Introduction: Ottoman Traces in Overseas Lands
In the late 19th century, as global power dynamics shifted, the Ottoman Empire sought to maintain its influence in the Islamic world. Ottoman-Zanzibar relations officially began during the Ottoman-Russian Wars fought in 1877-1878. Through these wars, the Ottoman Empire attempted to restore its waning prestige by establishing connections with Muslims worldwide. During this period, the African connections, which formed an important pillar of Sultan Abdülhamid II's Pan-Islamist policy, were symbolized by an extraordinary story that unfolded in Zanzibar.
Hacı Emin Pasha: Ottoman Envoy of Circassian Origin
"We know we are of Turkish descent, but we do not speak Turkish." Abdullah's grandfather, Hacı Emin, was a Turkish pasha who came to Zanzibar in the 19th century. Hacı Emin Pasha, of Circassian origin, was part of families that migrated after the Russian wars in the Sarıkamış region. His journey—from the Caucasus to Kars, then to Istanbul and Mecca—would end in Zanzibar.
An Extraordinary Mission: The Hajj Journey of the Zanzibar Sultan
The Ottoman Empire established official relations with the Zanzibar Sultanate during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II as part of his Pan-Islamist policy. The Zanzibar Sultan wished to undertake the pilgrimage but was unable to accomplish this sacred journey alone. Sultan Abdülhamid II's dispatch of various representatives to gather information about Zanzibar demonstrates the importance of the relations established with Muslim communities in East Africa during this period.
Sultan Abdülhamid II entrusted this critical mission to Hacı Emin Pasha. Pasha's duty was not merely to escort the Zanzibar Sultan on pilgrimage, but to ensure that he could fulfill his worship completely. This mission reflected both the religious and political dimensions of Ottoman diplomacy.
Meeting and Friendship: Agriculture as a Bridge
During the pilgrimage, the Zanzibar Sultan was impressed by Hacı Emin Pasha's profound knowledge of agriculture. At a time when Zanzibar's main industries were spices, raffia, and tourism, Pasha's expertise in agriculture was particularly valuable. This acquaintance transcended a mere official relationship and transformed into a genuine friendship.
The Zanzibar Sultan had the opportunity to observe Pasha's character, knowledge, and approach closely during the journey. Both the depth of Pasha's religious knowledge and his practical wisdom impressed the Sultan. This impression led the Sultan to invite Pasha to Zanzibar.
Settlement in Zanzibar: Love and a New Life
Upon seeing Zanzibar, Hacı Emin Pasha fell in love with the tropical island. The island's natural beauty, climate, and cultural richness captivated him. Accepting the Zanzibar Sultan's invitation, Pasha decided to build a new life there.
The most important step in this new life was his marriage to a local woman. This marriage was not merely a personal choice but also represented a bridge between cultures. The couple had children, and thus began a Turkish-Zanzibar mixed lineage.
The 99 Names of God: Mango Trees and an Enduring Legacy
Hacı Emin Pasha's most lasting gift to Zanzibar was the planting of 99 mango trees symbolizing the 99 Names of God. This project carried both religious significance and practical value. The mango trees grew quickly in the tropical climate, providing both shade and fruit.
Today, Zanzibar's most beautiful road, known as the "Mango Road," was created this way. This road became a concrete expression of Hacı Emin Pasha's love for the island and his Islamic values. The road serves as an important transportation route for both tourists and locals while also carrying historical and cultural value.
Sarıkamış Mosque: Homesickness for the Homeland and Religious Legacy
The fact that the mosque built next to Hacı Emin Pasha's grave in Zanzibar was named "Sarıkamış" shows that he did not forget his homeland or his origins. Pasha, of Circassian origin, had experienced the pain and struggle of families who migrated to Sarıkamış after the Russian wars. The mosque's name served as a reminder of both his personal history and his roots in Ottoman geography.
The construction of the mosque provided an important religious center for the Muslim community in Zanzibar. Pasha's religious knowledge and commitment to Islamic values were reflected in the community life that formed around the mosque.
Legacy in Modern Times: Abdullah and His Sister Türkiye
Hacı Emin Pasha's grandson Abdullah has lived in Zanzibar since his birth. His words, "We know we are of Turkish descent, but we do not speak Turkish," express a longing and search for identity spanning generations.
The fact that Abdullah's sister is named "Türkiye" (Turkey) is a symbolic indicator of the family's commitment to their origins. This name choice is proof that Hacı Emin Pasha's descendants have not forgotten their love of homeland and Turkish identity.
Tanzanite Stone Craftsmanship: Traditional Craft and Modern Value
Today, Abdullah works in a small shop in Zanzibar on natural stone craftsmanship with children of Turkish-Zanzibar mixed heritage. The Tanzanite stone, which is found only in Tanzania and is a thousand times rarer than diamond, is his area of expertise.
Tanzanite stone, discovered in 1967 and found only on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, is an extremely rare gemstone. Working with this stone requires both technical skill and artistic talent. Abdullah's specialization in this field demonstrates that Hacı Emin Pasha's descendants have integrated with local culture while maintaining their own identity.
Ottoman-Zanzibar Relations in Historical Context
The Zanzibar Sultanate was an Islamic state controlled by the Zanzibar Sultan between 1856 and 1964. In the late 19th century, the Zanzibar Sultanate was the most remote Muslim sultanate with which the Ottoman Empire was developing state-level relations in East Africa.
During this period, Zanzibar was an important commercial center due to its strategic position in the Indian Ocean. The Ottoman Empire maintained contact with this region through Aleppine merchants, Shadhiliyya order dervishes, students seeking knowledge traveling to Egypt and Istanbul, and envoys sent to the region on official missions.
State Intervention and Present Circumstances
"The state took the mosque from us in Dehrim's time. But today we still derive blessing from it." This statement shows how political changes in Zanzibar affected the legacy of Hacı Emin Pasha. Between 1913 and 1963, Zanzibar continued for half a century under a system where sultans nominally held the throne but were actually governed by appointed British administrators.
However, Abdullah and his family, despite all difficulties, have not severed their ties with the Sarıkamış Mosque and have continued to preserve their ancestors' legacy. This situation emphasizes the importance of religious and cultural spaces in the identity preservation of diaspora communities.
Cultural Synthesis and Identity Preservation
Hacı Emin Pasha's story reflects the experiences of people who left Ottoman territories in the 19th century to build new lives on different continents. This story is also an important example of how cultural synthesis occurs and how identity is preserved across generations.
The new life built in Africa by a Circassian-origin Ottoman pasha demonstrates the universal character of Islamic civilization. Hacı Emin Pasha created a unique way of life by harmonizing values he drew from different cultures.
Conclusion: A Legacy Not Forgotten
The story of Hacı Emin Pasha in Zanzibar is not merely a tale of individual success but also a symbolic expression of the Ottoman Empire's presence in Africa and the unity of the Islamic world. This story continues today.
Although Abdullah and his family do not speak Turkish, they continue to maintain their Turkish identity. The 99 mango trees still grace the most beautiful road in Zanzibar, and the Sarıkamış Mosque continues to preserve Hacı Emin Pasha's spiritual legacy.
This story reminds us how important the search for origins and identity is in an increasingly globalized world. The legacy left by Hacı Emin Pasha in Zanzibar, not merely material wealth, will continue to be passed down to future generations as a spiritual treasure.
The hands of Abdullah, who works with Tanzanite stones, do more than shape rare jewels; they continue to preserve the cultural heritage passed down from his ancestors. This demonstrates the importance of traditional crafts and cultural practices in the identity preservation of diaspora communities.