Primary Source XXVI: An excerpt from The Ottoman Judicial Register

The History of Cyprus Podcast

According to late Ottoman historian, Ronald C. Jennings, little is known “about the places of origins of Black slaves or free blacks in Ottoman Cyprus except that their presence can be documented by the 1590s in the judicial registers from Nicosia” -- as can be heard in this excerpt. Though a very short Primary Source, it is revealing. As was common practice, they assimilated into the Turkish Cypriot community, adopting Turkish names, embracing Islam and integrating themselves into the community. Next month I interview Serap Kanay who speaks about Cyprus' historic Black Cypriot community, its place and its enduring presence. Here is the text in full:

“Raziye ibn Murid of Lefkosa made a claim against a black man named Rukan ibn Adbullah. Rukan has taken possession of 25 olive trees. Raziye has no proof of his claim. Rukan claims to have bought them from Sumbul Aga 8 years prior. Rukan is invited to take an oath which he does.

The Lefkosa judicial register, 17th century."