the city, where the
rest of the day is spent in feasting and
merry making Some guilds are COM
posed entirely OF Moslems, as certain
callings are exclusively in the hands of
the ruling race; others entirely of Chris
tians. Many, however, include adher-
ents Of both creeds. and as members of
the same esnaf Christians and Moslems
allied by an esprit de corps and by trade
interests, pull together much better, and
evince mutually a greater liberality of
feeling than is generally displayed In the
social relations of Greeks and Turks At
their al fresco festivities, which are also
held annually in honor of the patron saint
of the guild, the greatest harmony pre-
walls. The amusements INDUCED in after
the conclusion of the midday repast in
clude a variety of juggling and acrobatic
performances, wrestling matches. and for
the Greeks the syrtos horos-the Tong
drawn" classic dance-during the execu-
ton of which their Turkish fellow crafts
men, seated on rush-bottomed stools in
front of rustic coffee-nouse, with long
stemmed tchibouks or bubbling margh-
ilehs, passively enjoy their kaif.
Every esnaf has its own special tradi-
tIonal laws and usages which are not less
binding than is its kanoun, or written
constitution, and the social customs and
mode of life of their members afford In
many instances curious and interesting
illustrations of native manners among la
boring classes. OF these the boatmen
may be instanced, naturally a very nu-
merous body in so water-girt a city as
Constantinople. The ranks of this esnaf
are largely recruited among the youths
who come in great numbers from Asia
Minor to seek their fortune in the capital
Half a dozen or more Of these hekiars, CT
bachelors" as they are termed, live in
common in some numble lodging, paying
fixed sum per day per week to an old
mai who acts as their steward and cook,
and also as their counselor and aTbiter
in any disputes that may arise in such a
mixed household. Their relations with
the master boatmen. to whom they serve
long apprenticeship, are also of quite a
filial character.-The Leisure Hour.