ARE CYPRIOTS A POST-COLONIAL ANOMALY?

Assyrian International News Agency
Aug 6, 2006

Recently after having a debate on the identity of Cypriots, I was
informed that Cypriots are a colonial anomaly, or deviation from the
common order of being either ‘Greek or Turkish.’ The opinion did not
surprise me as I have often witnessed Istanbulites and Athenians
hesitate when describing who Cypriots are, with many highlighting
the Britishness of the Cypriot character.

In hindsight, the British period of rule in Cyprus was important in
the sense that it coincided with several important and unprecedented
events, which unfolded simultaneously. The British period, which was
the last foreign rule of Cyprus, coincided with an advancement or
giant leap in our understanding of medicine and technology, which
bettered life for Cypriots. It was equally in this period that the
concept of political independence rose to the fore.

Perhaps one of the most significant vestiges of British rule is
language; Cypriots whether Greek, Turkish, Maronite, Armenian or Latin
usually have a good command of the language, some even imitating the
speech of colonial Etonians. Others have acquired colloquial knowledge
of the language through time spent in Britain or other Anglophone
nations. Nevertheless, this is by no means a negative trait; rather it
is a strength and skill that enables Cypriots to open up to the world.

However, we cannot alone look at the interactions between rulers and
their colonials, many people, some persecuted, immigrated to the island
leaving their own mark. Maronites and Armenians to name a few of the
well-known ones, but also Jacobites and Assyrians as well as Jews,
a subject which historian Stavros Panteli has researched extensively.

Cypriot topography too reflects the island’s long history of being
a sanctuary for displaced people from the Levantine and elsewhere.
Villages such as Komi Kebir and Kantara reflect Arabic influences;
Komi Kebir denotes large or noble estate while Kantara means ‘bridge’
in Arabic. Kandou, Gonyeli and Kaymaklý and quite possibly Gaziveren
too reflect Ottoman Turkish influences while Syrianochori and
Armenichori reflect the presence of both Assyrians and Armenians on
the island. Louroudjina, originally known as Laurentia and Bellapais
reflect an Italian influence, whilst Temblos is reminiscent of the
presence of Templars on the island during the crusades.

In culinary terms, Cypriot cuisine represents influences of Cyprus’
foreign rulers and residents. The Cypriots with their predilection
for such delicacies as Bumbar have naturally selected and kept for
themselves the most delicious products brought by their past rulers.
>>From the Egyptians, Molokhia and Kolokas were adopted, while Þamiþi
(Damascus pastry) reflects a Syrian influence. One of the few British
influences I can think of in Cypriot cuisine is the term "Verigo",
used to describe a large Cypriot grape, locally coined after a British
officer after having tasted a grape remarked "Very Good."

Equally the laxity towards religion demonstrated by Turkish Cypriots
stems not from spending time with the ‘godless’ British but again
from our diverse origins. The arrival of Alevis from Anatolia in the
16th century (who were later Sunnified) and the conversion to Islam
of mostly Latins and Maronites have instilled a more relaxed attitude
towards religion by the Turkish Cypriots.

In terms of Cyprus’ dialects, one might add that there are numerous
English influences, but Cypriots even before the arrival of the
British had a distinct dialect. Both Kýbrýslýca (Cypriot Turkish)
and Kypriaka (Cypriot Greek) reflect the islands many rulers, foreign
influences, and archaic expressions from both Ottoman Turkish and
Classical Greek. Dialect reflects one’s environment, coexistence and
varied origins.

Contrary to being a mere anomaly, many terms Turkish Cypriots use
are in fact more archaic and original forms of Turkish than Istanbul
Turkish. The Cypriot Turkish suffix –inan, which denotes ‘with’
originates from the Old Anatolian Turkish –ilan, while our preference
for Aorist tense as opposed to Present Progressive merely demonstrates
the fact that the –iyor suffix (pr.progressive) developed in Anatolia
after the settlement of Cyprus by the Ottomans. Expressions such as
"Beytambal galsýn" derive from Yoruk Turkish, a dialect spoken by
partially nomadic Turkmens living in the Taurus Mountains.

The serendipity of crossing cultures predates the British period of
rule in Cyprus and has been propitious in some cases. But the exchange
of culture brought by successive rulers is not however confined
to Cyprus; all neighbouring countries, Greece and Turkey included
have their own degree of inter-cultural contacts and exchanges. Such
cultural contacts and exchanges do not lead to an anomaly of a ‘pure
culture’ but rather it build bridges with new territories and peoples,
injecting new and perhaps better ideas and innovation.

Foreign influences whatever way it may manifest itself does not
necessarily terminate the longevity of a people, but provides new doors
of opportunities too. For the Cypriots the British period increased
the enlightenment of the populace resulting in new positions for
Cypriots. Cypriots through the British served in such places as Hong
Kong, Malaya and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), where a Turkish Cypriot man
was appointed Supreme Court Judge in Harare.

Despite the obvious influences of British rule, one cannot ignore
Cyprus’ long list of other rulers and residents. As is often the case
the British take case is highlighted as it was one of the last of
Cyprus’ rulers. Let us not also forget that the process of cultural
and linguistic influences is continuing albeit in a different form.
Today the time of colonialism may be over but Cyprus is still presented
with a profusion of foreign influences owing to its position as a
gateway to he Near East.

The relative ease at which Cypriots can now travel is bringing
different ideas and ways of thinking to the island. So too the
influence of Kurdish, Syrian and Black Sea Laz residents in Northern
Cyprus, and Sri Lankans, Thai and Russians in Southern Cyprus will
also gradually shape our culture in time. Cypriots today are the
current result of not just British rule but their entire history and
cultural contacts, but the process is far from over.

By Alkan CHAGLAR

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress